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Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a must make for any occasion! A summer classic loaded with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, Italian ham, mozzarella, and fresh basil.

Close-up of a white bowl with pasta salad with Italian dressing, with tomato, mozzarella, basil leaves and shavings of Parmiggiano. The bowl is sitting on a white dishtowel with forks, a glass of water and white bowls.

Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is an essential for summer picnics, BBQ parties, and potlucks but also tastes great for lunch or as a quick weeknight meal! My family loves it for dinner in the warmer months. This delicious salad is so easy to make from scratch and can be prepared in advance. It tastes great on the same day but I think it tastes even better on the next day!

My classic Italian pasta salad is made with a homemade Italian dressing instead of mayo and tastes fresh and light – perfect for summer. The easy vinaigrette dressing is super flavorful and would also taste great with a fresh green salad. It’s my go-to Italian dressing!

This pasta salad with homemade Italian dressing is perfect for big gatherings. It makes enough to feed a crowd and is easy to prep in advance. A flavorful summer salad that everyone loves!

A white bowl with pasta salad with italian dressing, with tomato, mozzarella, basil leaves and shavings of Parmiggiano with a salad tong in it. The bowl is sitting on a white dishtowel with forks next to it.

Tips and Tricks for making Italian Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

  • I always use Italian-style ham for this salad. Prosciutto Cotto is an Italian cooked ham that’s not as salty as American ham. But if you can’t find Italian ham any cooked ham will work.
  • Roasted Pine Nuts give this salad a flavor kick. I love the taste but they can be quite pricey. You can substitute them with chopped walnuts, pecans, or leave them out if you can’t eat nuts.
  • You can make this pasta salad a few hours or a day in advance. Store it in the fridge and give it a good toss before serving.
  • Here are a few more tasty add-ins for this pasta salad: Arugula (add it just before serving), (spicy) salami or summer sausage instead of ham, green or red bell pepper, olives, chopped red onion.

Top-down shot of a white bowl with pasta salad with italian dressing, with tomato, mozzarella, basil leaves and shavings of Parmiggiano. The bowl is sitting on a white dishtowel with forks, a glass of water and salad tongs next to it.

Are you looking for more Summer side dishes?

Check out my Summer Recipes Category for more delicious recipes for the warmer months.

Close-up of a white bowl with pasta salad with Italian dressing, with tomato, mozzarella, basil leaves and shavings of Parmiggiano. The bowl is sitting on a white dishtowel with forks, a glass of water and salad tongs in the background.

What tools and products I recommend for making this Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Italian Pasta: This is my favorite brand of pasta for everyday use! I like to use Farfalle pasta for my pasta salad but you can also use Penne, Rotini, Elbow, or any pasta shape you like for your pasta salad.
Dressing Shaker: A dressing shaker makes measuring and mixing vinaigrette dressing so much easier.
Pine Nuts: These small nuts are so flavorful and taste even better when you roast them until they are golden brown.
Balsamic Vinegar: A high-quality balsamic vinegar is a kitchen must have! I always have two kinds in my pantry, a cheaper one for cooking and a high-quality one for salads where you can really taste the flavor. When buying balsamic vinegar make sure that it has no added caramels, flavors, or preservatives.

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5 from 1 vote

Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a must make for any occasion! A summer classic loaded with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, Italian ham, mozzarella, and fresh basil. Perfect side dish for BBQ parties, potlucks, or as a quick weeknight meal!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

For the Dressing:

  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp basil pesto
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the Pasta Salad:

  • 1 lb farfalle pasta or other pasta of choice
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls, halved
  • 1/3 cup diced dried tomatoes
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 8 oz Italian style ham, diced into 0.5" cubes
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves

Instructions 

  • Place all the dressing ingredients in a jar or dressing shaker and shake well until combined. Set aside.
  • Cook pasta according to packet directions until al dente. Drain cooked pasta and rinse under cold water. Transfer cooked pasta into large bowl.
  • Roast pine nuts at medium heat until they're golden brown and smell flavorful. Add to the pasta.
  • Add remaining pasta salad ingredients and drizzle over the dressing. Toss until combined. Serve at room temperature or store in the fridge until you want to serve it. This salad tastes great on the next day!

Nutrition

Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 611mg | Potassium: 497mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 375IU | Vitamin C: 10.6mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 2.2mg
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A white bowl with pasta salad with italian dressing, with tomato, mozzarella, basil leaves and shavings of Parmiggiano. The bowl is sitting on a white dishtowel with forks, a glass of water and salad tongs in the background.

About Julia Foerster

Hi, I'm Julia! Born in Germany, I call Canada now my home and love to share my favorite dishes with you! Here you'll find hundreds of recipes, all made from scratch, with lots of tips and detailed step-by-step instructions.

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