Pizza Pasta Salad

The perfect solution to your pizza and pasta cravings, this Pizza Pasta Salad is everything you love about Italian flavors in a cool, refreshing salad format. It combines rotini pasta with the bold bite of pepperoni, juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and a tangy Italian dressing, making it ideal for warm-weather meals and gatherings.

Whether you’re heading to a potluck, prepping for a picnic, or looking for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal, this dish will deliver on flavor and simplicity. It’s incredibly versatile and easy to customize, try adding mushrooms, banana peppers, or even artichoke hearts for your own twist. Best served chilled, this salad only gets better as it marinates in the fridge!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 12 oz rotini pasta (or any short pasta)

• 1 cup mini pepperoni slices

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 cup mozzarella balls (or cubed mozzarella)

• 1/2 cup black olives, sliced

• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped

• 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced

• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

• 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Let cool.

2. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, pepperoni, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, bell pepper, red onion, and parmesan.

3. Pour in Italian dressing, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

4. Toss until everything is well coated. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

5. Garnish with fresh basil and serve cold or at room temperature.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 410 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Pizza Pasta Salad: The Perfect Marriage of Two Comfort Food Classics

When it comes to crowd-pleasing dishes, few things can compete with the timeless appeal of both pizza and pasta. Each is beloved in its own right, pizza for its cheesy, savory, and customizable toppings; pasta for its versatility and satisfying heartiness. So, what happens when you bring the two together in one sensational dish? You get Pizza Pasta Salad, a cold pasta salad that packs all the flavors of your favorite pizzeria slice into a quick, refreshing, and incredibly easy-to-make recipe.

This recipe is more than just a fusion dish; it’s a celebration of textures and flavors. It’s creamy and cheesy, crunchy and tangy, herby and peppery, and delightfully colorful. Perfect for warm weather gatherings, school lunches, potlucks, or weekly meal prep, Pizza Pasta Salad offers the fun of pizza and the substance of pasta, all tossed together with zesty Italian dressing for a burst of flavor in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Easy to Make: One of the biggest advantages of this salad is how simple and fast it is to prepare. With minimal cooking, just boiling pasta and lots of chopping and tossing, it’s a no-fuss recipe that even beginners can confidently tackle.

2. Great for Meal Prep: Pizza Pasta Salad holds up extremely well in the fridge, making it ideal for make-ahead lunches or dinners. In fact, the flavors intensify as it chills, creating an even tastier salad the next day.

3. Customizable: Just like pizza, this salad welcomes any number of ingredient combinations. Prefer turkey pepperoni over pork? Want to add mushrooms or artichokes? Go for it. You can even go vegetarian or gluten-free by switching out ingredients to suit your preferences.

4. Family-Friendly: Kids love this dish because it tastes like pizza. Adults love it because it’s convenient and satisfying. It’s one of those rare meals that’s guaranteed to please all ages at the table.

5. Perfect for Gatherings: Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, picnic, birthday party, or game day spread, this dish is a reliable crowd-pleaser that holds its own on any buffet table.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make this pasta salad so delicious:

• Rotini Pasta: With its spiral shape, rotini is perfect for catching bits of cheese, dressing, and toppings. Other short pastas like fusilli or penne can be used, but rotini works best for holding onto all the flavorful components.

• Mini Pepperoni: These bite-sized slices add that signature pizza flavor and a satisfying, meaty chew. You can use regular-sized pepperoni cut into quarters or replace it with other meats like salami, cooked bacon, or grilled chicken.

• Mozzarella Balls: Creamy and mild, mozzarella balances the zesty flavors and adds a soft texture contrast. Use cubed mozzarella if you can’t find mozzarella pearls.

• Cherry Tomatoes: These juicy, sweet tomatoes provide a burst of freshness and color. Grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes also work well.

• Black Olives: A staple in many pizza toppings, olives add a slightly briny, earthy touch. Kalamata olives can be used for a bolder flavor.

• Bell Peppers and Red Onion: These veggies add crunch, sweetness, and a pop of color that makes the salad more vibrant and nutritious.

• Italian Dressing: This ties all the ingredients together with tangy, herby flavor. Use your favorite store-bought version or make a homemade Italian vinaigrette for even more flavor control.

• Parmesan Cheese: A finishing touch of salty, nutty parmesan adds depth and complexity to the salad.

• Herbs and Spices: Garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper lend that classic pizzeria aroma and elevate the taste of the salad.

Serving Suggestions

Pizza Pasta Salad is incredibly versatile when it comes to how and when it can be served. Here are a few ideas:

• As a Side Dish: Serve it as a side alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, or burgers for a refreshing balance.

• As a Main Course: Add more protein like grilled chicken, tuna, or chickpeas to turn it into a hearty main dish.

• Lunchbox Favorite: Pack it into lunch containers with a piece of fruit and a cookie for a well-rounded meal kids and adults alike will enjoy.

• Party Pleaser: It’s a no-brainer for buffets and potlucks. Make a big batch and watch it disappear.

• Summer Staple: Since it’s served cold and doesn’t require much stove time, it’s the perfect recipe for hot summer days when you want something satisfying but light.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Don’t be afraid to get creative with this salad. Here are a few ways you can make it your own:

• Vegetarian Version: Simply omit the pepperoni or replace it with grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms.

• Vegan Version: Use dairy-free cheese and plant-based pepperoni, and ensure your dressing is vegan-friendly.

• Low-Carb Version: Use a low-carb pasta alternative made from chickpeas, lentils, or spiralized zucchini.

• Spicy Kick: Add chopped banana peppers, red pepper flakes, or a splash of hot sauce for some heat.

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish safe for those with gluten intolerance or celiac.

Storage Tips

Store your Pizza Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It’s best served cold, and the flavors actually become more pronounced after it has had time to marinate. If the pasta starts to absorb too much dressing and becomes dry, just add a splash more dressing and toss before serving.

Avoid freezing this salad, as the texture of the pasta and vegetables may become mushy when thawed.

Make It a Complete Meal

To make this dish even more satisfying, consider pairing it with:

• Garlic breadsticks or focaccia

• A green salad with balsamic vinaigrette

• A light soup like tomato basil or minestrone

• A refreshing beverage like iced tea or sparkling lemonade

Conclusion

Pizza Pasta Salad is more than a clever combination of two favorite foods, it’s a celebration of everything we love about simple, flavor-packed meals that are easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Whether you’re cooking for a party, prepping your lunches for the week, or just looking for a way to make a weekday dinner feel a little more fun, this recipe delivers.

It’s endlessly customizable, perfect for all occasions, and requires minimal time in the kitchen. With its colorful ingredients, bold flavors, and effortless assembly, it’s no wonder this salad has become a summer staple for many home cooks.

So, the next time you’re torn between ordering pizza or boiling pasta, remember, why choose, when you can have both?