Antipasto Pasta Salad – The Simple Recipe [+Video]

Add some Italian aptitude to your subsequent gathering with this scrumptious antipasto pasta salad! Filled with savory meats, cheeses, and greens, this simple recipe can be a crowd pleaser. Watch the video tutorial for step-by-step directions.

Whenever you’re searching for a spring or summer time salad recipe this antipasto pasta salad must be on the prime of your listing. Our meaty pasta salad is stuffed with olives, veggies and charcuterie meats like sausage and pepperoni!

We made just a few charcuterie boards over the vacations for numerous gatherings, so I had so many various leftovers. I wasn’t fairly positive how one can use them up, after which it clicked…a pasta salad! And this pasta salad recipe was born!

What’s Antipasto?

Antipasto means “earlier than the meal” in Italian and it’s a conventional Italian appetizer consisting of cured meats, cheese, olives and greens. It’s mainly what you’d discover on a charcuterie board! All scrumptious issues!

Elements for Antipasto Pasta Salad

I may in all probability name this kitchen sink pasta salad as a result of it a little bit little bit of nearly all the things. Ha! The ingredient listing would possibly look lengthy at first look, however in the event you’ve had a celebration with a charcuterie board and have some leftovers, then that is the pasta salad for you! Right here is all the things you want for this Italian antipasto pasta salad:

Pasta Salad

• Rotini Pasta: You desire a pasta with lots of floor space and many nooks and crannies to seize onto the scrumptious dressing!
• Onerous Salami Stick: The pre-sliced salami will work, however I actually want to purchase a stick of salami and minimize it into chunks myself.
• Pepperoni Stick: Similar story because the salami, purchase a stick of pepperoni and minimize it into small cubes your self.
• Artichoke Hearts: Seize a can of artichoke hearts, drain them and quarter them.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes will work properly too. Halve them and toss them in!
• Solar Dried Tomatoes: These add a lot scrumptious taste and a little bit acidity.
• Hearth Roasted Purple Peppers: You’ll be able to seize a jar on the grocery retailer (remember to drain it) or roast your individual,.
• Pickled Pepperoncini Peppers: It will possibly’t be antipasto with out pepperoncini peppers!
• Olives: A combination of black and inexperienced olives for shade (and taste!) is greatest.
• Mozzarella Pearls: Marinated mozzarella pearls will add one of the best taste, and also you HAVE to have cheese in a pasta salad. Simply my private rule!
• Purple Onion: Provides taste and crunchy texture.
• Contemporary Basil: Contemporary is a should and slice it actually skinny.

Dressing

• Olive Oil: Acts as the bottom for the French dressing dressing.
• Purple or White Wine Vinegar: Provides acidity.
• Garlic: Provides taste.
• Lemon Zest and Juice: Provides freshness and a vibrant pop of taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Provides taste.
• Contemporary Parmesan: Provides richness and taste.
• Purple Pepper Flakes: Provides little warmth.
• Salt & Black Pepper: Provides taste.

The measurements and particulars for every ingredient may be discovered within the recipe card on the finish of the submit.

How one can Make Antipasto Pasta Salad

There’s not an excessive amount of to this recipe…prepare dinner the pasta, make the dressing and do a bunch of chopping! That’s it! Listed below are step-by-step directions:

1. Prepare dinner the Pasta: Add the pasta to a big pot of boiling water that has been closely salted and prepare dinner till simply PAST al dente. Then drain and put aside to chill
2. Make the Dressing: Add all of the components for the dressing to a glass measuring cup and whisk to mix. Retailer within the fridge till able to serve.
3. Prep the Salad Elements: Reduce all of the meats and greens.
4. Assemble the Salad: Add all of the components to a big bowl and pour the dressing excessive. Toss all the things collectively to mix.
5. Chill: Let the pasta salad chill within the fridge for as much as an hour however not way more.
6. Serve: Toss the salad yet one more time, sprinkle with a little bit extra parmesan cheese if desired and serve.

Hold scrolling all the way down to the recipe card for all of the directions. You too can print or save the recipe there.

Watch the Video on How one can Make Antipasto Pasta Salad

Cease Making This Mistake with Your Pasta Salads!!

You all the time hear to prepare dinner your pasta al dente, however once you’re making a pasta salad, that’s not the case!! In case you’re making tomato basil angel hair pasta for dinner or our scrumptious Italian bolognese, then YES, prepare dinner the pasta al dente, however for a pasta salad, prepare dinner the pasta barely PAST al dente.

Pasta that’s cooked little longer could have much less potential for absorption so it gained’t absorb as a lot dressing. You need the dressing to cling to the surface of the pasta however not get absorbed. Dressing that will get absorbed loses all it’s taste.

Carrian’s Notes

This isn’t an incredible make forward salad. As a result of the dressing is a French dressing, it absorbs rapidly and simply into the pasta and turns into flavorless.

Storage Suggestions

Leftovers must be saved in an hermetic container and can hold for 4-5 days. If you wish to make this recipe forward of time, prep and minimize all of the components after which retailer all the things individually. Chop the basil simply earlier than combining all the things then add the French dressing dressing.

Do this scrumptious and easy antipasto pasta salad recipe with a step-by-step video information. This summer time pasta salad is stuffed with cured meats, pickled veggies and easy home made French dressing dressing. Good for picnics, potlucks, or as a fast and engaging weeknight meal.

Extra Summer season Salad Recipes: