A simple, adaptable perfect Potluck Pasta Salad made with pantry ingredients. Assembled, chilled and ready to eat in about 45 minutes!
Warmer weather calls for picnics and potlucks. With family and friends coming together to celebrate, this perfect potluck pasta salad is quick and easy to throw together and share.
Completely customizable with whatever mix-ins you want to use, this pasta salad is delicious and can be made up to five days in advance!
About the Ingredients
Two keys to making a great pasta salad are creating the right balance of dressing to noodles and creating the right ratio of mix-ins. Having said that, you need about 4 cups of mix-ins total. Here’s some ideas and substitutions that work well in this perfect potluck pasta salad.
- Herbs – While I like to use fresh parsley in this pasta salad, you may be interested in adding or substituting dill, chives, oregano, basil or Italian seasoning (for a total of 1 tablespoon fresh / 1 teaspoon dried) in any combination.
- Salami – any hard salami, such as Genoa, Felino, or Sopressata can be used for this pasta salad. Other options that could be used are pepperoni or ham.
- Olives – The saltiness of Kalamata olives is a wonderful addition to this pasta salad but if you don’t have them or you don’t like them, black olives or green onions could be used.
- Cheese – String cheese is a great addition to this pasta salad because it is convenient and always in my pantry but seriously, it’s cheese. Any mozzarella, cheddar, feta, blue cheese – literally anything that you have or want to use can be used.
- Cucumber – I love the fresh crunch of cucumber in pasta salad but if you don’t have any or you don’t want to use it, you can substitute bell peppers in any color, pickled banana peppers, a little red onion, zucchini, or even broccoli could be used.
- Tomatoes – Little cherry tomatoes are pretty much expected in this pasta salad but you can substitute grape tomatoes or artichokes.
How to Make Perfect Potluck Pasta Salad
In a small bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients. Whisk to combine and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the curly pasta to al dente per package directions.Drain the pasta in a colander and run under cold water.
Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and add the salami, olives, cheese, cucumber, parsley and cherry tomatoes.
Add the dressing to the bowl and toss all ingredients together until evenly combined.
Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes (up to 5 days) for the flavors to meld before serving.
Serve chilled. This pasta salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy!
Other Great Shareable Recipes You May Like
Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip – uses Deli chicken salad to add a delicious twist to a potluck favorite!
Easy Homemade Ranch Dip – just seven simple pantry ingredients to create a delicious and easy Homemade Ranch Dip!
Southwest Egg Rolls – Delicious in the deep fryer OR the Air Fryer and so easy to make.
Party Pretzel Bites – these delicious little bites are addictive and always welcomed at any gathering.
Quick and Easy Bruschetta – restaurant quality Bruschetta is hiding in the ingredients in your refrigerator!
Bite Sized Sausage Rolls – The perfect holiday or game day appetizer!
Get The Printable Recipe Here
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Perfect Potluck Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
Pasta
- 2 cups curly pasta, cooked to al dente drained and rinsed with cool water
Mix-Ins
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley 1 tbsp dried
- 1/2 cup hard salami chopped into bite sized pieces
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives cut in half
- 1 cup string cheese sticks (about 4) cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 cup cucumber peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients. Whisk to combine and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the curly pasta to al dente per package directions.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and run under cold water.
- Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and add the salami, olives, cheese, cucumber, parsley and cherry tomatoes.
- Add the dressing to the bowl and toss all ingredients together until evenly combined.
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes (up to 5 days) for the flavors to meld before serving.
- Serve chilled. This pasta salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy!
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