We’re getting into one of the vital seasons of the yr: potluck season. Grills might be lit, coolers packed, and plastic silverware upgraded to the standing of nice china. I’m bringing my A-game and an enormous bowl of this Italian Pasta Salad.
And by “A” recreation, I imply urge for food.
This zesty Italian pasta salad recipe combines entire wheat noodles, turkey pepperoni, and pizza topping-inspired additions like crunchy bell peppers, tomatoes, and cheese.
- It’s kid-friendly (simply name it “pizza pasta”), fast and straightforward to tug collectively, and versatile.
- You may make it gluten free (use gluten free pasta).
- You possibly can skip the pepperoni for a vegetarian Italian pasta salad.
- And naturally, you’ll be able to swap out the veggies for different additions your loved ones enjoys (olive skeptics, I hear you).
We spend summer time weekends on the lake and, after years of tasting dozens of various potluck facet dishes in motion, I can say with certainty that this basic Italian pasta salad is the constant crowd favourite (this Rooster Caesar Pasta Salad is one other winner).
This straightforward pasta salad can slide into place at any cookout, whether or not you’re sticking with the Italian-inspired theme (Italian Turkey Burgers and Caprese Pasta Salad) or going all-American.
Is Italian pasta salad and Potato Salad on the identical potluck too many carbs?
I believe not.
5 Star Evaluation
“Actually good healthful pasta salad. It’s serving to us lighten issues up whereas nonetheless having huge taste.”
— Anne —
Conventional Italian pasta salad recipes typically name for bottled Italian dressing and a slew of less-than-wholesome components.
I made a decision to present the basic recipe an replace by utilizing contemporary, wholesome components:
- An assortment of colourful crunchy veggies to pack in loads of nutritional vitamins and minerals (this Italian Chopped Salad can also be LOADED with vibrant colourful veggies).
- Lean turkey pepperoni to chop fats and energy.
- Complete wheat pasta (like in my BLT Pasta Salad) that retains me full longer and hundreds up each serving with further vitamins.
- A simple home made Italian dressing that’s more healthy and extra flavorful than store-bought zesty Italian dressings which are typically loaded with thriller components.
The best way to Make Italian Pasta Salad
This lightened-up model of everybody’s favourite Italian pasta salad with turkey pepperoni, feta, and home made zesty Italian dressing jogs my memory of a wonderful slice of pizza (as does this Italian Mac and Cheese), however in gentle, vibrant pasta salad kind.
It’s assured to turn into your top-requested potluck contribution of the summer time.
The Elements
- Complete Wheat Pasta. For almost any pasta recipe, I all the time go for entire wheat pasta to sneak in a little bit further fiber, iron, and key minerals.
- Turkey Pepperoni. My swap for traditional pepperoni. It’s a leaner alternative that makes this pasta salad more healthy with out sacrificing any of that important salty/spicy pepperoni taste. (It’s additionally my fav for these Zucchini Pizza Boats.)
- Broccoli. Provides pretty inexperienced shade, crunch, and hundreds this dish with calcium, folate, iron, and nutritional vitamins A, B6, B12, D, E, and Ok.
- Bell Pepper. Select any shade you like—I normally use orange or yellow for some contrasting shade.
- Cherry Tomato. These juicy little purple jewels of sweetness are bursting with taste and contribute wholesome antioxidants, corresponding to lycopene. (They’re additionally key to this flavorful Italian Antipasto Salad.)
- Pink Onion. For a little bit zip, chunk, and additional crunch.
- Black Olives. Amplify the Italian flavors of this dish and suppose you’re tucking in at your favourite Italian pizzeria.
- Feta. I really like the salty chunk and refined tang feta lends this wholesome pepperoni pasta salad recipe (and Italian Farro Salad too).
- Parsley. For a last end of shade and freshness.
The best way to make Italian Pasta Salad dressing
The dressing is actually what takes this home made Italian pasta salad to the subsequent stage.
Do that dressing as soon as and I promise you’ll by no means purchase a bottle of the premade stuff once more.
- Ripe Tomato. My secret ingredient. A contemporary tomato is grated proper into the dressing infusing it with a vibrant tomato taste that tastes just like the epitome of summer time. (For extra tomato goodness, see these Grilled Pesto Rooster Skewers.)
- Pink Wine Vinegar. For some important acidity that balances all of the flavors.
- Greek Yogurt. My wholesome swap for mayo to maintain the creaminess.
- Olive Oil. Select a high quality olive oil to infuse the dressing with much more sturdy Italian taste.
- Dijon. Give the dressing a stunning spicy chunk.
- Honey. For a contact of tantalizing sweetness.
- Garlic. Be happy to regulate the quantity to fit your desire for garlic taste.
- Herbs + Spices. A mix of dried oregano, basil, salt, and pepper brings the dressing to life.
The Instructions
- Cook dinner the pasta and drain.
- Add the greens and cheese to the pasta.
- High with pepperoni.
- Whisk collectively the home made Italian dressing, pour over the pasta salad, and toss to coat. ENJOY!
Storage Suggestions
- To Retailer. Leftovers will preserve for 3 to 4 days within the fridge.
Storage Suggestions
When storing this Italian pasta salad, chances are you’ll discover that it’s going to dry out a little bit over time. If you understand you can be serving leftovers, take into account making a little bit further dressing, then storing the dressing individually. Simply earlier than serving, toss the additional dressing with the pasta to moisten it.
Make Forward
Pasta salad could be ready as much as 1 day upfront. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss as much as 4 hours earlier than serving. Retailer within the fridge.
What to Serve with Italian Pasta Salad
Really useful Instruments to Make this Recipe
- Mixing Bowls. For mixing the dressing and tossing collectively the completed pepperoni pasta salad.
- Microplane Grater. This one is my all-time favourite for grating actually something.
- Chopping Board. An additional-large reducing board makes chopping a breeze.
The Pasta Pot
This 8-quart stockpot and pasta pot has an aluminum layered backside for even warmth distribution and may simply pressure your noodles.
Whether or not your subsequent potluck is on a lake, in your yard, or crowded round your espresso desk, this wholesome Italian pasta salad is bound to be successful with company.
Incessantly Requested Questions
Not normally. Nonetheless this wholesome Italian pasta salad recipe, because of my wholesome swaps, clocks in at below 200 energy, solely 6 grams of fats, and a whopping 10 grams of protein per serving.
Sure! This Italian pasta salad with pepperoni is a improbable make-ahead recipe for potlucks. Add the dressing inside just a few hours of serving.
Actually! I do know that some gluten free pasta varieties are higher than others for storing and serving chilled. Earlier than making a full batch, I’d check just a few of your favourite gluten free pastas to see which one holds up greatest in a pasta salad recipe like this one.
For the Pepperoni Pasta Salad:
- 8 ounces raw entire wheat rotini fusilli, or comparable pasta
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets minimize into bite-sized items
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved (or grape tomatoes)
- 1 small orange or yellow bell pepper cored and diced (or yellow bell pepper)
- 1/3 cup sliced turkey pepperoni quartered
- 1/4 cup diced purple onion about 1/2 a small onion
- 2.5 ounces sliced black olives rinsed and drained (1 small can)
- 1/2 cup reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons contemporary parsley chopped
For the Italian Dressing:
- 1 small ripe tomato minimize in half
- 1 tablespoon purple wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon non-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon further virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/8 teaspoon floor black pepper
- TO MAKE AHEAD: Pasta Salad could be ready as much as 1 day upfront. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss as much as 4 hours earlier than serving. Retailer within the fridge.
- TO STORE: Leftovers will preserve for just a few days within the fridge however might dry out a little bit. If you understand you can be serving leftovers, take into account making a little bit further dressing, then storing the dressing individually. Simply earlier than serving, toss the additional dressing with the pasta to moisten it.
Serving: 1(of 8)Energy: 192kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 10gFats: 6gSaturated Fats: 2gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 3gLdl cholesterol: 17mgPotassium: 213mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 750IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
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