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5.0 from 9 votes

Antipasto Salad

This quick and easy 20-minute Antipasto Salad is amazing! The recipe is everything that makes antipasto so popular with delicious Italian cheeses, meaty salami, fresh tomatoes, artichokes, salty Kalamata olives, and more! It’s then tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and a delicious homemade Italian herby balsamic dressing. 

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
22 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 303 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Salad , Appetizer , Lunch
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Antipasto Salad
  • 1 pound dry pasta such as penne, rotini, farfale, etc.
  • 1 cup genoa salami diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup artichoke hearts canned
  • 1 cup mozzarella cut into bite size pieces
  • ½ cup kalamata olives pitted
  • ½ cup roasted red peppers cut into thin strips
  • ½ medium red onion sliced
  • ½ cup Asiago cheese grated
Vinaigrette
  • 1 tablespoon dry Italian salad dressing mix
  • ½ cup olive oil extra virgin
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Boil the pasta. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. You will need about 2 gallons of water for one pound of pasta and about 2 tablespoons of salt to season the water well. Then drain the pasta and toss with some olive oil to keep it from sticking together, but do not rinse the pasta.
  2. Make the antipasto salad. Add the drained pasta and all the other salad ingredients together in a large bowl and toss to combine.
  3. Make the salad dressing. Add all the dressing ingredients into a small bowl and whisk well. You can also put all the ingredients into a small jar and then shake well to combine.  Whichever way you choose, just make sure to fully combine as you want the dressing to emulsify a bit, which will help the pasta to absorb the dressing.
  4. Toss and serve. Pour the prepared salad dressing over the antipasto salad and toss well. Then chill for at least one hour to let the flavors meld before serving.

Notes

  • Italian antipasto salad recipes are all about very simple, but high-quality ingredients. It's the refined flavor of better olive oil, cheeses, and meats that make a noticeable difference.
  • And use a lot of it! Think salty like the sea. You want the pasta to absorb some of the salt as it cooks for added flavor.
  • Once it’s done cooking, only drain the pasta. You do not want to rinse away the starch that will help the dressing adhere to the pasta.
  • This pasta needs to chill for at least one hour before serving. Ideally, a little longer as it gives the flavors time to meld together more.
  • Antipasto pasta salad will keep in the fridge for up to
  • in an airtight container. In fact, this pasta salad is often even better the next day! Which makes leftovers perfect for lunch!
  • Use quality ingredients. Italian antipasto salad recipes are all about very simple, but high-quality ingredients. It's the refined flavor of better olive oil, cheeses, and meats that make a noticeable difference.
  • Salt your pasta water. And use a lot of it! Think salty like the sea. You want the pasta to absorb some of the salt as it cooks for added flavor.
  • Do not rinse the cooked pasta. Once it’s done cooking, only drain the pasta. You do not want to rinse away the starch that will help the dressing adhere to the pasta.
  • Chill for at least an hour. This pasta needs to chill for at least one hour before serving. Ideally, a little longer as it gives the flavors time to meld together more.
  • Antipasto pasta salad will keep in the fridge for up to 6 days in an airtight container. In fact, this pasta salad is often even better the next day! Which makes leftovers perfect for lunch!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 303kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 32g (11%) Protein 9g (18%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 8g Cholesterol 10mg (3%) Sodium 411mg (17%) Potassium 162mg (5%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 393IU (8%) Vitamin C 10mg (11%) Calcium 133mg (13%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 303

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 303kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 32g 11%
Protein 9g 18%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 10mg 3%
Sodium 411mg 17%
Potassium 162mg 3%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 393IU 8%
Vitamin C 10mg 11%
Calcium 133mg 13%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.