Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe for Any Occasion

This is the end of your search for an Italian pasta salad, because it’s simply the best. This is an heirloom recipe from my family, passed down for generations! It’s full of fresh crunchy vegetables, briny olives, salty feta, a zesty Italian dressing, and buttery noodles. You’re going to love it and I bet it becomes your family recipe, too.

Italian pasta salad is a cold pasta dish made with leftover pasta (or pasta that’s just been made ahead), a plethora of crunchy veggies (my favorites are all listed below!), a crumble of feta cheese, and your favorite Italian dressing to coat it all. This is a great salad to make ahead! It will keep for several days in the fridge, making it an ideal dish to prep before a big gathering.

Ingredients for Italian Pasta Salad

This ingredient list is chock-full of fresh, crunchy veggies! Find the full list (plus any notes + applicable substitutions) below. Exact ingredient amounts can be found in the recipe card.

For the Pasta Salad

• Bowtie pasta – fusilli, rotini, and elbow macaroni would all work great here too
• Diced veggies – this recipe calls for carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, red onion, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and green bell pepper.
• Black olives
• Crumbled feta – swap for parmesan cheese, if you’d prefer.

For the Dressing

• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Lemon juice – fresh lemon juice is a must!
• Honey
• Italian seasoning
• Salt + ground black pepper

Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions

This recipe is really simple! The bulk of your time and effort will be spent chopping the veggies. Once you’ve got that out of the way, you’ll make the dressing and then mix everything together!

1. Boil the pasta – cook the pasta according to package instructions. Once done, drain and rinse the pasta with cold water, and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Add the veggies and feta – add the chopped veggies and crumbled feta to the bowl with the noodles.
3. Make the dressing – add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk together until fully combined. Pour over the veggies and pasta and toss to combine.
4. Garnish and serve – garnish the pasta salad with fresh chopped parsley, serve chilled, and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

• Add protein – if you’re itching to sneak a little bit of protein into this pasta salad, diced or sliced salami would be a delicious addition.
• Switch up the veggies – if you don’t have (or don’t like) a veggie on our list, feel free to swap it with something else or just scrap it altogether. This pasta salad is SO forgiving.

How to Serve

Italian pasta salad is a versatile dish that can be served in a bunch of different ways! Here are some ideas:

• It’s perfect as a side dish to alongside grilled steak or as a main dish for a light lunch or dinner.
• Serve this pasta salad as a potluck or party dish at the next barbecue or gathering you go to!
• Pair it with some crusty bread and a glass of chilled white wine for a complete Italian-inspired meal.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Know that the longer you wait to enjoy the leftovers, the higher the risk for soggy veggies!

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of pasta is best for Italian pasta salad?

This recipe calls for bowtie (farfalle) pasta, but truly, any short noodle would work perfectly. Elbow macaroni, fusilli, rotini, penne, you name it!

Can I make Italian pasta salad in advance?

If you want to make this pasta salad in advance, we’d actually recommend prepping the ingredients (chopping the veggies and making the dressing) in advance, but waiting to boil the noodles and mix everything together until the day you’re planning on serving it. This will ensure the very best texture!

How do I prevent the pasta from getting mushy in the salad?

There are a few ways to keep your pasta from getting mushy!

1. Cook the pasta al dente – it’s essential to only cook the pasta until it’s al dente (cooked through but still firm to the bite). Overcooked pasta will become too soft and absorb too much dressing, resulting in a mushy texture. Your pasta box will give al dente timing instructions!
2. Rinse the pasta – after cooking the pasta, rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process and remove any excess starch. This will help the pasta maintain its texture and prevent it from sticking together.
3. Toss with dressing just before serving – dressing can soften the pasta, especially if it’s added too early. To prevent this, add the dressing just before serving and toss the pasta salad well to ensure that the dressing is evenly distributed. If you want to make your pasta salad ahead of time, wait to add the dressing until just before serving.

More Favorite Summer Sides

• Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe
• Orzo with Roasted Vegetables
• Chilled Veggie Rice Salad
• Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Apple
• German Potato Salad
• Spicy Watermelon Salad