I love pasta salad especially when it’s homemade. The box stuff just doesn’t do it justice. When it comes to cookouts, family events, and BBQs, one of the best side dishes you can make is homemade Cold Pasta Salad. Let me show how to make this easy side dish today!

I have to confess something. When I go to a potluck or an event, I judge the food based on the side dishes. Not the main dish. Not the dessert. I go for the side dishes for the win.

I can eat a whole meal of just side dishes. I love all the salads and the vegetables and the potatoes. Side dishes are hands down my favorite part of most meals. And this pasta salad is one I can eat all day long!

What is Classic Pasta Salad?

Classic Pasta Salad is simply just pasta with some veggies and Italian dressing. You want it to be cold as it just doesn’t taste as good when it’s warm. You can find classic pasta salad in a box at the grocery store, but this homemade recipe is seriously the best! All you need to do is cook up some noodles, add a few veggies and pepperoni, some cheese, and some Italian Dressing.

Cold Pasta Salad Ingredients

• 2 1/2 Cups Cooked Noodles (rinsed in cold water)
• 6oz Bag Pepperoni 
• 3oz Can Black Olives
• 16oz Italian Dressing 
• 12oz Bag Cheese Curds
• 1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes 

Pasta – For the best results, I suggest using a broad pasta such a rotini, fusili, penne or farfalle. Classic pasta salad uses a tri-color rotini.

Pepperoni – Grab a bag of your favorite pepperoni and slice it up. You can use turkey pepperoni or any variety you like.

Black olives – You can find the olives near the pickles in the grocery store. Grab a small can of pre-sliced black olives to save time.

Italian dressing – You can use any brand of Italian dressing for this pasta salad recipe. Some people prefer Olive Garden’s dressing, but I think they all work great. I got my dressing from Aldi!

Cheese – The best cheese for this recipe is a mild one like mozzarella. I suggest using either mozzarella cheese curds or the fresh mozzarella balls you can get in the deli section.

Extras – These are just the classic mix-ins for this cold pasta salad. You can always add your favorite extras like green olives, more cheese or even bacon!

How to Make Homemade Cold Pasta Salad

The best part about this salad is that it is super easy to make! You cook the noodles, slice your mix-ins and add it all together!

1. Place cooked noodles in large bowl.
2. Break up cheese curds/balls and place them in the bowl.
3. Slice pepperoni slices into 4’s and add to bowl. 
4. Add olives and tomatoes.
5. Pour in Italian dressing and mix well.
6. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
7. Serve & enjoy. 

How Long Does it Take Pasta Salad to Get Cold?

To make the pasta salad get cold quicker, when draining the cooked noodles, rinse them in cold water. Then, you can place your pasta salad into the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes and it’s perfectly cool and ready to eat. Otherwise, it may take up to 30-40 minutes for the pasta salad to cool if you do not rinse the noodles with cold water.

How to Store Leftovers

I actually like to make my cold pasta salad the day before we eat it. It has time to marinate and tastes so much better the next day. To store your pasta salad, simply put it in a bowl with a lid. Then, place it in the fridge.

Can I Freeze It?

You can freeze your pasta salad if you choose. However, it won’t last as long as other things you would freeze. In fact, it only lasts about a week or two in the freezer.

You can freeze the pasta separate from the other ingredients and dressing, or you can freeze it all mixed up together.

Be sure to put it in a freezer bag or a container that can be properly sealed.

How Long is Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing Good For?

Pasta salad stored in the refrigerator can last up to 5-days in the refrigerator. However, the pasta salad will be most delicious on the 2nd day as it has had time to marinate. Additionally, it can last about a week or two in the freezer.

What Meat Goes Well With Pasta Salad?

Pretty much any meat goes well with Italian pasta salad. I have made it with meat loaf, chicken, and so many dishes. I absolutely love making it when we cook out because I can make it the day before and it tastes even better after a day in the fridge. I prefer to make it when we grill hamburgers, hotdogs, Italian Steak Kabobs, or ribs.

Other Salads to Try

If you are a salad fan, we have tons of other salad recipes you can try. From pasta salads to steak salads, we have a variety of recipes you will love. Check them out below!

• Steak Taco Salad
• Creamy Pea Salad
• Best Potato Salad
• Chicken Fajita Salad
• Taco Pasta Salad
• Easy Instant Pot Macaroni Salad

Don’t have time to make this delicious side dish right now? Pin this post to Pinterest so you can easily find it later!