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    Home » Side Dish » Italian Pasta Salad

    Published: Jun 8, 2013 · Modified: Jun 24, 2021 by Lisa Johnson

    Italian Pasta Salad

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

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    This easy Italian Pasta Salad takes just minutes to make with spiral pasta, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, black olives, shredded carrots, mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil tossed together with creamy Italian dressing! This cold summer salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or grilling dinners. So quick, easy, and delicious!

    Spiral pasta, mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, zucchini and black olives mixed together in a blue bowl.

    There's something you should know about me...I love all things creamy! Creamy dressings, sauces, and desserts. I can't explain it, I was just born this way. So this Italian Pasta Salad is my favorite side dish! I have made variations of this salad since high school. Of course back then, I was using a box!

    Yes folks, a box. Does anyone remember Suddenly Salad? My sister-in law still teases me about the first time I was at their house and they were making dinner. Someone asked if I wanted to start the potato salad....."Sure, where's the box?" was my response. You need to remember, my mother is not big on cooking.

    I think I have made up for it now, don't you? Look at me all grown up and publishing a blog about cooking all the things! I'm sure my mother is still mortified. I was supposed to grow up to be a doctor or the president, not a stay at home mom living in Iowa! Funny how things turn out!

    Looking down on spiral pasta, mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, zucchini and black olives mixed together in a blue bowl.

    Italian Pasta Salad ingredients:

    • spiral pasta of your choice: Cellentaini, rotini, etc.
    • a medium zucchini thinly sliced and cut into half-moons
    • cherry tomatoes - whole or sliced in half
    • shredded carrots
    • sliced black olives
    • chopped Italian parsley and green onions
    • mozzarella pearls, or fresh mozzarella cut into squares
    • homemade or store-bought Italian dressing mixed with mayonnaise for creaminess
    • sea salt and black pepper to taste
    Italian Pasta Salad ingredients in white bowls.

    How to make Italian Pasta Salad:

    Mix dressing and mayonnaise together in a small bowl. Set aside.

    Place cooked, drained noodles into a large bowl.

    Add the zucchini, carrots, tomatoes, green onions, basil, olives and mozzarella pearls. 

    Pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, black olives, parsley, and zucchini slices in a large white bowl.

    Pour dressing mixture over noodles and vegetables. Toss to thoroughly combine.

    Spiral pasta, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, black olives, and zucchini slices tossed together in a white bowl.

    Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Italian Pasta Salad with bacon wrapped chicken breast on a blue plate.

    I served mine with Hawaiian Chicken Grillers topped with Whiskey Glaze. I know, it's a strange combination. It's also really good with Sugar-free Teriyaki Sauce and Hawaiian Potato Mac Salad!

    Recipe modifications:

    • add diced salami or pepperoni
    • substitute broccoli or your choice of vegetables
    • sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese
    • use colored pasta
    • substitute gluten-free pasta if needed

    More delicious pasta salad recipes:

    • Healthy Italian Pasta Salad
    • Mediterranean Pasta Salad - with bow-tie pasta, feta cheese, and simple dressing
    • Antipasto Salad - fresh vegetables, deli meats, and cheese
    • Hawaiian Potato Mac Salad
    • Sesame Noodles with Grilled Chicken - served cold with Asian flavors

    If you love this recipe, please rate it five stars and help me share on facebook and to help other readers in our community!

    Enjoy!!

    Spiral pasta, mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, zucchini and black olives mixed together in a blue bowl.

    Italian Pasta Salad

    This easy Italian Pasta Salad takes just minutes to make with spiral pasta, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, black olives, shredded carrots, mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil tossed together with creamy Italian dressing!
    No ratings yet
    Print Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: pasta salad with Italian flavors
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Total Time: 27 minutes
    Servings: 8 Servings
    Calories: 429kcal
    Author: Lisa Johnson

    Ingredients

    Dressing

    • 1 cup Italian dressing I used Newman's Own
    • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
    • 1 pound pasta cooked, drained - I used Barilla Cellentaini
    • 1 medium zucchini sliced thin, cut into half circles
    • 1 cup shredded carrots
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
    • .25 cup sliced olives
    • 3 green onions chopped
    • .25 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
    • 1 cup mozzarella cheese pearls
    • sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Mix dressing and mayonnaise together in a small bowl. Set aside.
    • Place cooked, drained noodles into a large bowl.
    • Add zucchini, carrots, tomatoes, green onions, basil, mozzarella, and olives. 
    • Pour dressing mixture over noodles and vegetables. Stir to thoroughly combine.
    • Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    Recipe Modifications:
    • add diced salami or pepperoni
    • substitute broccoli or your choice of vegetables
    • sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese
    • use colored pasta
    • substitute gluten-free pasta if needed
    • Homemade Italian Dressing

    Nutrition

    Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 474mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2935IU | Vitamin C: 10.6mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1.2mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carrie @ Frugal Foodie Mama says

      June 09, 2013 at 7:32 am

      Lisa, this looks so delicious... and easy too! 🙂

      Reply
    2. Katie Clark says

      June 09, 2013 at 1:40 pm

      I love anything creamy as well. Unfortunately, since discovering my lactose intolerance, I have to improvise a lot, but luckily there's pretty much a worthy substitute for evertyhing 🙂 This salad looks fabulous.

      Reply
    3. Tanya Schroeder says

      June 09, 2013 at 6:01 pm

      I have a weakness for creamy stuff too! I try to be good, but it's so irresistible!

      Reply
    4. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

      June 10, 2013 at 2:32 am

      Yummmy!! Looks amazing! And you are so funny posting about "the green light" - I knew exactly what you were talking about when I read the title! All I can say is this… be thankful that you only have 109 posts to go back and deal with. LOL I have quite a few to fix as well so just take them one at a time, sister!
      Glad you are a SAHM in Iowa as opposed to being "The President", btw, so we get to experience all of your awesome creations in the kitchen!! So much more fun!
      xoxo

      Reply
    5. Alyssa says

      June 16, 2013 at 7:56 pm

      I do a similar recipe but I use Italian dressing instead.

      Reply
    6. Jenn @ TheRollinsHouse says

      June 17, 2013 at 9:58 pm

      I love pasta salad! Can't wait to try yours 🙂

      Reply
    7. Michelle says

      June 18, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      I remember suddenly salad! I am also a nut for creamy foods.

      Reply
    8. Heather Who Needs a Cape? says

      June 19, 2013 at 8:02 am

      Pasta salad is one of my favorite meals in the summer! Thanks for the new version 😉

      Glad you linked up on Super Sunday - hope you can come back next week!

      Reply
    9. Lynn H @ Turnips 2 Tangerines says

      June 20, 2013 at 6:55 am

      Pasta Salad is the perfect summertime food~ I like to add some parmesan cheese to my dressing also:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

      Reply
    10. Julie says

      June 22, 2013 at 5:54 pm

      Definitely going to have to try, I love pasta salads in the summer!

      Thanks!
      Julie

      Reply
    11. Anyonita says

      June 24, 2013 at 3:06 am

      What a lovely and fresh salad! 🙂 I am making this for my next barbecue! Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers! Please be sure to stop back by the party and check out some of the other links!

      Reply
    12. Diane Balch says

      June 24, 2013 at 2:46 pm

      Total flashback I remember one of my aunts making a similar salad. Thanks so much for sharing it with us on foodie friday.

      Reply
    13. Kelly says

      June 24, 2013 at 6:50 pm

      Those noodles look very inviting 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this at my Happy Monday Show & Share @ HappyWifey.net!

      Reply
    14. Judy says

      June 25, 2013 at 3:13 am

      Oh my, now, I am craving.
      Judy

      Reply
    15. Adelina Priddis says

      June 27, 2013 at 7:56 am

      I could use the green SEO light, but I'm not on wp 🙁
      Your pasta salad is screaming for me to eat it. Anything creamy is going to be good.

      Reply
    16. Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says

      June 28, 2013 at 7:38 am

      I love that this is creamy! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #18!

      ~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!

      Reply
    17. Jennifer M. says

      July 19, 2013 at 6:24 am

      I have been making cold salads since this heat wave hit, it is all I have an appetite for! Your Italian Pasta Salad looks like it might be my dinner tonight! I am sharing this today!

      Reply
    18. Lois Christensen says

      July 19, 2013 at 7:31 am

      This looks delicious! I use the same dressing for my pasta salad...mayo with Ken's Ceasar Dressing. AND yes, the mayo makes the difference! Sharing with my Walking on Sunshine FB page later today. Thank you for linking up with Foodie Friends Friday!

      Reply
    19. Michelle says

      July 21, 2013 at 2:21 pm

      This looks delicious. I love pasta salad. I chose it for my Foodie Friends Friday host favorite this week, so it will be featured on Daily Dish Magazine Monday. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
    20. Marlys @Thisand That says

      September 01, 2013 at 4:04 am

      I love Pasta and this looks great. Thanks for sharing this with Foodie Friends Friday. Just wanted to let you know that I am using this recipe in a Labor Day post that I wrote for the Daily Dish Magazine.

      Reply

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