As soon as the days get warmer and the winter chill disappears, my mind dreams of Italian pasta salad recipes.
For me, pasta salad screams summer – it reminds me of long, lazy weekends spent at the beach in Sicily with my big, loud family.
Pasta salads are such a versatile and beloved dish in Italy that you’ll find countless variations from the northern regions to the sun-drenched south.
Tips to make Italian pasta salads perfect
As an Italian girl who adores pasta salads, I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years to ensure they turn out delicious.
- Cook the pasta al dente. You want the pasta to have a nice, firm texture that will withstand the other ingredients. Overcooking will result in a mushy, unpleasant pasta salad.
- Dress the pasta while it’s still warm. Tossing the freshly cooked pasta with the dressing allows it to absorb all the flavors.
- Use high-quality, flavorful ingredients.
- Balance the flavors. Make sure to include a mix of salty, acidic, and fresh ingredients to create a well-rounded taste.
- Let the salad marinate. After tossing everything together, allow the pasta salad to sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) so the flavors can meld. And believe me it tastes even better the next day!
21 Must-Try Italian Pasta Salad Recipes
#1 Rotini Pasta Salad
With a few simple ingredients, this pasta salad is ready in a few minutes and has the perfect Italian taste!
#2 SUNDRIED TOMATO PESTO PASTA SALAD
This Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad is full of Italian flavors! It’s one of my favorite Italian pasta salad recipes.
It’s a great side dish made with marinated artichokes, grape tomatoes, basil, and a homemade dressing.
#3 Linguine Pasta Salad Recipe
This fun and twirlable linguine pasta salad is loaded with fresh vegetables and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
It’s a crowd-pleaser recipe that everyone at your table is sure to enjoy.
#4 Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes & Pine Nuts
This delicious pasta salad is tossed in a bright and zingy dressing and incorporates lots of sun-dried tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, and fresh herbs!
#5 EASY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD
This Italian Pasta Salad recipe is a tried-and-true family favorite.
It’s easy to make and uses simple ingredients. Perfect for any gathering, this pasta salad is bound to be a new favorite!
#6 Smoked Italian Pasta Salad
Smoking some of the ingredients on a smoker grill adds so much flavor to this smoked Italian pasta salad.
Salad recipes are already popular during the spring and summer months, and this one is really special.
#7 Caprese Pasta Salad
Transform the classic Caprese salad into a hearty and easy-to-prepare Caprese Pasta Salad!
This dish combines the beloved flavors of fresh basil, ripe tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella with pasta, making it an ideal choice for summer BBQs as a side salad or a satisfying vegetarian main course.
#8 ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD
This spring pasta salad features vibrant green asparagus, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, basil, and olive oil, all served with penne.
Asparagus Pasta Salad is a simple and fresh vegetarian delight!
#9 ITALIAN COLD SPAGHETTI SALAD WITH SHRIMP
This Italian-inspired spaghetti salad with chilled shrimp, garden veggies, and a zesty vinaigrette is just what you need.
It’s super easy to make and so delicious!
#10 Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
This grilled vegetable tortellini pasta salad is full of delicious Italian antipasto flavors and dressed in a light pesto dressing.
Make a large batch because everyone loves it!
#11 bruschetta pasta salad
I’ve got something special for your next gathering — a fresh and flavorful bruschetta-inspired pasta salad!
It’s a fun twist on classic bruschetta with juicy cherry tomatoes, fragrant basil, and juicy mozzarella.
#12 Marinated Tomato Pasta Salad with Prosciutto
Feast your eyes on this Italian-style pasta salad featuring ripe tomatoes marinated in a tangy balsamic dressing paired with salty prosciutto and chewy pasta.
It’s a game-changer!
#13 Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
It’s the perfect way to savor the bold taste of homemade pesto in a delicious and easy-to-make pasta salad!
#14 Italian Grinder Pasta Salad
Craving all the delicious flavors of an Italian grinder sandwich?
Then you’ll love this satisfying pasta salad version! Salami, provolone, peppers, and a zesty Italian dressing make this the ultimate potluck or picnic dish.
#15 Italian Tuna Pasta Salad
This protein-packed pasta salad featuring flaky tuna, crunchy veggies, and a tangy Italian dressing is the way to go!
Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
#16 ITALIAN TORTELLINI PASTA SALAD RECIPE
Tortellini Pasta Salad with cheese tortellini, pepperoni, salami, mozzarella, olives, peppers, parmesan, and Italian dressing.
A fun, cheesy twist on classic Italian pasta salad!
#17 ORZO PASTA SALAD
#18 Summery Italian Pasta Salad
This summery pasta salad is a veggie-packed version of the Italian classic.
A lighter plant-based option perfect for lunch or dinner.
#19 Ditalini Pasta Salad Recipe
This dish features tiny ditalini pasta mixed with colorful veggies, olives, and a tangy Italian vinaigrette.
It’s a fun and flavorful recipe.
#20 Tortellini Caprese Salad
Prepare to be amazed by this cheese-filled tortellini, fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil, all coming together in a delightful tortellini Caprese salad.
#21 PASTA SALAD CRUDAIOLA BARESE
This traditional Italian Puglia dish features al dente pasta tossed with fresh tomato, basil, and hard ricotta, a few ingredients for a super delicious dish.
