Antipasto Pasta Salad
I’ve always been a huge fan of antipasto spread so I created a pasta salad recipe to resemble all those yummy flavors. I make pasta salads all summer long, so needless to say, I need some variations to keep it fresh.
Wondering what is antipasto?
Antipasto is a traditional Italian dish that comes at the beginning of the meal. You will most often find ingredients like cured meats, cheeses, olives, pepperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, and fresh garden vegetables. It is usually spread on a platter with a drizzle or a side of oil and vinegar.
Tips, Ingredients Substitutions and Recommendations
Homemade dressing vs store-bought: you can definitely buy a container of Balsamic Vinaigrette (or an Italian dressing) and make it nice and easy. Or, you can shake up a few ingredients in just a couple of minutes right at home and have it taste so much better! This homemade dressing recipe is SO simple and it uses inexpensive pantry staples that you may already have on hand. And remember, the better balsamic vinegar you get, the better the whole dish will taste.
Substituting Italian seasoning mix: Most Italian seasonings on the market have the same general mix of basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, and sage. I also like to add parsley and thyme. So grab as many of these herbs as you have in your pantry and mix them about 1/2 tsp each. (Although, I find rosemary a bit overwhelming so I add less rosemary than others.)
Need to make it gluten free? Simply use your favorite gluten free pasta. Remember, leftover gluten free pasta dries quicker so make sure to eat the leftovers within 1 day, or two at the most. You WILL need to add more dressing so make extra and store it separately! (Check the deli meats to make sure they are gluten free as well.)
Make Ahead and Storing Suggestions
Make ahead: You can definitely make pasta salad ahead of time just DO NOT mix it with dressing. You can mix all of the ingredients for the pasta salad and the mix ingredients for the dressing in a separate containers. Pasta tends to soak up oil and vinegar like a sponge so if you dress is ahead of time, the salad will be dry.
Storing: Store leftover pasta salad in an air-tight food storage container, in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it should last for 2-3 days. Pasta will soak up a lot of the dressing so you can always add more dressing when enjoying the leftovers.
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Antipasto Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini or fusilli
- 2.25 oz sliced black olives drained
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoncini peppers can substitute banana peppers
- 1 1/4 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz chopped artichoke hearts
- 8 oz chopped salami
- 8 oz mini fresh mozzarella cheese balls or chopped fresh mozzarella
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning*
- 1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp salt more or less to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to the package instructions, drain, and cool completely before mixing in the other ingredients.
- Dice all the other ingredients for pasta salad while pasta is cooking and cooling.
- Combine pasta, cheese, salami, olives, artichokes, peppers, and tomatoes in a large mixing bowl and mix well.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 2 hours.
- In a small jar with a lid, combine oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and shake vigorously for a few seconds. Pour over the pasta salad and mix everything together.
- Serve right away.
Video
Notes
Make this salad without the dressing the day before and store it covered in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend making it any more than 1 day before to that tomatoes don’t get wilted and other ingredients stay fresh. Store: store leftover pasta salad in an air-tight food storage container, in the refrigerator. Pasta will soak up a lot of the dressing so you can always add more dressing when enjoying the leftovers.
Nutrition
More of Our Favorite Pasta Salad Recipes
Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles in June 2012.
Categories:
Backyard BBQ Recipes, Italian Dinner Recipes, Pasta Recipes, Salad Recipes, Side Dishes,All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
This is the perfect dish for a summer meal! It’s filling and delicious and comes together in a snap. The leftovers are even better the next day!
I am so happy you liked it!
This was a great antipasto pasta salad to make for our cookout. Everyone asked for the recipe and we will definitely be making this easy side dish often.
Made this for a cookout and it was a hit!
Hi. Do you use fresh or dry herbs for the italian seasoning?
This looks like the perfect side for a bbq. Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
Rachel
adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com
Oh my goodness, going down the ingredient list making my mouth water. I have to make this, it’s got everything I love! Thanks for sharing!
Visiting from Whimsically Homemade!