This is THE Pasta Salad of Summer
Bright, herby, cheesy, spicy, and creamy, this Zesty Italian Pasta Salad has everything you want in every single bite! Perfect for the 4th of July!
Hey Friends! When I tell y’all my Mom is the Pasta Salad Queen, that is not an exaggeration! For as long as I can remember, she has been begged to bring pasta salad to any cookout, picnic, gathering, etc. in the summer. I’ve always loved hers because it has the right balance of tangy, zesty, crunchy and creamy and the right combination of rotini noodles and crisp veggies. Because I can never get my version of her pasta salad to taste the exact same, I was inspired to make my own pasta salad recipe. One that was just as good and BAYBEEEE!!! This is it. This pasta salad is creamy, cheesy, zesty and also spicy if you choose it. From the sauce to the toppings, this is the one you’ll be making all summer long!
If you’re more of a visual learner, don’t worry, the video is coming tomorrow!
Tips for Making Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
What I love most about this pasta salad is that it’s really only a few steps: chop things up, boil the noodles, make the sauce and toss it together. So it’s super easy and only really takes about 20 mins to do the entire thing. Here are some tips to maximize the
- Don’t over boil your noodles! Cook the noodles according to package directions for al dente + 1 minute, and be sure to rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking. That will ensure they aren’t over cooked and too mushy in the dish.
- Choose the right shape noodle. Now me personally, I’m a Farfalle noodle girl for this one because it pairs up well with the small bites of everything else. My second choice would be rotini!
- This one is able to be made creamy or not. If you’re not into mayo-based pasta salads, skip it and add a little more pesto/Italian dressing/parmesan in the ratio you choose to get the balance you like!
- If you really want to amp it up, add the chili flakes. The spice brings a great balance to the dish that keeps people going back for seconds, and thirds and more!
This has jumped up to my favorite pasta salad for the summer and has already been requested at 3 different gatherings since sharing it with friends just a week ago! Pair this with some of my other great recipes for summer and have the best-tasting BBQ around.
That’s all I have for ya’ll today. If you make this, be sure to tag me using #lizeeangel or join the NikNacks and follow me!. You can find me on tiktok , pinterest, instagram, facebook, twitter and youtube!
The Best Pasta Salad for Summer
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup pesto creamy or regular
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Crushed Calabrian chili flakes optional*
- 12 oz farfalle pasta
- 4 oz prosciutto
- 1 6 oz jar sundried tomatoes chopped
- 1 shallot finely diced
- 3 tbsp chopped parsley finely chopped
- 6 oz mozzarella pearls/ciliengene
Instructions
- In a measuring cup or small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, pesto, Parmesan cheese and if using mayo & chili flakes. Mix to combine thoroughly and set aside.
- Lay prosciutto on a lined baking sheet, leaving space in between slices. Bake on 375 for 7-10 mins, or until it has crisped up. It will get more crispy as it cools. When cool enough to handle, chop into pieces and set aside.
- Cook pasta until it is just past al dente, but not yet too soft, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse. Allow to cool until its around room temp.
- Add pasta to a deep bowl, along with prosciutto, mozzarella, shallots, parsley and sun-dried tomatoes. Drizzle over 2/3 of the dressing and mix. If needed add more dressing until properly dressed. Pasta will absorb some of the dressing, so a little extra will prevent your pasta salad from going dry.
- Top with extra prosciutto, shaved Parmesan cheese, and lightly drizzle over the dressing, if desired. You can serve immediately, but I always refrigerate an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy!
Video
@heyyallitsnik I love a good pasta salad and this one has been spinning the block for 2 weeks now. Just in time for the 4th of July!! Our sauce has so much flavor built in, the only thing I added was some Calabrian Chili flakes for spice. I like farfalle, but use rotini if you cant find it. Whatever you do, must make it!! Full written recipe on the blog. Creamy and non-creamy version included for FREE! You know where to find the 🔗 #pastasalad #cookoutfood #bbqsides #july4th #fourthofjuly #4thofjuly #summerrecipe #20minutemeal #freerecipes #easyrecipesathome
♬ In the Mood – Glenn Miller
