Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes, this pasta salad is perfect for prepping in advance. You can prepare it the night before and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before serving, as the dressing may settle.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely. While rotini is ideal because of its spiral shape that holds dressing well, you can also use penne, fusilli, or farfalle. Avoid long noodles like spaghetti, which don’t mix as evenly.

How do I keep the pasta from getting mushy?

Cook the pasta until it’s al dente—tender but still firm to the bite—and rinse it under cold water immediately after draining. This stops the cooking process and helps the pasta stay firm.

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

Description

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad is a quick and colorful side dish loaded with rotini pasta, pepperoni, veggies, and two dressings that create a tangy, smooth finish. It’s perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale

1 box rotini (spiral) pasta
1 cup pepperoni, chopped
1 cup banana peppers, roughly chopped
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed or shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
1 cup Italian dressing
1 cup ranch dressing
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
2 teaspoons black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Boil rotini in salted water until just tender, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent stickiness.
Chop and prep ingredients: While the pasta cooks, chop the pepperoni, banana peppers, and tomatoes. Cube or shred the mozzarella and grate the Parmesan.
Combine the base: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, pepperoni, peppers, tomatoes, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Mix gently with a large spoon to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Add dressings and seasonings: Pour in the Italian and ranch dressings. Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, and black pepper over the mixture. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly coated.
Chill and serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir again just before serving, as dressing may settle at the bottom.

Notes

You can use tri-color rotini for extra visual appeal.
To make it lighter, opt for turkey pepperoni and low-fat cheese. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
If the salad seems dry after refrigeration, add a splash of extra dressing before serving.
You can swap out veggies based on what you have—cucumbers, olives, or red onions are great additions.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing, Boiling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 256 kcal
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 927mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 9g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 26mg