Italian Sub Pasta Salad โ Your New Go-To Summer Side Dish ๐ฎ๐น๐ฅ
If you love a good Italian sub, you’re going to flip for this pasta salad version. It’s everything you loveโsalty meats, crisp veggies, creamy cheese, zesty dressingโall tossed with perfectly cooked pasta to create a dish that’s bold, bright, and packed with flavor in every bite.
This recipe came together on a warm afternoon when I was craving something hearty yet cool, and honestly… it might be one of my favorite mashups yet. Think of it as your favorite deli sandwich, transformed into a shareable, picnic-ready bowl of comfort.
Whatโs Inside:
- Al dente pasta (I used rotini for all those dressing-catching curves)
- Salami, pepperoni, and ham for that classic sub vibe
- Cherry tomatoes, red onion, pepperocini peppers, and shredded romaine for crunch and tang
- Mozzarella pearls, because cheese = love
- Homemade Italian dressing (or your fave bottled versionโno judgment!)
Why Youโll Love It:
- Itโs meal-prep friendly and even better the next day.
- Itโs a crowd-pleaserโperfect for BBQs, potlucks, or easy lunches.
- It hits that nostalgic Italian sub flavor in a totally new way.
Serve it cold, or let it sit out a bit to let the flavors really mingle.
Italian Sub Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb Pasta of choice (I chose Rotini)
- 4 oz Pepperoni, small diced
- 4 oz Salami, small diced
- 4 oz Deli Ham, small diced
- 8 oz Fresh Mozzarella Pearls
- 1/2 Cup Red Onion, Small diced
- 1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes, Sliced in half
- 1/2 cup Pepperocinis, drained and sliced
- 4 cups Shredded Lettuce
Pasta Dressing:
- 2/3 cup Extra Vigin Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1.5 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Granulated Sugar
- 2 tsp Oregano, dried
Instructions
- Add the pasta to salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Shake well to drain off excess water, then place in a large bowl.
- In a small mixing bowl whisk together all the 'dressing' ingredients until well combined.
- Add all of the fillings (except lettuce if you are not serving the same day) to the bowl of pasta, then give the dressing another quick whisk and pour it over.
- Toss until everything is well combined. I like to let it rest for 10 mins or so, just to allow the flavours to marry and for the pasta to soak in some of the dressing.
- If you plan to serve the pasta salad a different day, add in the shredded lettuce at least 1 hour before serving the day of serving.
- Bone Apple Teeth!
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