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Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

 

In this post I’ll be sharing a delicious Italian Pasta Salad Recipe.

Need a great recipe for a potluck or family meal? Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect and easy recipe. This salad is best served chilled or room temperature, making it a great make-ahead dish. Just give a quick stir before serving.

The combination of flavors in this salad are truly wonderful. The cooked pancetta gives a nice salty bite with the pasta, veggies and mozzarella dressed in a flavorful dressing.

This is a chilled salad recipe so it is perfect to make ahead if needed.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Farfalle Pasta (Bow-Tie) , cooked according to directions
  • 4 oz Diced Pancetta
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
  • 1 Purple Onion, diced
  • 8 oz Mozzarella Pearls (small mozzarella balls)
  • 6 oz Black Olives, rinsed & drained
  • 1/2 Sliced Pepperocini, drained  
  • 1 c Grape Tomatoes
  • 1 c Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
  • 1/4 c Grated Parmesan Cheese
 
Diced green pepper, red onion, and pancetta in a skillet for an Italian Pasta Salad
 
 
Cook pasta according to manufacturer directions. My general rule with pasta is to salt the cooking water, bring to a boil, add pasta and cook for 10 minutes. Drain well and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta.
 
 
In a small skillet over medium heat, add diced pancetta and cook until it begins to brown.
 
 
Add green peppers and onions to the skillet and sauté with the pancetta until the vegetables begin to soften, 6-7 minutes.
 
Cherry tomatoes, black olives, pepperocini and small mozzarella balls for a pasta salad
 
 
In a large mixing bowl, add the pasta, pancetta, onions and peppers along with salad dressing. Mix to combine.
 
 
Add shredded Parmesan, mozzarella pearls, pepperocini slices, black olives and tomatoes to the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine everything.
 
 
Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
 
White platter with handles filled with an Italian Pasta Salad side dish recipe
 
Cook’s Note: There is no need to add additional seasonings.
Try it with grilled chicken to make it a meal.

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Yield: 1 Pasta Side Dish

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Italian Pasta Salad in a white serving platter

A delicious Italian Pasta Salad recipe is a wonderful side dish and great for sharing at potlucks and gatherings.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Farfalle Pasta (Bow-Tie) , cooked according to directions
  • 4 oz. Diced Pancetta
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
  • 1 Purple Onion, diced
  • 8 oz. Mozzarella Pearls (small mozzarella balls)
  • 6 oz. Black Olives, rinsed & drained
  • 1/2 Sliced Pepperocini, drained
  • 1 c Grape Tomatoes
  • 1 c Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
  • 1/4 c Grated Parmesan Cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to manufacturer directions. My general rule with pasta is to salt the cooking water, bring to a boil, add pasta and cook for 10 minutes. Drain well and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta.
  2. In a small skillet over medium heat, add diced pancetta and cook until it begins to brown.
  3. Add green peppers and onions to the skillet and sauté with the pancetta until the vegetables begin to soften, 6-7 minutes.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the pasta, pancetta, onions and peppers along with salad dressing. Mix to combine.
  5. Add shredded Parmesan, mozzarella pearls, pepperocini slices, black olives and tomatoes to the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine everything.
  6. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 184Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 368mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 6g
 
 

Meet Julia

Author of Julia's Simply Southern

Sharing is Caring

Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats

Sunday 21st of January 2018

Sounds so yummy! Pasta salad is always yummy! Thanks for linking up at Friday Frenzy Link Party! PINNED!

Julia Jordan

Sunday 21st of January 2018

Thank you so much

Stacey

Friday 25th of August 2017

Sounds so yummy! We love pasta salad at my house. Can't wait to add this to the menu list!

Miz Helen

Tuesday 11th of April 2017

Hi Julia,This is a great Pasta recipe that we will really enjoy! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a fantastic weekend and come back soon!Miz Helen

Anonymous

Monday 10th of April 2017

For heaven's sake, a 3 page printout? For one recipe? You want a URL? Too much stuff. There has to be a softer, simpler way to do this. I really like the site except for this, I won't be printing out any recipes from here, I won't send to spam though.

Julia's Simply Southern

Tuesday 11th of April 2017

After you click the print friendly button, you have the option to resize or remove images - That way it's only 1 page :)

Teresa L Gross

Monday 10th of April 2017

I CAN see the printer friendly button on the web version page but not the mobile page. Maybe that is where ppl are getting lost?Anywhoo, thanks for the recipe! I'm going to tweak the ingredients to replace the peppers/dressing & add the suggested shredded chicken to take to work for dinners. Thanks!

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