Spicy Italian Pasta Salad
With a light creamy dressing and flavorful add-ins like salami, artichokes and red pepper, this Spicy Italian Pasta Salad is a summer “go to” recipe. 
We’ve made a particular lettuce salad in our family for years. It’s called Spicy Italian Salad and packs a big punch of flavor from a blend of chopped salami, artichokes and homemade dressing. Mmmm!
So the other day, when I was thinking about freshening up pasta salad, the notion hit me. What if I converted my lettuce salad to “Spicy Italian Pasta Salad”!
Salad ingredients
I started with the salad ingredients, sans lettuce, then tossed in some halved cherry tomatoes (extra) Italian cheese and fresh basil ribbons.
Then I crossed my usual vinaigrette and the typical heavy mayo dressings for a creamy vinaigrette.
Served!
My family was in heaven since I don’t make pasta salad very often. The result was truly flavorful but without the heaviness of many pasta salads.
A small celebration
With picnic season coming up, having a nice pasta salad in your back pocket is important. And better yet, my “picky” daughter, now in her first grown up job, happily packed up a big container to take to work for lunch.
Picky kids devouring the leftovers? Now that’s a success story!
Time for a beer!
- • 12 ounces tricolor small pasta like fusilli
- • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
- • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- • 1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives
- • 3 Tablespoons julienned basil
- • 1 cup cubed Toscano or other flavorful Italian cheese
- • 1 can Artichoke hearts
- • 1 cup chopped salami (about 8 ounces)
- • 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- • ¼ cup olive oil
- • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- • ¼ cup light mayonnaise
- • 3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- • 1 Tablespoon Oregano
- • 1 Tablespoon dried Minced onion
- • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
- Cook pasta until just al dente. Plunge into ice water to stop cooking.
- In a large bowl, toss together diced pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced olives, julienned basil, cubed cheese, salami and artichokes.
- Whisk together dressing ingredients.
- Drain pasta, then add to salad ingredients. Add dressing and toss to combine
- Sprinkle shredded parmesan curls over top and serve.
Picnic Party Recipes
- Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Hungry Bear Picnic Salad by Simply Inspired Meals
- Lemon Dill Orzo Pasta Salad by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Red Cabbage Cole Slaw by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Sourdough Sandwich Rolls by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Spicy Italian Pasta Salad by Art of Natural Living
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I could devour this salad! I love all the flavors in there. And the tri-color pasta is so fun!
Delicious pasta salad…I sure could have this salad as my main meal…
Thanks for the recipe Inger…have a great week!
Looks really delicious !! xo
Thanks Gloria!
I make pasta salad several times a month in the summer and always look for new recipes. My husband wold love this spicy version!
I’ll have to check out your blog for pasta salads then!
Isn’t it great when the picky eaters finally love something? Mom for the win!
So true Karen! If you get a chance I’d love to hear what you think!
I love the sound of that dressing. Definitely going on my to try list. Thanks.
Thanks Wendy!
I’m really curious about the creamy balsamic dressing – sounds incredible!
I think the heaviness of the classic mayo pasta salad dressing was what kept me lukewarm about pasta salads. Now I’m going to have to play around more with them!