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
- Gluten Free Potato Salad
- Sesame Noodle Salad
- Napa Sweet Corn Salad
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad Pasta
- 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
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Love Cooking 04.17.2016
This is the best recipe I found for macaroni salad. My hubby even said it’s as good . Sometimes I like to use a mixture of different kinds of pasta, especially if I only have a little of this kind or that.
Shawnnah 02.22.2016
I made this last night and ..no lie..my husband said wow this is the BEST pasta salad I’ve ever had :) Too funny. Thanks for yet another great recipe!
Kristin 02.23.2016
HA – so glad to hear it! I’m craving a big bowl right now!
Rach 02.18.2016
I am interested in this recipe! Would it work to also serve it warm? I’ve learned that this is how my hubby may prefer. :)
Kristin 02.23.2016
Hi Rach! This recipe is best served cold. I hope he still likes it!
Nancy 02.06.2016
Kristin, have you ever tried this with turkey pepperoni?
Kristin 02.23.2016
I haven’t, but that would be totally fine!
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Titan Tyler 11.30.2015
OMG I thought I was the only one that loved salad surpreme. I love it in any salad. Not bad on baked potatoes either. We like it on homemade croutons too.
LissKB 08.20.2015
Not sure if you’ve tried this or if it’s sold near you, but Garlic Expressions salad dressing is so so delicious and GF:
My mom is a big fan, but only certain stores in CT sell it so she makes special trips and buys it in bulk like she’s a doomsday prepper ;-)
Kristin 08.21.2015
HAHA I am the same way about my favorite products – got to have multi back ups JUST IN CASE!
Annie Platte 07.31.2015
I really want to try to make this salad but I am having a difficult time finding the McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning. What grocery store did you find it at? Thank you.
Kristin 08.03.2015
Hi Annie! I made the mix myself (the link is in the recipe) as the seasoning mix is really hit or miss for which stores I can find it at. Usually HyVee has it though!
Meesha 07.30.2015
Just to let you know, I recently purchased McCormick’s Salad Supreme and it is gluten free.
Pamela Shapiro 07.29.2015
I do not like Italian dressing. I do not like pepperoni. I made this salad because I thought my husband would like it. I LOVE THIS SALAD! So refreshing, great mix of textures, and so simple to make. Will absolutely make this again and again!
Kimberly 07.28.2015
I made this pasta salad Sunday and it’s almost gone…it is by far the most simplest and delicious salad I have had in quite some time. Definitely making again.
Kevin @ Closet Cooking 07.25.2015
Nice pasta salad!
Medeja 07.24.2015
Pasta salad with pepperoni! Looks really great!
Danielle 07.24.2015
This is my go-to dish for any potluck, BBQ or picnic! Always a crowd pleaser and so easy to make! I’m in Minnesota, so maybe it’s a midwest thing?!
I also add in some cubed cheese to give it a little extra kick, and sometimes substitute the black olives for kalamatas, which is seriously the way to go!
Bella Bucchiotti 07.24.2015
This looks so full of flavour!
http://xoxobella.com/
Heather 07.23.2015
I’m pinning this because it looks so delicous! I’m hoping to try it out this weekend! Thank you, and I found your post on BlogLovin, would love if you checked my blog out sometime. Have a great night!
Denise 07.23.2015
Okay so I made this yesterday. I want to note, I HAVE MADE HUNDREDS of pasta salads. And you’re right! THIS IS THE VERY BEST! My husband is actually numb to all of my pasta salads, I make them THAT often. But he liked it last night, and took some to work today, and texted me that he wants me to make it again, and wants to bathe in the ‘red oil’ (dressing). I made the homemade italian dressing and the homemade salad supreme and I just absolutely love this pasta salad!
Kristin 07.23.2015
I am dying laughing – the “red oil” – totally!! So glad you found a winner you all like!