Pizza Pasta Salad is the ultimate mashup of two favorite comfort foods in one delicious, easy dish. It combines tender pasta with all the bold flavors you love from pizza in a chilled, refreshing salad. Every bite is packed with savory meats, creamy cheese, and zesty dressing. If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing recipe, this one is guaranteed to impress.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Side Dish / Lunch
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 25 minutes (plus chill time)
- 🍴 Servings: 6-8 servings
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Savory, tangy, cheesy, slightly zesty
- 🍚 Best Served With: Grilled meats, sandwiches, burgers
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, best when chilled before serving
Summarize and Save This Content On
One of the best things about this pasta salad with pepperoni is how customizable it is to your favorite pizza toppings. You can easily swap ingredients or add extras to make it your own. It's quick to prepare and even better after chilling, making it ideal for make-ahead meals. Once you try it, our pepperoni pasta salad will quickly become a staple in your recipe rotation.
This was inspired by my mediterranean tortellini caprese salad and creamy shrimp pasta salad on this site, and pairs well with this jalapeno coleslaw.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Crowd favorite: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks and is kid-friendly with familiar flavors kids love
- Loaded with flavor: Customizable with all of your favorite toppings so it tastes just like your favorite pizza in salad form
- Make ahead: Works as side or main dish and tastes even better after chilling
Ingredients
This pizza pasta salad recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create bold, pizza-inspired flavor.
- Rotini pasta: Holds dressing well and adds texture
- Green pepper: Adds crunch and freshness
- Cherry tomatoes: Adds juiciness and sweetness
- Black olives: Brings salty, savory flavor
- Mozzarella cubes: Provides creamy, mild cheese flavor
- Mini pepperoni: Adds classic pizza flavor
- Parmesan cheese: Enhances richness and depth
- Italian dressing: Coats ingredients with tangy flavor
- Pizza seasoning: Brings everything together with classic pizza taste
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Meat lovers: Add sausage, salami, bacon, turkey pepperoni, ham, and chicken.
- Veggie version: Skip pepperoni and add mushrooms, onions and peppers.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or jalapenos.
- Greek: Add feta and cucumber or check out the best Greek pasta salad.
- Hawaiian: Ham, bacon and pineapple chunks.
- Add fresh herbs: Basil or parsley adds a fresh, bright flavor.
How to Make Pizza Pasta Salad
This pasta salad with pepperoni recipe is simple and comes together quickly in just a few easy steps.
Step 1: Prepare the pasta. In a large non-stick pot, cook the pasta according to package instructions to al dente. Drain and set aside while you prepare the other ingredients.
In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, pepper, black olives, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cubes, mini pepperoni, parmesan cheese, and Italian dressing.
Step 2: Mix the ingredients. Combine the ingredients well until they're well coated in Italian dressing.
Sprinkle the pizza seasoning over the salad. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Recipe Tips
- Storage: Store up to 4 days in airtight container in your refrigerator. For best results make pepperoni pasta salad ahead and chill for at least an hour or two so flavors meld.
- Cook pasta al dente: Helps it hold its shape after mixing. If you overcook pasta texture will not be firm.
- Toss gently: Prevents breaking pasta and ingredients.
- Add dressing gradually: Avoid overdressing and becoming soupy. You don't want a soggy salad.
- Chill before serving: Enhances flavor and texture after 1-2 hours.
- Customize toppings: Make it your own.
- Cut ingredients evenly: Ensures balanced bites.
- Add cheese last: Use firm mozzarella cubes and add them after the pasta has cooled to keep it from softening too much.
- Refresh before serving: Stir before serving to redistribute dressing. Add a splash of dressing if salad looks dry because the pasta absorbed too much while chilling.
If you love recipes like this pasta salad with pepperoni, you may also enjoy classic pasta salad and chicken bacon ranch pasta salad.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with margarita grilled chicken or air fryer round steak
- Add to BBQ spread or potluck table
- Pair with smash burger tacos, old fashioned hamburgers and ground pork burgers.
- Serve with loose meat sandwiches
- Pair with salmon pizza and double cheeseburger pizza
- Serve with air fryer garlic parmesan wings
- Serve with air fryer garlic bread for lunch
Recipe FAQs
No, freezing is not recommended because the pasta and vegetables will become soggy after thawing.
Yes, you can substitute Italian dressing with ranch, vinaigrette, or even a homemade pizza-style dressing.
Rotini works best because it holds the dressing well, but penne, bowtie, or shells are great alternatives.
Absolutely! Homemade dressing can enhance the flavor and give the salad a fresher taste.
More Salad Recipes
Do you love easy salads? Here are some recipes you may also enjoy trying.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Pasta Salad With Pepperoni
Ingredients
- 1 box (16 oz) rotini pasta
- 1 green pepper diced, substitute with orange, yellow, or red pepper if desired
- 3 tablespoons sliced black olives
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, grape tomatoes or diced roma tomatoes are great too
- 1 cup mozzarella cubes
- 1 cup mini pepperoni or quarter regular pizza pepperoni.
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 ½ cup Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons pizza seasoning
Instructions
- In a large non-stick pot, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Don't forget to add salt as it enhances pasta flavor. Run pasta under cold water to stop cooking process and help cool. Drain and set aside while you prepare the other ingredients. Salad must be as dry as possible so use a little paper towel to prevent a watery salad.
- In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, pepper, black olives, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cubes, mini pepperoni, parmesan cheese, and Italian dressing. Mix the ingredients well until they're well coated in Italian dressing. If using shredded cheese add before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Sprinkle the pizza seasoning over the salad. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- Storage: Store up to 4 days in airtight container in your refrigerator. For best results make ahead and chill for at least an hour so flavors meld.
- Cook pasta al dente: Helps it hold its shape after mixing. If you overcook pasta texture will not be firm.
- Toss gently: Prevents breaking pasta and ingredients.
- Add dressing gradually: Avoid overdressing and becoming soupy. You don't want a soggy salad.
- Chill before serving: Enhances flavor and texture after 1-2 hours.
- Customize toppings: Make it your own.
- Cut ingredients evenly: Ensures balanced bites.
- Add cheese last: Use firm mozzarella cubes and add them after the pasta has cooled to keep it from softening too much.
- Refresh before serving: Stir before serving to redistribute dressing. Add a splash of dressing if salad looks dry because the pasta absorbed too much while chilling.
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