Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad combines the flavors of pizza with the freshness of a toppings, creating a delicious dish that is perfect for gatherings, picnics, or a quick weeknight meal.
The magic of pizza pasta salad lies in its versatility. Customize it to your liking, adding your favorite pizza toppings: pepperoni, ham, bacon, bell pepper, onion, different types of cheese. Add anything that you love!
Whether you enjoy it as a light lunch, a side dish at a barbecue, or a picnic essential, this salad embodies the fun of shared enjoyment for everyone.
Please let us know if you try this pasta salad in the comments and ratings below!
Try some of our other favorite pasta salad recipes: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad, Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad, Viral Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad, or Creamy Cucumber Onion Tomato Salad.
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Ingredients for Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
- bowtie pasta, rotini pasta, fusilli pasta
- grape tomatoes
- red onion
- black olives
- green bell pepper (or any color bell pepper)
- mozzarella pearls or cubes
- mini pepperoni, diced pepperoni, or quartered regular pepperoni
- parmesan cheese
- fresh basil
- olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- Italian seasoning
- minced garlic
- salt
- black pepper
FAQs
Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad is a delicious twist on traditional pasta salad, combining the flavors of pepperoni pizza with pasta, your favorite pizza toppings, and a tangy dressing.
Common ingredients include cooked pasta (such as rotini, bowties or penne), sliced pepperoni, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, black olives, mozzarella cheese, Italian dressing, and pizza seasoning.
Yes, Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad is a great make-ahead dish. You can prepare it several hours or even a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad makes a delicious side dish for picnics, potlucks, or barbecues. It can also be served as a light lunch or dinner on its own. Pair it with garlic bread or breadsticks for a complete meal.
Top Tips
- Choose pasta shapes that can hold up well to the other ingredients and dressing. Fusilli, rotini, or penne are great choices as their nooks and crannies capture the flavors.
- Be sure to cook your pasta just until it's al dente—firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta can turn mushy in the salad.
- After cooking the pasta, rinse it under cold water to remove excess starch and stop the cooking process. This will help prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
- Use a variety of colorful vegetables to make the salad visually appealing. Cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, pepperoni, and olives are great options. You can also add fresh herbs like basil or parsley for added freshness.
- Taste your dressing before adding it to the salad. Adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning to suit your preferences.
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. This also helps to enhance the taste and texture.
- If you have leftovers, store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for a couple of days, but keep in mind that the texture of the pasta may change slightly over time.
How to make Pizza Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, add the cool pasta, halved grape tomatoes, diced bell peppers, black olives, red onion, pepperoni, fresh basil, and mozzarella cheese.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and other ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour, allowing the flavors to meld together. You can also leave it overnight for even better flavor development. Serve and enjoy!
Easy Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Pizza Pasta Salad
- 16 oz pasta
- ½ medium red onion, diced
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup pepperoni (mini, quartered, or diced)
- 6 oz. black olives
- 8 oz. mozzarella (pearls or cubed)
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, grated or shaved
- ¼ cup fresh basil
Italian Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 ½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, add the cool pasta, halved grape tomatoes, diced bell peppers, black olives, red onion, pepperoni, fresh basil, and mozzarella cheese.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and other ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour, allowing the flavors to meld together. You can also leave it overnight for even better flavor development. Serve and enjoy!
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