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Best Classic Italian Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipe (Easy & Homemade)

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This Classic Macaroni Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is the perfect quick and easy side dish for barbecues, potlucks, and weeknight dinners. Made with simple ingredients like elbow macaroni, fresh vegetables, salami, and mozzarella, it comes together in about 30 minutes and tastes even better after chilling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup Italian dressing
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 large English cucumber, diced
  • 2 bell peppers (any color), diced
  • 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
  • 1 can (6 ounces) black olives, sliced
  • 8 ounces hard salami (such as Genoa), diced
  • 8 ounces mozzarella pearls, halved
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain and cool completely: Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water until no longer warm. Shake well to remove excess water. Spread the pasta out on a baking sheet in a single layer and let it cool completely, about 15-20 minutes.
  3. Prep your vegetables: While the pasta cools, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell peppers into bite-sized pieces (about 1/2 inch), finely dice the red onion, slice the olives if needed, and chop the parsley. Dice the salami into small cubes and halve the mozzarella pearls.
  4. Combine everything: In a large mixing bowl, combine the completely cooled pasta with all the chopped vegetables, olives, salami, and mozzarella. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
  5. Add the dressing: Pour about 3/4 cup of the Italian dressing over the salad. Toss until every piece is lightly coated. The pasta should look glossy, not swimming.
  6. Season and adjust: Add the chopped parsley and a generous amount of black pepper. Taste and add salt if needed (remember that the dressing, olives, and salami are already salty).
  7. Chill and rest: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results. Stir before serving and add a splash more dressing if it seems dry after resting.

Notes

For best results, cool the pasta completely before adding dressing to prevent a sticky, dry salad. Let the salad rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Refresh leftovers with a splash of dressing before serving. This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: classic macaroni pasta salad, Italian dressing pasta salad, easy pasta salad, potluck pasta salad, summer pasta salad, cold pasta salad, macaroni salad

Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/best-classic-italian-macaroni-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-and-homemade/