The recipe for The BEST Pasta Salad has always gone by another name in my family: “Grandpa’s Pasta Salad“. That’s because this recipe was one of his very favorites and he always requested it be served at special occasions.
That said, I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that this pasta salad recipe is also my husband’s favorite recipe.
Not ONE of his favorite recipes…his VERY favorite recipe…of all time. He literally groans when he seems me making it because he knows he’s about to eat half the serving bowl.
Ahh, the power of The BEST Pasta Salad!
Watch How to Make It
The BEST Pasta Salad Recipe
Pasta salad is a summer staple in the Midwest and it feels like everyone’s got their own special combination of ingredients that makes theirs the best. That said, I humbly believe there is no better pasta salad ingredient combo than mine. There, I said it!
This easy pasta side dish is chewy, crispy, crunchy, savory, zesty, and zippy, and we make it at least once a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The secret’s in the seasoning blend…
Ingredients Needed
- Pasta: My Grandpa loved this dish made with fettuccini though I usually use gluten free rotini pasta. I prefer Jovial Brown Rice Fusilli vs a corn/rice blend rotini pasta. If you don’t need to eat gluten free, use regular rotini pasta.
- Tomatoes: Typically I use Roma tomatoes in this dish, but use whatever type of tomato looks best in your area.
- Cucumber: A peeled, seeded, then diced cucumber adds crunch and freshness to this pasta salad recipe. You can use a regular cucumber, or English cucumber.
- Pepperoni: We love the savory flavor that pepperoni adds to this dish. I strongly believe Applegate Naturals has the best pepperoni!
- Sliced Olives: Olives add to the savory, satisfying flavor to each bite.
- McCormick Salad Supreme: Special secret ingredient alert! This seasoning blend sets my pasta salad apart from any other. At the time of this writing, 3/24, it’s gluten free, and I have 4 jars in my freezer, ha!
- Zesty Italian Dressing: Zesty Italian Dressing is the other ingredient that really makes this pasta salad sing. I prefer Ken’s Zesty Italian, which is gluten free. If you don’t need to eat gluten free you can use Kraft’s version. I’ll also link to my homemade Italian dressing below.
How Do You Keep Gluten Free Pasta from Getting Hard?
The short answer is…you can’t. Sorry!
Cooked gluten free pasta typically does NOT keep well in the refrigerator for more than 2-3 hours before it hardens and becomes crumbly. That said, I find brown rice pasta holds up much longer and better in the fridge vs a corn/rice blend pasta, and recommend Jovial brown rice pasta.
The pasta salad is best served within 2 hours after making, though using brown rice pasta can extend that serving time by a day or so.
Okay, are you ready to dive into this bowl of deliciousness?!
How to Make The Best Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook the pasta.
Start by cooking rotini pasta in salted, boiling water until cooked through. Again, I like Jovial brand gluten free brown rice pasta.
Once the pasta is tender, drain then rinse under cold water until the pasta is cool, then add to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add the toppings.
Next add chopped fresh cucumber and tomato, diced pepperoni, and sliced olives.Â
Step 3: Add the seasonings and dressing.
Sprinkle on McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning then drizzle with Ken’s Zesty Italian Dressing and toss to combine. I usually use up to 1/2 cup of the seasoning (YES, 1/2 cup!) and around 1/2 of the bottle of salad dressing. Use as little or as much of both as you like.
- Tip: if you can’t find this particular dressing, my Best Ever Italian Vinaigrette is a great swap. If you can’t find the seasoning, here is a fabulous copycat seasoning blend.
- Tip: sometimes the Salad Supreme Seasoning is located by the salad dressings at the grocery store, near the croutons, etc. vs in the spice aisle, so look in both places if you’re having trouble locating it.
Serve the pasta salad immediately or cover then chill for 2 hours prior to serving.
I’m telling you: BEST. PASTA. SALAD. EVER! I hope you love each zippy and zesty bite —enjoy!
More Summery Side Dish Ideas
- Fruit Salad Recipe for a Crowd
- Gluten Free Potato Salad
- Best Baked Beans EVER
- Sesame Noodle Salad
- Napa Sweet Corn Salad
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Cucumber and Tomato Salad
- Marinated Vegetable Salad
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The BEST Pasta Salad
Description
The BEST Pasta Salad is a family recipe that's a hit at parties, potlucks, or as a zest side dish with dinner. Full of flavor and punch!
Ingredients
- 12oz gluten free rotini pasta
- 3 Roma tomatoes, seeded then chopped
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded then chopped
- 4oz pepperoni, chopped (Applegate Farms recommended)
- 2.25oz can sliced olives, drained
- 4oz jar McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning (MAY NOT NEED ALL)
- 16oz bottle Ken's Zesty Italian Dressing (MAY NOT NEED ALL)
Directions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil then add rotini and cook until tender. Drain then rinse under cold water until pasta is cold. Drain very well then add to a large mixing bowl.
- To the cooled pasta add tomatoes, cucumber, pepperoni, black olives, 1/3 of the bottle of Italian Dressing, and 1/4 cup Salad Supreme Seasoning then mix to combine. Taste then add more dressing and/or Salad Supreme Seasoning if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
- Leave a comment and star rating if you loved the recipe! Thank you for considering!
Notes
- Because this pasta salad is made with gluten free pasta, it's best eaten right away or chilled for up to 2 hours prior to serving. You may need to toss with additional dressing before serving if chilling first.Â
- Look for McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning by the salad dressings at the grocery store, or in the spice aisle.
- Click here for the homemade Italian Vinaigrette recipe >
- Click here for Copycat Salad Supreme Seasoning recipe >
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin
Halley 07.23.2015
Is this brand of pasta available in Iowa? Or do I have to order it online?
Kristin 07.23.2015
Hi Halley! I haven’t found it in Iowa (the company sent me some to try awhile ago,) but Barilla gluten-free pasta has the same taste and texture. I just didn’t have any of their rotini in the house when I made this!
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste 07.23.2015
This looks spectacular! I am a pasta salad fanatic (but only if it includes pepperoni and/or salami) and I love all of those seasonings and spices. YUM!
Kristina 07.23.2015
A small bottle of Zesty Italian dressing?
Kristin 07.23.2015
We’d use a whole small bottle on it but need more after it was refrigerated so get the big bottle so you can add more just before serving. Thanks for pointing that out – I’ll adjust the recipe!
Jennifer 07.23.2015
LOL, my family has been making this pasta salad for ages. It’s not a proper cookout without it. I just assumed someone in my family made it up. Glad to know others enjoy it as much as we do!
Becky 07.23.2015
I was thinking of making this a day ahead…do you think it would keep well?
Kristin 07.28.2015
Yep, should be fine if you make sure the pasta is rinsed under cold water really well, and you save the last bit of dressing for tossing with the salad the day you want to eat it!
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy 07.22.2015
Looks so good! I love pasta salad! Especially for the summer :)
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures 07.22.2015
OMG Kristin, you crack me up with the flashbacks. I’m definitely going to try this pasta salad. It looks so delicious!
Michelle 07.22.2015
It really is the BEST! I was asked to bring pasta salad to a 4th of July party and I found this on your blog. It was so easy and I got a lot of compliments :)
Beth Ann Chiles 07.22.2015
I am totally on board with this salad. A variation of it always shows up at church potlucks, right? Yum.
Blair A 07.22.2015
This is the exact same recipe my aunt has brought to our 4th of july picnics every year when I was a kid! My mom and I both make it now, its phenomenal :)
holly 07.22.2015
If you have a chance to try gluten free corn pasta, its amazing and very close tasting to regular pasta. Cooks up much nicer than most rice pastas. Also, most Renee’s Salad dressings are all gluten free. They are a fabulous brand. I don’t even make homemade gf dressings any more!
Kristin 07.22.2015
Totally agree! This Delallo pasta is corn pasta!
Alisha 07.22.2015
I had a hankering for pasta salad and bought all the ingredients to make it this weekend- except for the Salad Supreme seasoning! Thanks for the hot tip. I’m sure it will make it extra flavorful
Sarah 07.22.2015
I was JUST thinking about a pepperoni pasta salad. This looks amazing.
Sarah
Midwest Darling
Abby 07.22.2015
YUM. All of it looks so delicious & perfect for a summer BBQ! Can’t wait to make this – thanks for the recipe!
Leah @ Grain Changer 07.22.2015
Helllllllo picnic perfect pasta salad! Loving this cool pasta salad as I have an Italian pasta monster in my house (aka my husband) but sometimes HOT pasta in the summer is just too.much. (especially during this heat wave we’ve been having in DC!) LOVING all of the gluten-free copycat seasoning recipes, too! You’re heaven-sent :)
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona 07.22.2015
I love the addition of olives to pasta salad. Definitely not something I would have thought of, but it looks delicious.
hope 07.22.2015
I am going to a group “psychic reading” and luncheon this weekend and was looking for the perfect thing to bring – this is it!!! thanks for bringing this recipe back for summer!
Denise 07.22.2015
See, now this happens to me wayyyy tooooo often! I woke up, came directly to your blog to get the list of what I need to make the Asian Noodle Bowls I have been dreaming about since you posted that recipe, and now I am suddenly making Asian Noodle Bowls AND this pasta salad for dinner! UGH! I realize they do not go together, but I guarantee it doesn’t matter because I will be in heaven! :)
Britt@MyOwnBalance 07.22.2015
I love anything with pasta in it so this looks divine!
Ashley | the Pike Place Kitchen 07.22.2015
PEPPERONI. in PASTA SALAD? um, i can for sure get on board…