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Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

Easy Italian antipasto pasta salad with rotini tossed in Italian dressing and loaded with deli-style salami, pepperoni, provolone, mozzarella, olives, and peppers. Chilling time lets the flavors meld for a platter-like bite in a make-ahead party salad.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 708
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb rotini pasta
  • 8 oz salami cubed
  • 8 oz pepperoni quartered
  • 8 oz provolone cheese cubed
  • 4 oz fresh mozzarella balls
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts quartered
  • 0.5 cup roasted red peppers sliced
  • 0.5 cup Kalamata olives halved
  • 0.5 cup pepperoncini sliced
  • 1 cup Italian dressing
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Method
 

Cook and rinse the pasta
  1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water so it stays firm for the salad.
Toss the antipasto mix
  1. Combine the rotini pasta, salami, pepperoni, provolone, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, artichokes, roasted peppers, olives, and pepperoncini in a large bowl. Spread everything evenly so the mix looks charcuterie-style.
  2. Add the Italian dressing, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning to the bowl. Toss until every piece is coated with a glossy dressing.
Chill and finish
  1. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Cover the bowl to prevent drying while it chills.
  2. Toss again before serving and add more Italian dressing if needed. Taste and adjust so the salad has balanced seasoning throughout.

Notes

For best texture, rinse the pasta well and let it cool slightly before mixing so the cheese stays distinct. Store covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days; freeze is not recommended because the cheeses and vegetables can soften and weep. For a lighter option, use reduced-fat Italian dressing and part-skim mozzarella while keeping the same antipasto mix.