Antipasto Pasta Salad, brimming with salami, Italian cheeses, roasted red peppers, artichokes, Kalamata olives and fresh herbs, is sure to make your next gathering a delicious one!
This dish speaks to me. It owns the colors, the aromas, the textures and the soul of Testaccio… a friendly, foodie neighborhood in the suburbs of Rome, Italy. (I know what you’re thinking… Aren’t all neighborhoods in Italy foodie?)
I’ve talked before about the food tour that Dom and I took in Testaccio when we celebrated out 25th anniversary. And although all of the days from that trip are held near and dear, this particular day is one that continues to show up in our conversations.
From our early stop at Volpetti Salumeria – the inspiration for this Antipasto Pasta Salad, to Flavio al Velavevodetto – with its award-winning Carbonara, to the little deli and its unforgettable supplì (fried risotto balls), all-natural gelato, freshly made bruschetta, and a final walk through Testaccio Market…
You can see why I can’t shake Testaccio’s crusty crumbs from the corners of my memory…
I’ve made this salad on numerous occasions and always when we’ve had a houseful. This salad goes a long way. I’ll make it as a pasta salad, and sometimes I’ll switch out the pasta for lettuce, tomatoes and basil.
Both salads are fabulous!
Antipasto Pasta Salad comes together quite simply by:
- Preparing your pasta al dente (of course!)
- Chopping your mix-ins into bite-sized pieces
- Whisking a little red wine vinegar with olive oil and black pepper
- Combining everything in a large bowl with a hearty sprinkle of Pecorino-Romano
- Finishing with a touch of Parmigiano-Reggiano (can never have too much cheese)
See? Simple!
Video proof….
If you’re planning for the 4th of July and would like to bring a little Italian flair to the party – here you go!
Buon Appetito!
Print
Antipasto Pasta Salad
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 lb. mini penne pasta, cooked to al dente and cooled
- 1/2 lb. Genoa salami, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 lb. sopressata, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 lb. sharp asiago, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 14 oz. artichoke hearts, drained and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz. roasted red peppers plus 3 Tbsp. juice
- 1 cup kalamata olives
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino-Romano
- Parmigiano-Reggiano for serving
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to box instructions and set aside.
- In a large bowl, place the pasta, the meats, cheeses, and artichokes.
- Slice the roasted red peppers and add to the bowl along with juices.
- Combine olive oil, vinegar and black pepper and pour over the entire dish. Add parsley and grated Pecorino.
- Stir to combine.
- Refrigerate until serving.
- When ready to serve, add Parmigiano-Reggiano and mix thoroughly.
- Enjoy!
In case you forgot to pin!
CIAO!
Love the video. OMG, and the cheese factor? YUM. I need to get my little Gavino to eat this salad as he can surely use the calories and he loves cheese. Thanks for sharing this beauty.
I hope your little Gavino loves it as much as we do! Good luck! 😉
This pasta salad totally speaks to me too! I could eat antipasto on a daily basis – your flavors here are so well put together! Yum! Hope you had a great 4th of July!
Hi Katherine! Thank you so much!! I am with you – I could eat it everyday, too!! 🙂
I am green with envy at your foodie tour. What a gorgeous memory! And i love how you wrote about it. I want a big bowl of this right now for lunch. My desk lunch is looking so incredibly pathetic next to it. All those flavours! MY Mouth is watering!!!
Wish I could ship you a big bowl! I highly recommend the food tour of Testaccio – it is unforgettable! Thanks, dear!
What a classic, delicious and fresh looking pasta salad, Annie. So much loving the awesome flavors in this pasta salad. Loved your video too. 🙂
Thank you, Anu! There’s a lot of flavor going on here!
I haven’t had pasta salad in a while! This one looks fantastic Annie! Great flavors 🙂 Will try it this weekend!
They’re such a treat! Thanks, my friend! Enjoy the weekend!!
A great pasta salad is what makes a meal fantastic! This looks lovely! Have a happy 4th of July! 🙂
You are right on!! Happy 4th of July, my friend! 🙂
Hi Annie! This pasta salad is calling my name! Your trip and specifically that special day sound amazing!! I love all the flavors from the cheeses, the salami, the artichokes, oh and I cannot forget the olives!! Superb! Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Take care.
It was a wonderful trip! From time to time I’ll pull out the photos and get lost in it all over again! Thank you, dear!
Antipasto platter for two is what I invariably order at good Italian places. (It is my criteria for how good they are:). I eat it all by myself and then proceed with dinner. If eating Italian, you better eat right? I wish I could stomach the penne, but I have issues with thick pasta(: I’ll just use bread croutons instead. Every single other ingredient you have here scores you major points with me Annie:)
Bread croutons sound like a lovely complement! Soak up all those gorgeous juices! Thanks, friend!!
This dish speaks to me too Annie! It’s my son Sean’s favorite kind of pasta salad! I’ll definitely need to try your version! Happy 4th!
Music to my ears!! Enjoy, my friend! Happy 4th! 🙂
Annie! I love this pasta salad, there is a similar recipe that has been in my family for years, and it is a success each and every time I make it! I will try your version very soon. Have a great weekend, my darling!
Isn’t it the best?! Thank you, my dear! Have a beautiful weekend! 🙂
This is my kind of pasta salad, Annie! I agree that you can never have too much cheese! Great video too! I love the fun Italian music!
Cheese is where it’s at!! Thanks, my friend! Have a beautiful weekend! 🙂
Can we please do a blog field trip to Rome and recreate that tour? OMG it sounds amazing. I’m starving right now just thinking about it. Loving this salad! Have a great weekend, Annie!
Yes! Yes! Yes! When do you want to go?! I can be ready in no time! 🙂
This is an absolutely perfect pasta salad and I love how you can change it up now and then 🙂 Loved the video!
These are very versatile ingredients! 😉 Thanks, friend!! 🙂
I love antipasto salads and often make a similar version, especially during the summer! Such pretty colors and flavors…and so perfect for the holiday weekend!
This is a classic! For good reason!! 🙂 Thank you, my friend! Have a great weekend!
I LOVE pasta salad and the flavours you have goin’ on here is pure yummy perfection, my friend! I can definitely see how this would feed a crowd. The lettuce version sounds good, but this chicka loves her carbs so pasta all the way for me (but, you already knew that, didn’t you ;)?) Awesome job on the video too! Pinned! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend! XOXO
This recipe makes a ton and will last the weekend for you! And I love how much the kitchen smells like an Italian deli as soon as I start chopping! So happy you like! Enjoy your weekend, my friend! Cheers! XOXO