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Italian Pasta Salad is a delicious, easy-to-make staple side dish for any gathering! Tricolor rotini pasta, fresh veggies, and bite-sized mozzarella balls, all tossed in a zesty yet creamy Greek yogurt dressing. Simple yet so good, this vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad recipe is the kind of dish that both impresses guests and adds a vibrant touch to any BBQ, picnic, or potluck.
Jump to Section
- Why you’ll love this cold Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
- Ingredients to make vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad
- How to make creamy Italian pasta salad
- Tips for making the best zesty Italian pasta salad
- Popular substitutions & additions
- What to Serve with Your Italian Pasta Salad
- How to store Pasta Salad
- Frequently asked questions
- More pasta salad recipes:
- Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
This Italian Pasta Salad doesn’t have to be a companion to your main course; it’s also a great base for a main! This recipe is vegetarian but that doesn’t mean you can’t toss in some grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon, and it makes a great lunch or light dinner! That’s the beauty of this salad. It’s flexible and adapts to your needs and preferences. The versatility of this cold Italian Pasta Salad makes it a surefire hit, regardless of the occasion.
This recipe was part of our June 2023 Cooking Challenge! Thank you for joining us in making this delicious recipe and the chance to win a prize!
Why you’ll love this cold Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
- Full of Flavor: The Greek yogurt-based dressing is tangy, creamy, and packed with flavor, making this pasta salad a delight to the senses. Each bite reveals the taste of fresh vegetables, the richness of the mozzarella, and the herb-infused dressing.
- Easy to Make: With simple, readily available ingredients and uncomplicated steps, this pasta salad recipe is something you can whip up without stress. It’s a testament that gourmet taste doesn’t always require complicated techniques or rare ingredients.
- Cost-Effective: Tasked with bringing a side to an event? Pasta salad is a great option! You can feed a crowd without breaking the bank, making it an excellent choice for large gatherings without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients to make vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad
- Rotini pasta: You can use traditional rotini or tri-colored for extra color.
- Greek yogurt: The base of the homemade dressing is used to create a satisfying creamy flavor and texture.
- Oil & Vinegar: Olive oil and red wine vinegar help balance the dressing and give it that zesty flavor.
- Spices: Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are all used to give this pasta salad it’s classic Italian twist. Add other spices and seasonings you have on hand to create even more flavor.
- Garlic & Shallots: These provide a pungent flavor to the dressing and help round out all of the other flavors.
- Vegetables: Bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, and olives, bring a burst of color and fresh flavor to this delicious salad.
- Mozzarella balls: Fresh mozzarella balls give this Italian pasta salad a delicious creaminess.
How to make creamy Italian pasta salad
- In a glass bowl, add the Greek yogurt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, shallot, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper.
- Whisk the dressing until smooth and emulsified.
- Combine the dressing with the cooked pasta. Top with olives, bell pepper, cucumbers, tomatoes, and cheese.
- Toss until everything is combined and evenly coated in the dressing.
Tips for making the best zesty Italian pasta salad
- Chill Before Serving: Allowing the salad to chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving helps the flavors to meld together. The chilling time gives the pasta and veggies a chance to soak up the dressing and the flavors to fully develop. If you have the time, make it ahead – it’s one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day.
- Pasta Cooking Tips: Make sure to cook the pasta al dente (firm to the bite). Overcooked pasta can become mushy and lose its shape when mixed with the dressing and other ingredients. Remember also to salt your pasta water—it adds flavor to the pasta.
- Add the dressing to the pasta while warm: It’s best to dress the pasta while it’s still warm because it absorbs more flavor this way. However, don’t add the fresh veggies and cheese until the pasta has cooled down to avoid wilting or melting.
- Use a blender for a smoother dressing. If you chop the shallots finely, the dressing won’t come out chunky, but for an ultra-smooth consistency, you can make the creamy Italian dressing in the blender.
Popular substitutions & additions
- Experiment with different vegetables. Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms, artichoke hearts, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers for some extra flavor.
- No Greek Yogurt? If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use mayonnaise or sour cream as a substitute. Or, for a dairy-free version, use a plant-based yogurt.
- Try other pasta. You can use any type of pasta to make this Italian pasta salad. Penne, bowtie, macaroni, and shells all work well in this dish.
- Swap out the mozzarella. If mozzarella balls aren’t available, cubes of fresh mozzarella, feta cheese, or even chunks of sharp cheddar can work well in this salad.
- Add fresh Herbs: Fresh basil, parsley, or even a handful of arugula can add an additional layer of flavor.
What to Serve with Your Italian Pasta Salad
How to store Pasta Salad
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or zip-top bag and kept in the refrigerator. Cold Italian pasta salad is the best pasta salad, so it can be eaten right out of the fridge.
How long will pasta salad last in the fridge?
It will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to stir and mix it before serving.
Frequently asked questions
It’s important to cook your pasta until it is al dente or just tender. To test for doneness, lift a piece of pasta from the boiling water and bite into it. If it is still a bit chewy, you know to leave it in the boiling water a minute longer.
Yes, as written, this recipe is already vegetarian, but you can easily make this Italian pasta salad vegan by using vegan mozzarella and plant-based Greek yogurt in place of their dairy counterparts.
Sure! If you prefer to use a bottle of Italian salad dressing, you can. To keep it creamy, mix it with the Greek yogurt. You can even use the same ratio¼ cup of Italian dressing to ¾ cup of Greek yogurt.
This creamy Italian pasta salad is the perfect side dish for your summer cookouts and potlucks. It’s simple to make and is always a hit with family and friends. With some pasta, fresh veggies, and a zesty homemade dressing, you can create a vegetarian Italian pasta salad that’s full of flavor and will leave everyone begging for more.
More pasta salad recipes:
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Spinach
- Tuna Pea Pasta Salad
- Spinach Pasta Salad
- Simple Caesar Pasta Salad
- Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad
- Light Macaroni Salad
If you try this feel good Italian Pasta Salad recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
Italian Pasta Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound tricolor rotini pasta
- ¾ cup greek yogurt
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove grated
- 1 shallot minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more for pasta water
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 6-ounce can sliced black olives
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- ½ English cucumber diced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- 8 ounces mini mozzarella cheese balls ciliegine size
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt and add pasta. Cook according to the package directions, then drain and set aside in a large bowl.
- Meanwhile in a small bowl or jar, make the dressing by whisking Greek yogurt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, shallot, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper until smooth and emulsified.
- Add the dressing to the cooked pasta, then top with the olives, bell pepper, cucumbers, tomatoes and cheese. Toss until everything is combined and evenly coated in the dressing.
- Chill before serving to allow the flavors to develop.
Notes
- Chill Before Serving: Allowing the salad to chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving helps the flavors to meld together.
- Pasta Cooking Tips: Make sure to cook the pasta al dente (firm to the bite). Remember also to salt your pasta water—it adds flavor to the pasta.
- Add the dressing to the pasta while warm: It’s best to dress the pasta while it’s still warm because it absorbs more flavor this way. However, don’t add the fresh veggies and cheese until the pasta has cooled down to avoid wilting or melting.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Marvelous perfect
Thanks, Dali!
I really loved this recipe, but once I let the pasta salad sit in the fridge the sauce was no longer creamy and was on the drier side. I tried making a second batch of the sauce to see if that would help and the same thing happened once I put it back in the fridge. It was hard to taste all the flavors of the sauce when the pasta was cold. I really loved the flavor when the pasta was still warm and then the sauce was real creamy.
Hmm, it sounds like your pasta soaked up too much of the sauce. That isn’t ideal! Did you put the pasta salad in a sealed container to store in the fridge? I have left mine uncovered before and it dries out pretty quickly. Not sure why adding more sauce didn’t remedy it, so sorry to hear it didn’t turn out how you expected.
Yes, I did put it in a completely sealed container right away. Such a bummer! I wonder if maybe the noodles were slightly over done, not al dente and they could have soaked it in. I am going to try it over to see. I still do love all of your recipes that I try. Your cookbook is also amazing!!
That could be it! Let me know if you get to the bottom of it the next time you try the recipe. And thank you so much for buying my cookbook, I really appreciate the support! So glad you’re enjoying it!!
What did I do wrong? I followed directions exactly. I made yesterday in the evening to serve today & it seems dry & def not creamy. The Italian seasoning is a little much as well. I guess I will add a little more yogurt or some olive oil🤷🏻♀️
Sounds like your pasta might have soaked up a lot of the sauce, you can add more if needed.
what a lovely salad and so many other different meals I am enjoying doing ♥️☺️ Merci! I love every I have tried so far.
So glad you are enjoying it, Pascale!
Tasty pasta salad which feels fresh to eat in summer weather. Easy to assemble, will be making again.
Not US based so hopefully the challenge prizes will be available in Europe soon.
Lol
Thank you! I will look into doing an Amazon prize in the EU! Thanks for the feedback!
Recipe is easy, delicious, and most importantly, kids approved 😂👍. Perfect combination for summer. Loved it !
So happy to hear that!