Can I make pasta salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! That's the best part. Enjoy this pasta salad at room temperature or cold. Yes, you can make this pasta salad two hours ahead of time. Let it sit on the counter (toss well before serving). Or, try making it a couple of days in advance and store in the fridge. This pasta salad will be the favorite side at your next BBQ or gathering!

Do you rinse pasta for pasta salad?

Do not rinse the pasta for cold pasta salad. It will strip the starches and make the oily dressing slide off the pasta. Instead- toss with 1/2 cup (not more) of the dressing, combine in a large shallow bowl and let cool before tossing in the fresh ingredients. Coat just so the pasta doesn’t stick together.

What is an antipasto salad made of?

Traditional Italian antipasto platters do not contain pasta. This dish takes all of the loved vegetarian ingredients of antipasto platter and adds pasta and homemade Italian dressing for the perfect pasta salad combo!

What does antipasto mean in Italian?

The word “antipasto” is derived from the Latin root “anti” meaning “before” and “pastus,” which means “meal. Thus, the antipasto course simply refers to the dish that precedes all others. This salad adds pasta with traditional Italian "antipasto" ingredients (minus the cured meats).

Antipasto Pasta Salad Recipe (with Italian Dressing)

Name: Antipasto Pasta Salad Recipe (with Italian Dressing)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound DeLallo Pasta; 1 cup orange or yellow bell peppers, chopped; 1 cup DeLallo Marinated Artichoke Hearts, chopped; 2 cups fresh arugula or spinach; 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half; 1 cup fresh small mozzarella balls; 1 (7-oz) package DeLallo Provolini Antipasti; ½ cup DeLallo Pine Nuts; 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped; 1 small shallot, finely chopped; 1 ½ cups DeLallo Balsamic Dressing, or homemade balsamic

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 pound DeLallo Pasta
1 cup orange or yellow bell peppers, chopped
1 cup DeLallo Marinated Artichoke Hearts, chopped
2 cups fresh arugula or spinach
2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 cup fresh small mozzarella balls
1 (7-oz) package DeLallo Provolini Antipasti
1/2 cup DeLallo Pine Nuts
3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups DeLallo Balsamic Dressing, or homemade balsamic

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, or cook slightly more than al dente.
Drain pasta, do not rinse, and toss with ½ cup of the prepared dressing in a large shallow bowl. Let cool for at least 15 minutes until pasta reaches room temperature.
Meanwhile chop all the veggies and prepare the basil. Add the veggies, antipasti, mozzarella, pine nuts and basil to a large mixing bowl. Add pasta and the rest of the dressing and stir to combine. Season with extra pepper and a squeeze of lemon, if desired.
Let cool in the fridge covered for several hours before serving. Toss again before serving and enjoy!

Author: Elena Davis
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Savory
Method: Italian
Cuisine: Italian