Creamy Pepperoni Pasta Salad made with 6 ingredients and in under 30 minutes it’s perfect to serve as a side at your next barbecue or pot luck. Children and adults will love this fun twist on the traditional pasta salad recipe.
Barbecues and pot lucks always need a pasta salad. This recipe for Pepperoni Pasta Salad is a crowd pleaser and requires only a few ingredients. We have a group of friends who we like to barbecue often with. In order to do this we typically delegate each family to bring a dish or two. The host family almost always provides the main dish. These are small barbecue get-togethers, so I’m always searching for a smaller side dish to bring that doesn’t necessarily have to feed an army.
That’s where this Creamy Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad recipe was born. Everyone loves pepperoni pizza and pasta salad so why not marry the two together? Genius, right? You can thank me later. I know my family loves pizza like my pepperoni pizza popcorn and my Pepperoni Pizza Toast. So why not make a fun twist on a pasta salad, too!
In this post you will learn the following information.
Ingredients
- Suddenly Pasta Salad Creamy Italian – I like to use a boxed pasta salad mix as the base. If you can’t find this or don’t want to use this you can use any type of tubed pasta, dried Italian seasoning dressing, and some thawed from frozen, peas and carrots.
- Mayonnaise – This gives the creaminess to this pasta salad.
- Grape Tomatoes – You can leave them whole or cut them in half.
- Mini Pepperoni – I like the mini, but if you don’t have those you can use regular pepperoni and cut them in quarters.
- Fresh mini mozzarella pearls – I like the tiny pearls, but once again, you can use whole mozzarella and dice.
- Basil – Lots of fresh basil to bring the flavors up a notch in this semi-homemade pasta recipe!
Directions
Cook the pasta according to package; boiling for 13 minutes. While pasta is cooking, Slice grape tomatoes, pepperoni (if using regular size pieces), and separate fresh mozzarella pearls. Drain water and rinse with cold water. Set to the side.
In a large bowl combine mayonnaise and seasoning packet. Place cooked pasta in the bowl with the sauce mixture and then add in the grape tomatoes, pepperoni and fresh mini mozzarella balls.
Mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Before serving chiffonade the basil and mix into the pasta salad.
FAQs
Most pasta salads take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour to get cold in the refrigerator. This all depend on how much pasta salad you need to chill.
Yes, you should always rinse the pasta after you done cooking it for pasta salad. It will immediately stop the pasta from cooking, and it will also begin to cool the pasta to bring it to room temperature.
Pasta salad in general is not one of the healthier side dishes. It’s always best to make the pasta salad from scratch so it has less processed ingredients. The biggest concern with Suddenly Pasta Salad is that the sodium is on the higher side.
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks I’ve found helpful when making this recipe.
- Prep – Prep all the pasta salad ingredients while the pasta is cooking on the stove top. This will help expedite the preparation process.
- Rinse Pasta – Once your pasta is done cooking, rinse it with cold water until the pasta is at room temperature. This will help the pasta salad chill faster once it goes into the refrigerator.
- Chill – Once your pasta salad is mixed together, seal the salad with a lid or plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Side Dish Recipes
Here are a few of my favorite side dishes to serve at your next barbecue!
My garden is currently bursting at the seams right now with grape and cherry tomatoes and fresh basil among other things. I’m finding ways to incorporate tomatoes and basil into just about every recipe these days.
If you make this Italian pasta salad with pepperoni recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
Don’t forget to FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, and subscribe to my email list!
Creamy Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
Equipment
- Stove Top
Ingredients
- 1 pkg Suddenly Pasta Salad Creamy Italian
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 13 grape tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup Mini Pepperoni
- ½ cup Fresh mini mozzarella pearls
- ¼ cup Fresh basil chiffonade
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package; boiling for 13 minutes. Drain water and rinse with cold water. Set to the side.
- In a large bowl combine mayonnaise and seasoning packet.
- Slice grape tomatoes, pepperoni, and fresh mozzarella. Place cooked pasta in the bowl with the sauce mixture and then add in the grape tomatoes, pepperoni and fresh mini mozzarella balls. Mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Before serving chiffonade the basil and mix into the pasta salad.
Video
Notes
- If you don’t have mini pepperoni, you can quarter large slices of pepperoni.
- Can’t find pearl mozzarella at the grocery store? You can chop up pieces of fresh mozzarella in the salad.
Nutrition
Disclosure: There are affiliate links present in this post. That means if you click on a link and purchase something. I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continuous support of Katie’s Cucina!
Tina W
I want to try the Layered Curry Pasta Salad, it sounds delicious.
Jenna D
I’d like to try the Greek Tossed Pasta Salad
Sydney
I’d like to try the layered curry pasta salad.
Thomas Murphy
I want to try the
California Chicken BLT Salad
shelly peterson
I would like to try the California Chicken BLT Salad.
Amy C.
The California Chicken BLT Salad sounds amazing!
grace
anything southwestern is an automatic hit with us!
Sarah hayes
Id make the layered curry salad
Rosie
I’d love to try the Tuscan Style Tomato Pasta Salad recipe!
Elena
I would make the Grilled Caesar pasta salad
Kristen
I’d like to try the Layered Mexican Party Salad.
Catherine in MI
I would make the quick antipasto salad.
Patrick Siu
Id like to try the Layered Mexican Party Salad
Janet W.
I’d most like to try the Layered Mexican Party Salad!
Susan P.
I like the Creamy Italian Suddenly Pasta Salad.
Natalie
I would love to try the sunny broccoli pasta salad!
Amanda Sakovitz
Id like to try the Layered Curry Pasta salad!
Julie Wood
I want to try and make the Greek Tossed Pasta Salad! It looks so delicious!
Lisa Brown
I would try the Southwestern Ranch Pasta Salad recipe
Mary W
Layered Curry Salad looks yummy.