Antipasto Pasta Salad is simple to put together, pretty to present and oh so flavorful. With marinated vegetables, cheeses, meats, and pasta all tossed in a homemade Italian dressing it is the perfect combination of flavors.
Summer is not the same without pasta salad! And this version is the perfect side dish to any entrée, whether it’s oven baked chicken breasts or barbecue!
What Is Antipasto?
Typically, antipasto is the first course of a formal Italian meal. Usually, marinated vegetables, cheeses, mushrooms, and meats are arranged on a plate so guests can help themselves.
In this antipasto pasta salad, we use pasta as a base for all the other ingredients so it can be served as a side dish or even as an entrée. Mangia!
As Easy As 1,2,3…
Making this antipasto pasta salad is truly easy.
- Pasta: Cook pasta ‘al dente‘ and rinse under cold water. Al dente means ‘to the bite’, just a little undercooked so it holds up after being added to the other ingredients.
- Dressing: Combine the dressing ingredients or use a bottled Italian dressing.
- Combine: Toss together the pasta with remaining ingredients and toss with dressing.
Refrigerate at least one hour before serving. This allows all the flavors to blend.
Can You Make Antipasto Salad in Advance?
Absolutely! This is one of the best side dishes to make in advance and it will stay crisp and flavorful!
Keep it covered in the refrigerator and stir before serving. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper and it’s as good as new!
Serve It With:
Antipasto Pasta Salad goes with everything. Or it can stand alone because all the food groups are represented here (or top it with grilled chicken if you’d like).
For a summer-evening entrée serve with a nice slice of crusty garlic bread. As a side dish, it pairs perfectly with any kind of meat.
More Perfect Pasta Salads
- Italian Pasta Salad – ready in 20 mins!
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad – Reader favorite!
- Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad – 5 ingredient creamy dressing
- Pesto Pasta Salad – favorite for a summer picnic or barbecue
- Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad – packed with flavor, color, and texture!
- Easy Pasta Salad Recipe – perfect side dish or main course!
Did you love this Antipasto Pasta Salad? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 6 ounces jar marinated artichoke hearts quartered & drained (reserve juices*)
- ⅓ cup sliced red onion
- ½ cup olives green, black or a mixture
- 4 ounces sliced salami halved
- 8 ounces bocconcini
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Dressing
- 1 cup bottled Italian dressing
or
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup olive oil or use some of the reserved olive oil from the artichoke hearts
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Rinse under cold water and drain well.
- Combine all dressing ingredient in a bowl and whisk to combine.
- Toss all ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad
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This is a great summer salad! Versatile, delicious and so easy! A feast for the eyes as well as the palate. A keeper recipe!
You have mozzarella in the pic but not in the recipe?
The recipe calls for bocconcini which is mozzarella.
Like it without the pasta.
Looks delish! The pic of ingredients looks like there is sliced parm or some kind of hard cheese, is that correct, how much?
Hi Deb, we use bocconcini in this recipe but you can also add sliced parmesan (as pictured) or your favorite hard cheese for some extra flavor!
What kind of salami did you use, because salami in itself is pretty vague.
Any kind will work in this recipe, I prefer a thinner slice and often use Genoa salami.
I just made this Antipasto pasta salad for lunch and it is delicious. Very filling I was going to put pepperoni since I do not have salami but I forgot to add the pepperoni lol but salad still very good.
Glad you enjoyed it, Eva!
The picture looks like it has something white in it, I assume some type of cheese? I don’t see cheese listed as an ingredient.
Hi Tamie, this is bocconcini you see. Hope this helps.
Holy goodness!! I swapped out the fresh tomatoes for julienned sundried tomatoes, but otherwise made as written. This was freaking amazing!!! Thank you, Holly for another awesome recipe.
Oh my gosh, you are too sweet Daisy! ❤️ But I am so happy this recipe was such a hit!