Bursting with bold flavors and has a pizza-inspired twist, this Pepperoni Pasta Salad is the perfect dish to satisfy your cravings. The tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, savory pepperoni, and zesty Italian dressing tie it all together in one delicious pizza pasta salad recipe.
Pasta Salad With Pepperoni
This delicious and easy-to-make pasta salad recipe is bursting with bold Italian flavors. This Pepperoni Pasta Salad, with its tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, and savory pepperoni is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner.
To make this delicious pizza pasta salad, simply cook your cheese stuffed tortellini according to the package instructions and mix it with chopped tomatoes, sliced pepperoni, shredded mozzarella cheese, and other ingredients. Toss everything together with a zesty Italian dressing, and garnish with fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor. The result is an Italian pasta salad that’s packed with all the classic flavors of a delicious pizza, and perfect for any occasion. The cheese stuffed tortellini is like having a cheese stuffed pizza crust as your base. Win-win.
Whether you’re a fan of traditional pasta salad or looking for a tasty twist, this pepperoni pizza salad will satisfy your cravings. The cheese stuffed tortellini, Parmesan and fresh mozzarella are the triple threat trifecta of cheesy goodness!
Pepperoni Pasta Salad Ingredients
These ingredients work together to create a flavorful and satisfying Pepperoni Pasta Salad.
- Dried Cheese Tortellini Pasta: The cooked tortellini pasta serves as the base of the salad, providing a hearty and flavorful pasta component.
- Italian Dressing: The Italian dressing is used to coat the pasta, adding a tangy and herby flavor to the dish while helping to bind the other ingredients together.
- Green Bell Pepper: Finely chopped green bell pepper adds a fresh and crunchy element to the salad, contributing a vibrant color and mild flavor.
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese: The finely shredded Parmesan cheese brings a nutty and salty taste, adding richness and enhancing the overall flavor profile of the salad.
- Mini Pepperoni Slices: The mini pepperoni slices infuse the salad with a bold and savory flavor, reminiscent of a classic pepperoni pizza.
- Sliced Black Olives: The sliced black olives contribute a briny and earthy taste, providing a nice contrast in texture and flavor to the other ingredients.
- Fresh Mozzarella Balls: The fresh mozzarella balls add a creamy and mild taste to the salad, creating a delightful contrast of textures and flavors with the other ingredients.
- Red Pepper Flakes: The red pepper flakes add a spicy kick to the salad, providing a hint of heat and an extra layer of flavor.
- Fresh Basil: Finely sliced fresh basil adds a burst of freshness and herbaceous aroma to the salad, enhancing the overall taste and presentation.
THE FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CAN BE FOUND AT THE END OF THIS POST.
Change Up Your Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad with These Variations
These recipe variations will help you add different flavors and textures to this Pepperoni Pasta Salad, while still staying true to the essence of the original recipe. Enjoy exploring these options and creating a customized version that suits your taste preferences.
- Italian Dressing Variation: Instead of using the vinaigrette dressing mentioned in the original recipe, replace it with a zesty Italian dressing. You can use a store-bought Italian dressing or make your own by combining olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried Italian herbs (such as oregano, basil, and thyme), salt, and pepper. The Italian dressing will add a tangy and herbaceous flavor to the salad.
- Creamy Caesar Twist: For a creamy twist, substitute the vinaigrette dressing with a Caesar dressing. You can use a store-bought Caesar dressing or make your own by blending together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Toss the salad with the creamy Caesar dressing for a rich and satisfying flavor.
- Balsamic Glaze Drizzle: Add a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor by drizzling a balsamic glaze over the finished salad. You can either use store-bought balsamic glaze or make your own by simmering balsamic vinegar and a sweetener (such as honey or brown sugar) until it reduces and thickens. The balsamic glaze will provide a delightful balance to the savory elements of the salad.
- Fresh Herb Enhancement: To enhance the herbaceous flavors, add additional fresh herbs to the salad. Consider mixing in chopped fresh basil, parsley, or oregano along with the other ingredients. The fresh herbs will bring a burst of freshness and aroma to the dish.
- Sun-Dried Tomato Addition: Include chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil for an added burst of umami and tanginess. These tomatoes will contribute depth of flavor and a slightly chewy texture to the salad. Adjust the amount based on your preference for intensity.
Pasta Salad: The MVP (Most Valuable Pasta) of Summer Picnics!
Get ready to twirl and toss your way to pasta salad perfection with these pasta salad recipes.
- Italian cold pasta salad is the undefeated champion when it’s time to pick a favorite chilled pasta salad.
- An incredibly tasty Greek pasta salad featuring a tantalizing homemade dressing that will leave you craving another bite.
- Indulge in the flavors of this antipasto pasta salad, accompanied by a tangy red wine vinaigrette.
- This show-stopping spicy pasta salad, boasts layers of flavor. Imagine creamy noodles, zesty pickled veggies, and vibrant fresh herbs coming together for a taste sensation that steals the spotlight.
- This rendition of ranch tortellini salad checks all the boxes, delivering simplicity and incredible flavor in every bite.
Toss and Taste the Magic
When life gives you pasta, make pepperoni pasta salad and feel free to snap a photo and tag @NOBLEPIG and #noblepig on INSTAGRAM. This recipe is going to up your pasta salad game in a very good way.
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How to Make Pepperoni Pasta Salad
Pepperoni Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Pepperoni Pasta Salad:
- 16 oz. dried cheese tortellini pasta (not fresh)
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- 1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 (5 oz.) bag mini pepperoni slices
- 1 (3.8 oz.) can sliced black olives
- 12 oz. fresh mozzarella balls
- 1 tbsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp. finely sliced fresh basil
Instructions
- Prepare tortellini pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, pour pasta into a colander and rinse with cold water.16 oz. dried cheese tortellini pasta (not fresh)
- Once cool transfer to a large bowl and gently toss pasta with Italian dressing. Add bell pepper, Parmesan cheese, pepperoni, olives, mozzarella, red pepper flakes and basil. Toss until all ingredients are fully combined.1/2 cup Italian dressing, 1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped, 1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, 1 (5 oz.) bag mini pepperoni slices, 1 (3.8 oz.) can sliced black olives, 12 oz. fresh mozzarella balls, 1 tbsp. red pepper flakes, 2 tbsp. finely sliced fresh basil
- Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least six hours. (Before serving, taste and toss with more Italian dressing if you think it needs it.)
Notes
Nutrition
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