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Full of fresh, flavorful ingredients, this Creamy Pasta Salad recipe is a quick and easy dish for picnics, potlucks, or light and satisfying dinners. The Italian-inspired ingredients like pepperoni, mozzarella, tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, and fresh herbs are tossed in a Creamy Italian dressing for a crowd-pleasing meal that makes summer entertaining easy!
If you’re hosting a summer get-together or heading over to a friend’s house for a picnic, then this easy Creamy Pasta Salad recipe with Italian dressing is for you. After all, a Southern potluck would not be complete without at least one pasta salad on the table!
What is Creamy Pasta Salad?
This dish is a perfect combination of my favorite Southern Macaroni Salad (with a sweet and creamy dressing) and a classic Italian Pasta Salad (with a vinaigrette dressing). It’s the best of both worlds!
My recipe for Creamy Italian Pasta Salad takes advantage of the fresh veggies and herbs that are available at this time of year and let’s them shine. It’s a simple blend of pasta, tomatoes, bell pepper and basil, as well as pepperoni, cheese and olives. Toss everything together in a smooth, flavorful, creamy Italian dressing and the end result is a delicious side dish with just 15 minutes of prep!
How to Make a Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe:
If you can chop some veggies and boil some pasta, then you can make this salad. It’s quick, easy and doesn’t require any special skills!
Ingredients:
- Rotini pasta (or other short pasta)
- Creamy Italian salad dressing
- Mayonnaise
- Tomatoes
- Bell pepper
- Pepperoni
- Sliced black olives
- Cheese
- Basil
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Boil the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Pasta Salad Dressing
This is about as easy as it gets! Just stir together prepared Creamy Italian Dressing with a little bit of mayonnaise. I like Wish-Bone Creamy Italian dressing, but any similar variety will work!
Step 3: Stir together the Salad Ingredients
Once the pasta is completely cool, stir together the cooked noodles with the tomatoes, bell pepper, pepperoni, olives, cheese and basil.
Step 4: Add the Creamy Italian Dressing and Stir
Toss the salad ingredients with the dressing, give it all a toss, and the end result is a beautiful, fresh, and flavorful Italian pasta salad that comes together in about 15 minutes!
What to serve with Pasta Salad:
While it’s delicious on its own, the pasta salad also pairs nicely with grilled Italian sausages, chicken, pizza or flatbread. The contemporary medley of classic flavors highlights the season’s best produce in a simple and satisfying dish that will disappear fast! Here are a few entrees that go particularly well with the creamy pasta salad recipe:
- Garlic and Herb Grilled Chicken Breast
- Perfect 15-Minute Grilled Salmon
- Foil Pack Italian Sausage and Peppers
- 5-Ingredient Grilled Italian Sausage Kabobs
- Grilled Salmon with Dill Sauce
- Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
- Lemon Garlic Herb Grilled Shrimp
Preparation and Storage Tips:
- Make Ahead: You can prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance. Save some extra dressing and add more just before serving, if necessary.
- While it’s best enjoyed within 24 hours, the creamy pasta salad will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- I do not recommend freezing the pasta salad, since the vegetables and pasta will have a mushy texture when thawed.
Cook’s Tips and Recipe Variations:
- Add cooked, diced chicken or cooked shrimp to the salad for an even heartier dish.
- Try other fresh herbs, such as chopped parsley or oregano.
- Any cheese will work! Diced cheddar or little cubes of Monterey Jack would be great substitutes for the mozzarella.
- My boys don’t love olives, so I sometimes omit the olives and replace them with an equal amount of diced cucumber, diced celery or frozen peas (thawed).
- Any short pasta shape will work. For instance, you can substitute with macaroni, penne or bowtie in lieu of the rotini.
- I like Wish-Bone Creamy Italian dressing for this recipe, but any similar prepared dressing will work.
- Try using a bottle of Ranch dressing in lieu of the Creamy Italian dressing.
More pasta salad recipes that you might enjoy:
- Sweet Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
- Classic Pasta Salad Recipe
- Avocado Shrimp Pasta Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Aunt Bee’s Shrimp and Pasta Salad
- Chicken and Tortellini Salad
Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups (about 7 ounces) uncooked rotini pasta (about 4 cups cooked)
- ¾ cup Creamy Italian salad dressing (such as Wish-Bone brand)
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 sweet bell pepper (any color), seeded and chopped
- ½ cup mini or diced pepperoni
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ½ cup cubed fresh mozzarella (or substitute with diced cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool completely.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the dressing by whisking together Creamy Italian salad dressing and mayonnaise. Set aside.
- Once pasta is completely cool, transfer it in a large bowl. Add tomatoes, bell pepper, pepperoni, olives, cheese and basil. Pour dressing over top and gently toss to combine. You might not need all of the dressing right away. I usually reserve about 1/4 cup of the dressing so that I can add a little bit more just before serving.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Add cooked, diced chicken or cooked shrimp to the salad for an even heartier dish.
- Try other fresh herbs, such as chopped parsley or oregano.
- Any cheese will work! Diced cheddar or little cubes of Monterey Jack would be great substitutes for the mozzarella.
- My boys don't love olives, so I sometimes omit the olives and replace them with an equal amount of diced cucumber or diced celery.
- Any short pasta shape will work. For instance, you can substitute with macaroni, penne or bowtie in lieu of the rotini.
- I like Wish-Bone Creamy Italian dressing for this recipe, but any similar prepared dressing will work.
- Try using a bottle of Ranch dressing in lieu of the Creamy Italian dressing.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance. Save some extra dressing and add more just before serving, if necessary.
- While it's best enjoyed within 24 hours, the creamy pasta salad will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- I do not recommend freezing the pasta salad, since the vegetables and pasta will have a mushy texture when thawed.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in July, 2017. It was updated in April, 2020.
Pasta salads are my favorite kind to whip up during the summer, and I’m loving this Italian version. Those zesty ingredients sound delicious! Just what I need!
Thanks, Gayle! I LOVE these ingredients — I know you will too!
Wow this looks so delicious…definitely one for barbecues!
Thanks, Emily!
The asiago sauce manufacturer is now giving everyone a BOGO coupon. And, I just love this recipe, it is now in the rotation. Thanks for sharing it!
Awesome! So glad that you like the recipe, Kerri! 🙂
Just a couple suggestions: If you don’t have dressing on hand, soak dry Italian herbs in a small amount of olive oil for several hours or overnight. Whisk it into youe mayo (the olive or avocado versions are really delicious). If you don’t mind a little tang, sour cream lightens the dressing, and so does a dab of milk. For a big flavor boost, add sliced/chopped pepperoncini. Finally, for authenticity, use provolone or a shaved hard cheese. Always store the cheese separately so it doesn’t get slimy.
Also, I snip fresh basil into the salad. I grow tons of basil every year, and it freezes really well for a few months — probably would be longer if I had a food sealer. The commercial frozen and paste versions of basil are not bad — far better than dried. They’re pretty widely available now.
Great tips! Thanks, Kathleen!