11 Cold Pasta Salad Recipes with Italian Dressing – Happy Muncher (2024)

If you’re looking for a cold pasta salad recipe with Italian dressing, you are in the right place!

I know you’re probably not feeling too thrilled about the prospect of making a pasta salad.

We’ve all been there.

But what if I told you that pasta salads are actually good for you?

And that I’ve got 11 recipes for you to try out, each with its own unique twist?

And what if I told you that every recipe uses Italian dressing?

You know, the salad dressing that is impossible to mess up, no matter how much you put in or which brand you buy?

Would that change your mind?

I certainly hope so!

Because whether it’s a side dish for a barbecue or a meal on its own (I won’t judge), these 11 pasta salads are sure to please.

They’re easy to make, they include ingredients like chicken, bacon, and tomatoes, and did I mention they’re good for you?

It’s time to get cooking—and to really enjoy your food.

See Also: What to Serve with Crab Pasta Salad? 12 Best Side Dishes

11 Cold Pasta Salad Recipes with Italian Dressing

You can use your homemade Italian dressing for these recipes, or you can use a store-bought version if you’re in a pinch.

1. Classic Italian Pasta Salad

If you’re looking for a delicious cold pasta salad with Italian dressing, I have the perfect recipe.

This recipe is a classic Italian pasta salad from AllRecipes.com that’s perfect for a buffet or a barbecue, and you can customize it with your favorite vegetables.

It’s also family-friendly, which is great for home cooks with picky eaters in their households.

This recipe serves 8 people, and the prep time is only 20 minutes—perfect for when you want to make something delicious but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

It’s easy to make and has just 223 calories per serving.

Some ideas for veggies are fresh mushrooms, sliced bell peppers, broccoli, or tomatoes.

You could use another type of pasta besides rotini (see also these rotini pasta recipes), too. Experiment with ingredients like olives or pepperoni!

2. Easy Italian Pasta Salad (copycat Suddenly Salad)

I’m always looking for new recipes to try.

I love to eat, and I love a good challenge in the kitchen.

That’s why I was so excited when I came across the recipe for this Easy Italian Pasta Salad—it’s quick, easy to make, and has that classic, zesty flavor you love with Italian dressing.

Plus, it’s a copycat of Suddenly Salad, so you know it’ll be super delicious!

If you’re like me and like to make your own dressings (or are just looking to save some money), you can make the dressing from scratch pretty easily.

But if you’re not into that or are just short on time, you can use store-bought Italian dressing instead.

You can also make this recipe vegetarian or gluten-free simply by swapping out a few ingredients.

One thing that makes this recipe so great is that it serves eight people—perfect for a family dinner or a cookout.

It also has 358 calories per serving—not too shabby for a pasta salad!

3. Italian Pasta Salad with Homemade Italian Dressing

I’ve got something amazing for you to try.

Pasta salad is the perfect weeknight dinner because it’s quick to make, and leftovers are even better!

Not only that, but if you make it with Italian dressing, well… it’s like taking a trip to Italy without leaving your kitchen.

If you’ve got a little time on your hands and you’re looking for a delicious cold pasta salad recipe with Italian dressing, this one from recipetineats.com is definitely one of my favorite picks.

It’s loaded with all things Italian: salami, olives, bocconcini, tomatoes and basil. Perfect for hot summer nights!

It’s ready in 25 minutes and this cold pasta salad recipe comes with a beautiful homemade Italian Dressing.

Plus, it serves 8 people and has 430 calories per serve—so it’s perfect for the whole family or even a potluck! (Tip: bring extra; everybody will love it!)

Give this recipe a try tonight—I promise you won’t be disappointed!

4. The Best Easy Pasta Salad

I’m not going to lie—this recipe is basically the best thing that has ever happened to me.

It’s called “The Best Easy Pasta Salad,” and it really lives up to its name.

It’s stupidly easy (like, ready in 30 minutes), it’s absolutely delicious (like, I can’t stop eating it), and I’m pretty sure it’s the thing that gives my life meaning.

You can find this cold pasta salad recipe on pinchofyum.com.

It comes with a beautiful homemade Italian dressing that I made for the first time and now I’m obsessed with it, because that’s how life goes.

The ingredients are simple: pasta (whatever kind you like!), tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini (those red little peppers), olives, and fresh basil.

They combine together in a way that feels impossibly luxurious, but you only need one pot, one bowl, and a spoon to make them happen.

And then when you want to eat it… don’t even get me started!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, don’t forget to leave some love on pinchofyum.com!

5. Antipasto Pasta Salad

This cold pasta salad recipe from AllRecipes.com is easy to make ahead of time, making it great for parties or picnics when you’re trying to serve a crowd.

It’s a delicious pasta, meat and cheese combination with a homemade dressing that can’t be beat.

It’s got 12 servings of 451 calories each, so it’s healthy as well as delicious! And yes—homemade Italian Dressing.

How could you go wrong?

6. Italian Pesto Pasta Salad

When it’s summertime and the weather is balmy, nothing hits the spot like a big bowl of pasta salad.

And if you’re looking for a delicious cold pasta salad recipe with Italian dressing to make this summer, look no further than Italian Pesto Pasta Salad from realhousemoms.com.

This “classic pasta salad recipe” has been a summer staple for years, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit at any potluck you bring it to.

Ready in just 27 minutes, this dish serves 10 people and is only 285 calories per serving.

And did I mention that it’s insanely delicious?

Italian Pesto Pasta Salad is an easy-to-make dish that will be sure to impress your guests and keep them coming back for more!

Pro tip: Add extra parmesan cheese on top for an extra cheesy flavor.

7. Italian Chopped Salad

If you’re looking for a restaurant-style Italian salad that is perfect for gatherings and potlucks, look no further than this Italian Chopped Salad.

This recipe is loaded with flavor and features a delicious combo of ingredients.

It’s ready in 20 minutes, so it’s the perfect last-minute recipe to whip up when you need something fast, or want to spend more time with your guests.

This recipe makes 10 servings, and each serving has 673 calories.

You might want to split one serving between two people if you’re looking for a lighter option for dinner.

8. Cold Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing

If you’re looking for a cold pasta salad recipe that’s delicious, easy, and versatile enough to serve on its own or as a side dish at a backyard BBQ, look no further.

This recipe from delightfulmomfood.com is one of my go-to’s: it’s made with gluten-free Rotini pasta noodles, cucumbers, broccoli, goat cheese, tomatoes, and a zesty Italian dressing.

It’s loaded with flavor and so easy to make that you can throw it together in 30 minutes or less.

Plus… the leftovers are even better!

This recipe makes four servings—perfect for serving at your next get-together. And here’s the best part… it’s vegetarian!

So it’ll be a total crowd-pleaser whether you’re serving vegetarians or not.

I also love this recipe because it makes great leftovers: I just top it with some more crumbled goat cheese and an extra drizzle of dressing and enjoy it for lunch the next day.

You could even toss in some sliced olives or pepperoni if you want to add some protein!

And at only 486 calories per serving, this salad is perfect for anyone watching their weight without sacrificing taste (because let’s be real—that’s half the point of pasta salad).

9. Rainbow Pasta Salad

Looking for something that’s quick, easy, and can be taken on picnics or to barbecues? Look no further!

I’ve found this cold pasta salad recipe on AllRecipes.com, and it’s called “Rainbow Pasta Salad.”

It serves 8 people and takes only 45 minutes to prepare and cook.

In addition to being great for family gatherings, this dish has a lot of flavor and is loaded with color, so it will make your table look amazing!

But don’t just take my word for it—try it out yourself.

Here are some tips:

• Want to add more protein? Add some hard boiled eggs.
• Want to make this gluten-free? Use GF noodles instead of regular ones.
• Want to add more vegetables? Throw in some broccoli or bell pepper!

10. Easy Caprese Pasta Salad

Summer is on the way, and this is the best time to enjoy a refreshing pasta salad.

The Easy Caprese Pasta Salad from somewhatsimple.com is a perfect option.

First of all, it’s SO fresh and easy to make.

It’s loaded with pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and topped with fresh basil and a balsamic dressing—delicious!

The salad is perfect for any summer potluck or BBQ.

It goes wonderfully with grilled chicken or steak, but you can serve it on its own as well if you’re going vegetarian!

The recipe comes together in around 20 minutes and has only 220 calories per serving, so it’s guilt-free too!

If you want to give the recipe a try for your next gathering, here are two tips:

• Don’t overcook the pasta
• Use tomatoes that are ripe but firm so they hold up well in the salad

11. Italian Pasta Salad with Salami

The classic combination of mozzarella, tomato and basil is paired with salami and pasta in this quick and easy Italian Pasta Salad.

It’s a great dish to take to a cookout or potluck, and a delicious way to use the leftovers from your favorite summertime entree.