Antipasto Pasta Salad

This colorful Antipasto Pasta Salad recipe is loaded with cold cut Italian meats, swiss cheese, and spinach, then tossed with fresh herbs and olive oil. This is the perfect recipe for a hot summer day!

Love pasta salad? Then you need to try my BLT Pasta Salad recipe and Mexican Pasta Salad recipe!

pasta salad with fresh spinach, Italian meats and bow tie noodles in a large white bowl

Homemade Antipasto Pasta Salad

I love a good pasta salad. They’re quick, tasty, and an easy make ahead dinner. It is also a good recipe for the summer when you want to give the oven a rest. Great for feeding your family or a crowd!

This Antipasto Pasta Salad recipe is loaded with your typical antipasto ingredients — Italian meats, swiss cheese, tomatoes, and red onion. It’s everything you love in an antipasto salad mixed with whole wheat penne pasta. What’s better than that?! I also threw in spinach to give the pasta salad a nice crunch and some pops of green. The peppery salami pair well with the tangy swiss cheese and pasta.

This recipe is a light, fresh and healthier version of your typical pasta salad. There’s no mayonnaise in this recipe. I used fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs to flavor the salad without adding tons of calories. I also used whole wheat pasta to make this dish even healthier.

This is one of those recipes that gets better the next day or the longer the flavors have to set! You simply can’t go wrong with this homemade Antipasto Pasta Salad.

Simply toss your cooked pasta with your meats, cheese, herbs, and homemade vinaigrette. I added the spinach last because I did not want it to get bruised while I was tossing the pasta salad or too wilted before serving.

I like to drizzle extra olive oil on the pasta salad before serving as well as a pinch of crushed red pepper. Serve this recipe family style in a large platter or in a large bowl. Or you could take it with you on your next picnic or outdoor barbecue!

Pasta Salad Ingredients

  • Pasta: Use your favorite kind of pasta! We used bow tie pasta noodles.
  • Swiss cheese: Goes perfectly with the Italian meats. You could also use gouda, mozzarella or cheddar!
  • Italian meats: I used a trio of Italian meats: peppered salami, hot capocollo and hot calabrese. You can typically get a salami trio at the grocery store where they are all in the same pack. You could also just use one of the meats or try pepperoni!
  • Red onion: Diced red onion adds a nice bite to the pasta salad. If you red onion is too strong try soaking it in some water to take the bite out of it.
  • Tomatoes
  • Spinach: I add fresh chopped spinach for color and nutrients.
  • Lemon juice: Adds some tang and acidity to the dressing.
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Olive oil: I recommend using a good quality extra virgin olive oil in the dressing.
  • Herbs / Seasonings: Fresh chopped basil, parsley and dried oregano.

 

antipasto ingredients in large white bowl

How To Make Antipasto Pasta Salad

  • Start by cooking the pasta per the box instructions. My pasta took about 8 minutes for al-dente.

draining bow tie noodles in colander

  • After the pasta is done cooking add to the bowl with the rest of the ingredients.

overhead shot of pasta salad ingredients in white bowl

  • Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!

antipasto salad ingredients tossed together in white bowl

Variations

  • Not a fan of deli meats? You could omit them entirely or swap for grilled chicken or shrimp! But toss in some olives in their places to get some of that briny flavor.
  • Add more veggies! Sliced cucumber or diced bell peppers would be delicious in this Antipasto Pasta Salad recipe!
  • Change up the cheese! Mozzarella, feta, or goat cheese would work well here.
  • Use different pasta! Tortellini, penne, elbow or rotini would all work perfectly!

scooping up some antipasto pasta salad with a large silver spoon

Storage Instructions

Store this Antipasto Pasta Salad in an airtight container in your fridge up to 3 days. Allow to sit in the fridge for an hour to overnight before serving. The longer it sits and marinates, the better!

Italian bow tie pasta salad in white bowl with silver spoon

More Salad Recipes To Try

Antipasto Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
A colorful pasta salad loaded with Italian meats, swiss cheese, spinach and tossed with fresh herbs and olive oil. Perfect recipe for a hot summer day!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
  • 1/2 cup swiss cheese cubed
  • 1/2 cup Italian meats, diced I used a mix of peppered salami, hot capocollo and hot calabrese
  • 1 medium tomato medium dice
  • 3 tablespoon red onion medium dice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon basil chopped
  • 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 cup spinach, chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Images:
  • Start by cooking the pasta per the box instructions. My pasta took about 8 minutes for al-dente.
  • After the pasta is done cooking add to the bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
  • Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
594
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
19
g
29
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Cholesterol
 
31
mg
10
%
Sodium
 
579
mg
25
%
Potassium
 
162
mg
5
%
Carbohydrates
 
77
g
26
%
Fiber
 
9
g
38
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
23
g
46
%
Vitamin A
 
1180
IU
24
%
Vitamin C
 
9.7
mg
12
%
Calcium
 
117
mg
12
%
Iron
 
0.7
mg
4
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Antipasto Pasta Salad

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