Pasta salad is a staple around here. It’s quick to make, easy to keep in the fridge, and perfect for those days when we’re in and out of the house and need something ready to grab for lunch. This Easy Italian Pasta Salad is one of our favorites because it comes together in minutes and tastes even better the next day.
Why This Meal Works
- Quick to make
- Simple ingredients
- Family-friendly
- Easy to adjust
Easy Italian Pasta Salad with Salami
Perfect for BBQs, Potlucks, and Busy Weeknights
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 box (16oz) rotini or bow-tie pasta
- 2 medium broccoli crowns, cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium yellow or red pepper, diced
- 1 can (2.25oz) sliced black olives, drained
- 6 oz salami, diced or cut into strips
Dressing
- 1 cup zesty Italian dressing, store bought or homemade
- ½ cup cubed mozzarella cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta until al dente according the package directions
- While the pasta cooks, cut up the broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, salami, and cheese
- Combine the dressing, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, salami, and cheese in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Drain the pasta and rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down.
- Add the pasta to the bowl with the dressing, veggies and cheese. Mix until combined.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 2 hours. Stir before serving.
Julia’s Notes
Add a splash of dressing if the pasta has soaked it up.
Easy Substitutions
- Swap mozzarella cheese for Parmesan cheese
- Use pre-cut vegetables
- Skip the salami, if desired
Looking for more easy summer meals?
- See what we ate this week
- Browse easy dinner ideas
- Get my weekly meal planner
If you’re trying to keep meals simple, you can grab my weekly planner here.
