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    Home ≫ Salad

    Easy Italian Pesto Pasta Salad

    Updated January 8, 2022. Originally Posted August 7, 2020 By Nikole This post may contain Amazon affiliate links.

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    small white bowl with pasta salad and text overlay
    close up view of pasta salad with text overlay as title
    close up view of pasta salad with text overlay as title
    close up view of pasta salad with text overlay as title

    This Easy Italian Pesto Pasta Salad is full of your favorite Italian flavors like salami, tomatoes and olives. The pesto dressing makes this classic cold pasta salad dance in your mouth! This dish is ready in about 30 minutes and is sure to become a family favorite!

    white bowl with a pasta salad in it, red and white striped towel on right side

    Why you'll love it

    It's quick and easy! I love being able to get a yummy dinner on the table in 30 minutes don't you? Whether you've had a long day at work or working from home, you'll love how easy this dinner comes together.

    It's made with easy to find ingredients! It's easy to keep these ingredients on hand so you can put a quick and simple together like this. If you have to make a quick run to the grocery store, you won't have any trouble these these ingredients.

    It's full of Italian inspired flavor! The flavor in this salad is addicting. It's savory with a just a hint of sweetness from the addition on honey (or sugar) in the dressing. Add the creaminess of the fresh mozzarella, the saltiness from the olives, and the smokiness from the salami and you've got a serious treat for your tastebuds.

    Ingredients

    overhead view of the labeled ingredients on a baking tray

    Step by Step Instructions

    Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain in a colander then let cool on a large baking sheet fitted with parchment paper.

    boiling pasta and cooling pasta on a baking sheet

    Make pesto dressing and set aside. Chop salami, olives, and tomatoes.

    collage showing dressing ingredients and chopped olives, tomatoes and salami on a cutting board

    When pasta is cool, add to a large bowl. Add chopped ingredients and pesto dressing.

    chopped ingredients in a large bowl with dressing being added

    Gently toss pasta together with other ingredients. Add mozzarella balls. Toss to combine. Season with salt and fresh cracked pepper.

    mixing ingredients with pasta and adding mozzarella balls

    Expert tips and variations

    Use any short pasta type like bowties, macaroni, or penne.

    Use any variety of tomatoes. I love the sweetness of cherry and grape tomatoes, but you can use garden, Romas, or homegrown.

    Use green or Kalamata olives instead of black.

    If you don't have fresh mozzarella, you can use part skim mozzarella (the kind that comes in a block). You can cube it or shred it. Feta is also a nice substitution.

    Can I make this Easy Italian Pesto Pasta Salad ahead? You can make this recipe ahead two ways. One: you can make the entire recipe and store in in the refrigerator until ready to use. For best results, let it stand for about 30 minutes before serving. If you don't have 30 minutes, just drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over the salad and lightly toss.  Two: make the salad but don't add the dressing until ready to serve.

    Double the pesto salad dressing to have over green or to freshen up the salad after being stored in the refrigerator.

    close up view to show the salad ingredients mixed with pasta

    More Salad recipes to try

    Try this Italian Dressing Pasta Salad made with bottled Italian Dressing, green beans, and pine nuts.

    This Mexican Pasta Salad is perfect when you're craving that Tex Mex flavor.

    This Greek Pasta Salad is one of the most popular recipes on The Travel Palate.

    Rotisserie Chicken Salad is a favorite any time of the year.

    call to action -did you make a recipe? leave a comment and a star rating below-i love hearing from you!

    a white bowl with the finished recipe with a kitchen towel draped next to it

    Easy Italian Pesto Pasta Salad

    Recipe by Nikole Berg
    The Best Italian Pasta Salad has to be easy and delicious! This simple classic version is just that and made with salami, tomatoes, olives and mozzarella cheese and drizzled with pesto dressing. Served cold, it's the perfect summer dish.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Appetizer, Salad
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 8 cups
    Calories 491 kcal

    Equipment

    Salad Servers

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 12 oz. package tri-colored spiral pasta
    • 6-8 oz. salami sliced into thin strips
    • 6 oz. can black olives halved or whole
    • 10 oz. carton of grape or cherry tomatoes about 2 cups; quartered
    • 20 small mozzarella balls whole or halved
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Pesto Dressing

    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
    • 1 tablespoon prepared pesto store bought or homemade
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • Pinch fresh ground pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a large stock pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside on a large baking sheet to cool.
    • While pasta cooks, cut the salami, olives, tomatoes, and mozzarella balls.
    • When pasta is cool, add it to a large bowl. Add salami, black olives, tomatoes, and mozzarella balls. Pour dressing over and toss to combine.
    • Add salt and pepper to taste.
    • Serve at room temperature or refrigerate and serve cold.  Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil to refreshen salad after being chilled.

    Pesto Dressing

    • Add all ingredients to a mason jar and shake vigorously. Alternatively, you can place all ingredients except the olive oil in a bowl, stirring to combine. Slowly add the olive oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly.  Set aside.

    Notes

    This post contains affiliate links.
    The following nutritional information is an estimate.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 491kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 23gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 704mgPotassium: 180mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 48IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 265mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cold salad, italian pasta salad, pasta salad, pesto
    Tried this recipe?Click here to leave a helpful tip!

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    737 shares
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    About Nikole

    Nikole is the creator and photographer behind The Travel Palate, a food and travel blog featuring quick and flavorful recipes and getaway guides. Nikole hopes to inspire your inner foodie whether you're in the kitchen or traveling on your next adventure.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caroline

      June 25, 2018 at 4:33 pm

      I love all the additions to this, adds lots of flavor and color. I can imagine this is great for potlucks.

      Reply
    2. Catherine Brown

      June 25, 2018 at 2:28 pm

      This is beautiful! I love making pasta salads in the summer that are light, but still hearty enough to be a satisfying meal. If I know it's going to be especially hot, I get up early to boil the noodles and have it chilling throughout the day. So delicious to come home to!

      Reply
    3. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

      June 25, 2018 at 10:28 am

      You seriously can't go wrong with a pasta salad! What a yummy meal for any season. Can't wait to try.

      Reply
      • Nikole

        June 25, 2018 at 12:09 pm

        Thanks Julie!

        Reply
    4. Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale

      June 24, 2018 at 8:53 pm

      OMG! I am drooling over this. This recipe has everything I love in one bowl. I am not sure I could share! I can't wait to make this. It looks easy and delicious.

      Reply
      • Nikole

        June 24, 2018 at 10:53 pm

        Katie-thanks for such a sweet comment! And thanks for stopping by and checking out this recipe!

        Reply
    5. Shital Kakad

      June 01, 2018 at 4:22 am

      A healthy dish, the protein content is good. must try recipe.

      Reply
      • Nikole

        June 01, 2018 at 10:55 pm

        Thanks, Shital! I hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    6. Lars

      May 31, 2018 at 7:50 am

      My wife is the best cook!

      Reply
      • Nikole

        June 01, 2018 at 10:54 pm

        Thanks honey.

        Reply

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