If you’re looking for an easy, colorful, and satisfying Italian Pasta Salad Recipe, this dish is the perfect choice. Loaded with tender chicken, halal beef salami, crisp vegetables, Parmesan cheese, and a tangy homemade dressing, it’s ideal for picnics, potlucks, meal prep, or a quick family dinner. Every bite delivers fresh Mediterranean-inspired flavors that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Perfect for meal prep and make-ahead lunches.
- Packed with fresh vegetables and protein.
- Homemade Italian dressing adds incredible flavor.
- Great for BBQs, picnics, and summer gatherings.
- Easily customizable with your favorite vegetables and pasta shapes.
- Family-friendly and halal-friendly.
Ingredients
Salad
- 3 cups uncooked rotini or small shell pasta
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
- ½ cup halal beef salami, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- ½ cup black olives, halved
- ½ cup roasted red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup English cucumber, chopped
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons full-fat mayonnaise
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add the vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, Italian seasoning, sugar, olive oil, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water for about 20 seconds. Allow excess water to drain completely.
- Chop the chicken, halal beef salami, tomatoes, cucumber, roasted red peppers, olives, parsley, and red onion.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, beef salami, vegetables, parsley, and Parmesan cheese to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated. This Italian Pasta Salad Recipe tastes best when every ingredient is well coated.
- Taste and adjust with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
- Refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving. Toss again just before serving.
Tips & Tricks
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent a mushy salad.
- Cool the pasta completely before mixing.
- Add dressing shortly before serving for the freshest texture.
- Freshly grated Parmesan provides better flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
- Substitute mozzarella pearls or feta cheese for a different twist.
- Add pepperoncini, spinach, or artichoke hearts for extra flavor.
- For a creamier texture, stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise before serving.
Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, High Protein
Notes
- Replace rotini with penne, fusilli, bow ties, or shells.
- Turkey breast can replace chicken if preferred.
- Add mozzarella balls for extra richness.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
- Serve alongside grilled chicken, burgers, sandwiches, or soup.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 465
- Protein: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fat: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 640mg
FAQ
Can I make this Italian Pasta Salad Recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare all the ingredients up to one day in advance and store the dressing separately until serving.
What is the best pasta for cold pasta salad?
Rotini, fusilli, shells, and bow tie pasta all hold dressing well and work beautifully.
Can I freeze pasta salad?
Freezing is not recommended because the vegetables and dressing lose their fresh texture after thawing.
How long does chicken pasta salad last?
Stored properly in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for up to 3 days.
Can I make this without mayonnaise?
Absolutely. Simply omit the mayonnaise for a lighter vinaigrette-style dressing.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Reheating: Serve chilled. If needed, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving and toss with a splash of olive oil or extra dressing.
Similar Recipes
EASY Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe is an easy cold pasta salad made with chicken, halal beef salami, crisp vegetables, Parmesan, and homemade dressing.
Ingredients
Salad
- 3 cups uncooked rotini or small shell pasta
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
- ½ cup halal beef salami thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
- ½ cup black olives halved
- ½ cup roasted red bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup English cucumber chopped
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons full-fat mayonnaise
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, Italian seasoning, sugar, olive oil, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water for about 20 seconds. Allow excess water to drain completely.
- Chop the chicken, halal beef salami, tomatoes, cucumber, roasted red peppers, olives, parsley, and red onion.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, beef salami, vegetables, parsley, and Parmesan cheese to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated. This Italian Pasta Salad Recipe tastes best when every ingredient is well coated.
- Taste and adjust with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
- Refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving. Toss again just before serving.
Notes
- Replace rotini with penne, fusilli, bow ties, or shells.
- Turkey breast can replace chicken if preferred.
- Add mozzarella balls for extra richness.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
- Serve alongside grilled chicken, burgers, sandwiches, or soup.
Conclusion
This Italian Pasta Salad Recipe is a fresh, flavorful, and versatile dish that’s perfect for busy weekdays, summer gatherings, and meal prep. Combining tender chicken, crisp vegetables, halal beef salami, and a zesty homemade dressing creates a delicious meal everyone will enjoy. Whether you’re preparing it for lunch, dinner, or your next barbecue, this easy pasta salad is guaranteed to become a favorite.