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Easy Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad: A Refreshing Recipe for Any Occasion

Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad

By: Julia Pacheco

Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad brings all the beloved flavors of a classic pizza into a delightful, chilled pasta dish. This vibrant salad is generously loaded with savory pepperoni, creamy mozzarella, and crisp fresh vegetables, all tossed in a wonderfully tangy and aromatic dressing. It’s an irresistible combination that makes for a perfect light meal, an excellent side dish, or a crowd-pleasing addition to any potluck or gathering.

Prep Time:
15 mins

Total Time:
15 mins

Servings:
4 servings

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The Ultimate Summer Side: Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad

When the sun is shining and you’re craving something light yet satisfying, this Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad is your answer. It’s a brilliant fusion of two universally loved dishes: the hearty flavors of pizza and the refreshing simplicity of a pasta salad. Imagine tender pasta, bite-sized pieces of zesty pepperoni, creamy cubes of fresh mozzarella, and juicy cherry tomatoes, all coated in a vibrant, herbaceous balsamic dressing. This isn’t just another pasta salad; it’s a culinary experience that’s incredibly easy to prepare and guaranteed to be a hit with everyone at the table.

Our Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad is more than just delicious; it’s designed for convenience. With a mere 15 minutes of prep time, it’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights, last-minute gatherings, or meal prepping for the week ahead. The flavors meld and deepen as it chills, making it a fantastic make-ahead option. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, packing lunches for work, or simply seeking a fresh and flavorful dinner, this recipe delivers on all fronts. Get ready to elevate your pasta salad game with this simple, yet remarkably flavorful, dish!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy schedules.
Flavorful & Refreshing: A unique blend of pizza flavors in a cool, zesty salad.
Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by both kids and adults, making it ideal for potlucks and parties.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Tastes even better the next day, perfect for meal prep.
Versatile: Easily customizable with your favorite additions and variations.

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable pasta salad. Each component plays a crucial role in building the robust, balanced flavors that make this dish so special.

Main Salad Components:

10 oz rotini pasta: Rotini, with its spiral shape, is perfect for catching and holding onto the dressing and small bits of other ingredients, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. You can also use other short pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or farfalle.
2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced: Fresh cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweetness and acidity, balancing the richness of the cheese and pepperoni. Halving or quartering them ensures they are easy to eat and distribute evenly throughout the salad.
8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes: Creamy, mild mozzarella cheese provides a delightful textural contrast and a classic pizza element. Using fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) cut into cubes or small pearls works beautifully.
½ lb pepperoni, cut into triangles: The star of the show! Pepperoni brings its signature spicy, savory, and slightly smoky flavor. Cutting it into triangles adds visual appeal and makes it easier to mix and eat compared to whole rounds.

For the Zesty Dressing:

3 tbs olive oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil forms the base of our dressing, adding a smooth richness and helping to carry the flavors.
3 tbs balsamic vinegar: This is where the tangy, slightly sweet, and complex notes of the dressing come from. Balsamic vinegar perfectly complements the other ingredients, creating a bright and zesty profile.
½ tsp salt: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors in the salad. Adjust to your personal taste.
1 tsp Italian seasoning: A convenient blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, Italian seasoning ties all the pizza-inspired flavors together. If you don’t have a blend, you can use individual herbs.

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to assemble your delicious Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad. The key to a great pasta salad is proper pasta preparation and allowing the flavors to meld.

Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and Italian seasoning. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and the dressing is emulsified. Set this aside to allow the flavors to marry while you prepare the other components. For an extra punch of flavor, you can add a minced garlic clove to the dressing.
Cook and Cool the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it is al dente (firm to the bite). Avoid overcooking, as mushy pasta can ruin the texture of the salad. Once tender, immediately drain the pasta in a colander. Rinse the pasta thoroughly with cold water. This crucial step stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from sticking together, ensuring a perfectly chilled pasta salad. Continue rinsing until the pasta is completely cool to the touch.
Assemble the Salad: Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the sliced cherry tomatoes, the cubed mozzarella cheese, and the pepperoni triangles to the bowl with the pasta. Pour the prepared dressing over all the ingredients. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently stir everything together until all the pasta and other components are evenly coated with the dressing.
Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully. You can even prepare it several hours in advance or the day before. Give it a final stir just before serving. Enjoy this refreshing and flavorful salad as a light lunch, a side dish, or a main course!

Tips for the Perfect Pasta Salad

Achieving a truly outstanding pasta salad is simple with a few key considerations. Here are some tips to ensure your Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad turns out perfectly every time:

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente pasta holds its shape and texture better in a cold salad. Overcooked pasta can become mushy and absorb too much dressing, leading to a less appealing dish.
Rinse Pasta Thoroughly with Cold Water: This step is critical for pasta salads. Rinsing stops the cooking process, removes excess starch (which can make the pasta sticky), and cools the pasta rapidly, preventing it from clumping together and absorbing too much dressing prematurely.
Chill for Optimal Flavor: While you can serve this salad immediately, it truly shines after at least 30 minutes to an hour of chilling in the refrigerator. This allows the dressing to permeate the pasta and other ingredients, deepening and harmonizing the flavors.
Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Taste the salad before serving and adjust salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning as needed. Sometimes a little extra zest can make all the difference.
Use Quality Ingredients: High-quality mozzarella, flavorful pepperoni, and fresh, ripe tomatoes will elevate your salad from good to exceptional.
Make Ahead Advantage: This pasta salad is an excellent candidate for making ahead. Prepare it the night before or several hours before your event. Just give it a good stir before serving.

Variations & Customizations

This Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad recipe is incredibly versatile! Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to suit your taste preferences or whatever you have on hand. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Add More Vegetables:
- Bell Peppers: Diced red, yellow, or green bell peppers add crunch and a pop of color.
- Black Olives: Sliced black olives complement the pizza theme beautifully.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion offers a sharp, pungent bite. If you find it too strong, soak it in cold water for 10-15 minutes before adding.
- Cucumber: Diced cucumber adds a refreshing crispness.
- Artichoke Hearts: Chopped canned or jarred artichoke hearts (drained) bring a lovely tangy flavor.
- Spinach or Arugula: Stir in fresh greens just before serving for added freshness and nutrients.
Change Up the Protein:
- Salami: Swap pepperoni for salami or a mix of both for a different cured meat flavor.
- Cooked Chicken: Shredded or diced cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken can make this a heartier main dish.
- Mini Pepperoni: Use mini pepperonis for a different texture and ease of mixing.
Explore Different Cheeses:
- Provolone: Cubed provolone offers a slightly sharper, nuttier flavor.
- Cheddar: Small cheddar cubes or shredded cheddar can be a tasty addition.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a salty, tangy Mediterranean twist.
- Parmesan: A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese over the top just before serving adds an extra layer of savory goodness.
Dressing Variations:
- Red Wine Vinegar: Substitute balsamic with red wine vinegar for a different kind of tang.
- Fresh Herbs: Add fresh basil, oregano, or parsley, finely chopped, for an even brighter flavor profile.
- Garlic Powder/Onion Powder: For those who love garlic and onion but prefer not to use fresh minced varieties.
- A Touch of Sweetness: A tiny drizzle of honey or a pinch of sugar can mellow the vinegar if you prefer a slightly sweeter dressing.
Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a subtle kick.

Serving Suggestions

This Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad is incredibly versatile and can be served in many ways:

Potlucks and Picnics: It’s a quintessential dish for any gathering, easily transportable and always a hit.
BBQ Side Dish: A perfect refreshing side for grilled chicken, burgers, or hot dogs.
Light Lunch: Enjoy a generous portion as a standalone light lunch, especially on a warm day.
Weeknight Dinner: Serve alongside a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete, easy meal.
Meal Prep: Portion it into containers for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.

Storage Instructions

This pasta salad stores wonderfully, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. Store any leftover Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. We do not recommend freezing pasta salad as the texture of the pasta, cheese, and vegetables can become undesirable upon thawing.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Enjoy Your Homemade Pizza Pasta Salad!

This Pepperoni Mozzarella Pasta Salad is a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary. It’s a dish that embodies comfort, freshness, and pure deliciousness, making it a staple for any gathering or a delightful treat for yourself.

We hope you enjoy preparing and savoring this fantastic recipe. Its ease of preparation and crowd-pleasing flavors are sure to make it a regular in your rotation. Don’t forget to share your creations and tell us how much you loved it!

Tried this recipe? Let us know how it was!