This Creamy Italian Pasta Salad is packed with seasonal veggies, herbs, and a tangy homemade dressing – the perfect side dish for cookouts and potlucks! You can also customize it with whatever vegetables and proteins you have on hand.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – I love a good kitchen sink recipe. And while this Creamy Italian Pasta Salad does have a given list of ingredients, it’s the perfect vessel for whatever you have in your fridge. Roasted zucchini, black beans, scallions, diced celery, etc. – all would be delicious here. United by a creamy, tangy Italian dressing, you just toss it all in a bowl and mix it together. Yum!
Of course, being 1/4 Italian myself, I have to showcase Italian flavors from time to time on my blog. Oregano, garlic, onion… it’s all so good! Now you may be wondering why tomatoes aren’t making an appearance here, when they’re so quintessentially Italian. However, I already have an Heirloom Tomato Pasta Salad recipe (which is VERY good, I highly recommend it), so I wanted to lean into peppers instead. I know you’ll love it, enjoy!!
For more delicious, Mediterranean salads, try this Antipasto Salad, this Mediterranean Cowboy Caviar, or this Tuscan Tuna and White Bean Salad!
Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Creamy Italian Dressing
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 2 Cloves Garlic grated
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Oregano chopped
- 1/2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning see notes
- 1/2 Tsp Fresh-Cracked Black Pepper
- 1 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Tsp Salt
Pasta Salad
- 1 Lb Small Pasta like rotini, fusilli, or orecchiete
- 1 Large Red Bell Pepper diced, about 1 cup
- 2 Small Hot Peppers like jalapeño or banana peppers, about 1/2 cup diced
- 1/2 Red Onion diced
- 1 Cup Fresh Parsley chopped
- 3/4 Cup Small White Beans like navy beans (about half of one 15 oz can, rinsed and drained)
Instructions
- To begin, cook your pasta in SALTED water for about 1-2 minute longer than the "al dente" time listed on the pasta box. (Cooking the pasta until al dente will make too hard once it's chilled.) You want the cooked pasta to be soft but not mushy.
- Once done cooking, drain your pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, make the creamy Italian dressing by combining all of the dressing ingredients in a bowl, and mixing well until combined. Taste, and adjust seasonings to your preference.
- Prep the rest of the ingredients for the recipe – chop the peppers, onion, and parsley; rinse and drain the white beans, etc.
- Combine the pasta, beans, vegetables, and parsley, and drizzle with about 3/4 of the dressing at first. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
- It's recommended to chill the pasta salad to give the flavors time to meld, for at least 1-2 hours. Right before serving, mix in the remaining 1/4 of the dressing for added flavor.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to check if your Italian Seasoning contains salt – if so, you may want to lower the amount of salt used in the dressing.
- Feel free to add in any other additions you like here – such as artichokes, mozzarella, salumi, etc.!
Nutrition
Creamy Italian Pasta Salad FAQs
How long does Creamy Italian Pasta Salad keep for?
When stored in an airtight container, this pasta salad will keep for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
Is this Italian pasta salad made with mayo?
Yes! There is mayo in the Italian dressing, which lends it creaminess and richness.
What is the Creamy Italian Pasta Salad dressing?
The Creamy Italian Pasta Salad dressing has a base of mayo, with flavorings of Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, fresh oregano, and other Italian seasoning for plenty of flavor.
Should my pasta be al dente for pasta salad?
Actually, no! Cooking pasta until al dente for pasta salad will make the it hard and chewy once chilled. As the pasta cools, the starches undergo something called “retrogradation,” where they compact and harden. This is why I have you boil the pasta 1-2 minutes past al dente in the recipe!
Should I rinse pasta for cold pasta salad?
Yes, this is one of the few situations where it’s encouraged to rinse your pasta. It’s important to stop the cooking process after your pasta is done boiling – you don’t want a mushy pasta salad!
Should I salt the water when cooking pasta for a pasta salad?
Yes!! Always salt your pasta water when you cook it, because it flavors the pasta. So don’t skip it!
What are some common variations of Italian pasta salad?
Italian pasta salads usually start with a cooked pasta (like penne, orecchiete, or tri-color rotini) tossed with vegetables, sometimes beans, antipasti (like artichokes or salumi), and an Italian dressing. Dressings can vary from vinaigrettes to creamy ones, like in this recipe.
What are some serving suggestions for Italian pasta salad?
The pasta salad is delicious on its own for lunch or a snack, or as a side for other proteins and vegetable mains! This recipe is also ideal for cookouts, barbecues, and potlucks.
P.S.
For more plant-forward recipes, dinner parties, and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!
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