Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

This is the BEST Creamy Italian Pasta Salad recipe! It’s been my go-to pasta salad for years and it’s always such a hit with my entire family. This recipe is my favorite side dish to bring to summer picnics, potlucks, or get-togethers, but it’s also delicious as a hearty weeknight dinner! And as a busy mom of 3, I love that this recipe comes together entirely in one bowl in under 25 minutes. Wins all around!

Why You’ll Love This Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

• Simple – No complicated ingredients, but super impressive taste! The Italian dressing is made with just a few ingredients, and everything gets tossed together in one big bowl.
• Bold Flavors – Tangy and herby, with mild and sharp cheeses and salty meat, you will love how good every bite tastes in this Creamy Italian Pasta Salad.
• Filling and Satisfying – With 24 grams of protein in each serving, this homemade pasta salad is filled with vegetables, meat, cheese, and a creamy Italian dressing making it a balanced one-dish meal!
• Versatile – Serve this pasta salad as a quick lunch, or weeknight dinner, or take it as a side dish for a picnic. You can also switch out ingredients to make it your own.

Creamy Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing

After making this amazing Italian Chopped Salad and sharing my Italian Dressing Recipe, I knew you guys would love this pasta salad version, too! It’s so easy to make and the dressing makes everything so flavorful and creamy. It’s perfect for the hotter months of the year!

I love having quick, easy recipes that don’t require my oven and are still full of nutritious and filling ingredients. Make this for a weeknight dinner, or take it to share at a gathering of friends or family. Everyone will love it!

Love Pasta Salad? Try my Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad or Barbecue Ranch Pasta Salad!

Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients

Pasta Salad

The ingredients in this recipe are simple and easily switched out with your preferences. Here is what you’ll need:

• Pasta – I love using bowtie or farfalle pasta (opens in a new tab) for pasta salads. It’s so pretty and has a great texture to it. I suggest using a large shaped pasta so the pasta is similar in size to the other ingredients in the salad. Chickpea or lentil pasta are also great for higher protein! Cook the pasta until it is just al dente.
• Grape Tomatoes – Grape tomatoes are the perfect size and flavor of veggie for a pasta salad. Sub with cherry tomatoes or snacking tomatoes if you cannot find grape tomatoes.
• Mozzarella – Mozzarella pearls are tiny balls of fresh mozzarella. You don’t need to chop them or anything, just toss them in! Another option would be to use a ball of fresh mozzarella torn or cut into small pieces.
• Parmesan Cheese – Salty and nutty, shaved parmesan is so good in this pasta salad.
• Sharp Provolone – Provolone is typically a very mild Italian cheese, but sharp provolone has been aged giving it a stronger, delicious flavor. Substitute it with havarti or asiago or just add more of the other cheeses.
• Uncured Salami – I prefer uncured salami because it doesn’t contain the additional artificial nitrates and nitrites that are used to preserve traditional salami. I also prefer the flavor! Feel free to sub with the salami of your choice, chicken, shrimp, or roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian salad.
• Kalamata Olives (opens in a new tab) – Briny, tart, and bold – you will love the surprising flavor they add to the pasta salad. For a milder olive flavor, use black olives.
• Red Onions – Fresh red onions add a slightly sweet onion flavor to the pasta salad. You can substitute with shallots for a similar flavor.
• Fresh Basil – Fresh basil is the low-key superstar of this recipe! It brightens everything and brings such a freshness to the recipe.

Italian Dressing

• Olive Oil – As the base of the dressing, olive oil has the best flavor, but you can also use avocado oil for a lighter flavor.
• Dijon – Tangy and creamy, the mustard flavors and it helps emulsify the dressing.
• Italian Seasoning (opens in a new tab) – A basic mix of Italian herbs, it seasons the dressing perfectly.
• Red Wine Vinegar – You can use champagne vinegar (opens in a new tab) or white wine vinegar as a substitute in the Italian salad dressing.
• Mayo – The small amount of this healthier mayonnaise (opens in a new tab) in the pasta salad adds the creamy part of the salad and helps the Italian dressing coat each and every ingredient. You can substitute it with vegan mayonnaise (opens in a new tab).
• Salt/Pepper

TIP: The amount of dressing this recipe makes is perfect for this pasta salad, but it is SO GOOD and you may want to have some ready in your fridge to use. Follow this Italian Dressing Recipe to make a full amount!

How to Make Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing

It doesn’t get much easier than the few steps it takes to make this recipe. Here’s how to make Italian Pasta Salad in under 30 minutes:

1. Cook and rinse the pasta, and whisk the dressing in a medium bowl.
2. Add the cooked pasta salad and other ingredients to a large bowl (opens in a new tab).
3. Drizzle the dressing over the entire salad.
4. Stir all of it really well until everything is coated evenly.
5. Serve immediately or pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy!

What to Serve With Italian Pasta Salad

I love serving Italian Pasta Salad with easy side items, like toasted baguettes, sourdough bread, and soup. This pasta salad can also serve as a side dish to a main dish! Here are a few ideas for how to pair Italian Pasta Salad:

• Dairy-Free Tuscan Chicken
• 4-Ingredient Potato Soup
• Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini
• Mushroom Cauliflower Pizza
• Stuffed Cabbage Soup

How to Store Creamy Pasta Salad

Have leftovers? Store this pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days! It’s best not to freeze this recipe, as the ingredients are best served fresh.

More Healthy Pasta Recipes

• Taco Pasta Casserole
• Vegan Pasta Bake
• One-Pot Bolognese Rigatoni
• Healthy Chicken Alfredo (Cauliflower Sauce)
• Baked Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese

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