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Katie's Cucina » Recipes » Side Dish

Pepperoni Pasta Salad

Published: Aug 20, 2020 · Modified: Oct 4, 2022 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links

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Close up of a tubed pasta salad with text on image for Pinterest.
Creamy penne pasta salad with tomatoes and basil text on image for Pinterest.
Two photos: top; glass bowl with tomatoes, mozzarella, pepperoni, basil. Bottom photo: red dish with pasta salad.
Top photo; red dish with creamy tubed pasta salad. Bottom photo with a top view of creamy pasta salad.
Top photo of creamy pasta salad top view, bottom of tubed pasta with tomatoes and basil.
Red dish filled with creamy penne pasta salad text on image for Pinterest.

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.

Close up of a creamy tubed pasta salad with tomatoes, basil, and pepperoni.

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!

Tube pasta salad with tomatoes and basil in a red dish sitting on a red checkered cloth.

In this post you will learn the following information.

  • Ingredients
  • Directions
  • FAQs
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Side Dish Recipes

Ingredients

Ingredients: Suddenly Pasta Salad, mozzarella, mayonnaise, pepperoni, tomatoes, basil.
  • 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

Top view of cooked pasta with vegetables in a clear glass bowl on a red and white cloth.

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.

Top view of mini pepperoni, mozzarella pearls, sliced tomatoes and basil in a glass bowl.

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.

Mixed creamy penne pasta with sliced grape tomatoes and pepperoni in a glass bowl with green spatula.

Mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Before serving chiffonade the basil and mix into the pasta salad.

FAQs

How long does it take for pasta salad to get cold?

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.

Should you rinse pasta for pasta salad?

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.

Is Suddenly Pasta Salad healthy?

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.

Top view of creamy tubed pasta salad with sliced grape tomatoes, basil, and chopped pepperoni.

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.
Close up of penne creamy pasta salad with tomatoes and basil in a red dish.

Side Dish Recipes

Here are a few of my favorite side dishes to serve at your next barbecue!

  • Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Mango
  • Greek Pasta Salad
  • Potato Salad without Mayo
  • Mandarin Coleslaw
  • Arugula Pesto Pasta Salad with grape tomatoes

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

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.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Save Saved! Rate
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 12 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes minutes
Chill Time:: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 139kcal
Author: Katie

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

Serving: 0.33c | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 326IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @KatieJasiewicz or tag #katiescucina!

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!

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About Katie

Katie is a busy mom of 2 children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don't take hours to cook! She started her blog 15 years ago as a way to help others get cooking in the kitchen.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tara

    May 20, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    I want to try layered mexican party salad. 

    Reply
  2. Blessie Nelson

    May 20, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    I would try the chicken pesto salad

    Reply
  3. Gina M (Wild Orchid)

    May 20, 2015 at 6:43 am

    I would love to try this recipe–http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/quick-antipasto-pasta-salad/6cf0c2f7-405c-463e-a66a-d4eb62106822

    Entered the Rafflecopter as “Wild Orchid”

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com

    Reply
    • Katie

      May 26, 2015 at 5:10 pm

      You won!!! Please check your email!

  4. steve weber

    May 19, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    the Grilled Caesar pasta salad 

    Reply
  5. Sandra

    May 19, 2015 at 6:45 am

    The grilled caesar pasta salad look yummy, I love grilled romaine 

    Reply
  6. Laura J

    May 19, 2015 at 1:42 am

    Oh I would love to try the Quick Antipasto Pasta Salad first!  That looks so good!

    Reply
  7. Starla B

    May 18, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    That looks so good! I would also really love to try the Chicken Pesto Salad! This is so perfect for the hot weather during outside grilling weather! Yum!

    Reply
  8. Lyndsey

    May 18, 2015 at 11:33 am

    The mexican party salad sounds yummy!

    Reply
  9. Lauren

    May 18, 2015 at 11:31 am

    I would like to make the Chicken Pesto Salad.

    Reply
  10. Michelle L

    May 18, 2015 at 10:26 am

    California Chicken BLT salad

    Reply
  11. bridgett Wilbur

    May 18, 2015 at 10:15 am

    I would love to try the California Chicken BLT salad first but they all sound yummy.

    Reply
  12. Stacey b

    May 18, 2015 at 1:38 am

    I’d love to try the Greek tossed Pasta. I love Greek salads!

    Reply
  13. HS

    May 17, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    I will like to try Southwestern Ranch Pasta Salad recipe.

    Reply
  14. Kim

    May 17, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    Greek tossed pasta salad sounds good

    Reply
  15. Ashleigh @Being Cheap is Easy

    May 17, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    I love how the Curried layer salad looks! We LOVE Suddenly Salad in our house! I always add avocado and pepperoni to the ranch one. YUM-O.

    Reply
  16. Betsy R Barnes

    May 17, 2015 at 3:18 pm

    I would like to try the Betty Crocker Southwestern Ranch Pasta Salad recipe 🙂

    Reply
  17. Nancy

    May 17, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    I’d like to make the Layered Pasta Curry Salad.

    Reply
  18. Alison H.

    May 17, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I would try the Layered Curry Pasta Salad!

    Reply
  19. Annette

    May 17, 2015 at 7:17 am

    I would like to try the California Chicken BLT Salad recipe.

    Reply
  20. Crystal W

    May 17, 2015 at 2:37 am

    The Layered Curry Pasta Salad recipe looks fantastic!

    Reply
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I'm Katie Jasiewicz: home cook, food blogger, and recipe developer. A busy mom of two children who loves to feed her family delicious meals that don’t take hours to cook! My mission is to create easy-to-make modern comfort food for the busy family. (more)

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