Is Italian Pasta Salad Really An Italian Dish?
No, this isn’t an authentic Italian dish. It’s called Italian pasta salad thanks to the addition of Italian dressing. “Italian” pasta salad is very much an American dish, not traditional fare from Italy.
What Other Pasta Shapes Can I Use?
This classic pasta salad calls for rotini pasta. We love using this shape of noodle, but you can feel free to use:
BowtiesShellsRadiatoreMacaroni
Chef’s choice!
Can I Use Store Bought Dressing Instead?
We always recommend making homemade dressing when you can. It’s such an easy yet meaningful addition to any salad recipe. But, we also know that you may not always have time to make it or are perhaps missing a few key ingredients. In that case, opt for your favorite bottled Italian dressing. You’ll find several varieties at the grocery store.
Cheese Options:
The mini-mozzarella balls in this dish are our favorite, but if you don’t like them or can’t find them, then you can feel free to use whatever type of cheese you prefer. Here are some other great options:
Diced block mozzarellaMonterey JackCheddar
Opt for your favorite!
Easy to Make Substitutions and Variations:
Our classic pasta salad does include pepperoni, so if you want to make it vegetarian feel free to skip it. If protein is a concern, you can add tofu or chickpeas instead. To make this dish vegan-friendly, get rid of the cheese. The pepperoncini are slightly spicy, so if you don’t like spice you can take those out as well. Replace with some crunchy bell peppers!
Do You Rinse Pasta for Cold Pasta Salad?
Rinsing pasta for warm pasta dishes is usually a big no-no – don’t get us started on wasting that precious pasta water! That said, for this dish you should rinse your rotini. Rinsing your noodles in cold water will stop them from cooking any further. It will also get rid of a lot of the starch that causes them to stick together. Finally, you need to use cold pasta for this recipe, and running the rotini under cool water will speed up the cooling process.
Serving Suggestions:
Whether you serve this classic pasta salad as an appetizer or a side, you need a few other components to round out a meal. Here’s what we suggest you serve yours with:
Grilled meat or seafood: Lemon chicken kabobs, swordfish, burgers, salmon, or steakGrilled veggies: Zucchini, corn on the cobb, asparagus, or potatoesOther salads: Tomato and avocado, Italian couscous, bacon broccoli salad, or Mediterranean chickpea salad
Storage Instructions:
You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will keep for 3-4 days. We highly recommend that you don’t try to freeze this Italian pasta salad. Freezing can give the pasta a funky texture when you defrost it, and the other ingredients generally don’t defrost well either. If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious pasta salad recipes:
Cilantro Ranch Pasta SaladSpicy Thai Pasta SaladItalian Orzo Pasta SaladTuna Macaroni Salad
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