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Homemade Italian Chop Pasta Salad. Creamy Italian dressing tossed together with pasta, assorted deli meats, plenty of sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella, cubes of provolone cheese, and shaved parmesan. YUM! This easy salad will surely become a staple in your kitchen this spring and summer! It comes together quickly and with very little effort. Enjoy this for dinner and save the leftovers for lunch. Or serve it up at your next spring/summer party, it’s always delicious.

Italian Chop Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

As we head deeper into spring and inch closer to Easter, I’ve really been trying to up my salad game. I’ve created fresh chopped salads, pasta salads, and yummy chicken salads, too. And we are loving them!

This is my Italian chopped salad, but made with pasta to make it that much better. This is so delicious!

OK, let me back up a little to my very first Italian salad experience. My aunt Katie brought an Italian pasta salad to a family party back in Cleveland. That salad inspired me to create the salad I’m sharing today.

Italian Chop Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

The salad had everything a classic Italian chop salad usually has. So assorted deli meats, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, tomatoes, olives, and then, of course, a creamy Italian dressing. It was so good!

When I remembered that night, I instantly recognized that I should recreate that salad. It sounded so yummy, and I knew it would be really great for Easter this weekend! It’s totally something my Nonnie would have served at her Easter dinner too, so I love all the family connections.

Italian Chop Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

Here are the details

Step 1: make the dressing

This dressing is full of so many delicious ingredients. First, olive oil, and then either balsamic or red wine vinegar. Even though balsamic is more traditionally used in Greek cooking, I love how the vinegar works in this Italian-style dressing too.

Then, lemon juice and a bit of tahini. I use the tahini to make the dressing creamy. If you’re opposed to tahini, I would try mayo. That will be great too!

Finish with a drizzle of honey, a shallot, garlic, dried oregano and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Italian Chop Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 2: cook the pasta and toss the salad

Next, boil off your favorite shortcut pasta. Add the steaming pasta to a big bowl. Then, while it’s still hot, toss the pasta with the dressing.

Tossing the pasta with the dressing while it’s still hot helps intensify the flavors. Make sure the dressing coats each noodle.

Italian Chop Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

Step 3: everything goes in

The final step is to toss all the remaining ingredients in: thinly sliced salami, cubes of pepperoni, mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan cheese. I love to add cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes, too. I think the mix of fresh and dried really adds something special—a great variety of texture and flavor.

Now, salty olives – these are a must, followed by red bell peppers, pepperoncini, and fresh basil.

If you have them or can easily find them, I will sometimes add arugula sprouts too!

Now do you see why I love this salad? It’s a great chopped Italian salad, only made better with fresh pasta!

I’m excited for you all to make this—it’s a yummy one! Plus, it’s really easy to mix together, so we, of course, love that, too! 

Italian Chop Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for other salad recipes? Here are a few ideas:

Caprese Caesar Pasta Salad

Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad

Greek Olive Pasta Salad

Caprese Chicken Pasta Salad

Creamy Avocado Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad

Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad with Tomatoes and Burrata

Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad

Lastly, if you make this Italian Chop Pasta Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Italian Chop Pasta Salad

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 673 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Instructions

  • 1. To make the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and whisk until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and chiles.
    2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain.
    3. In a large bowl, toss together the hot pasta and the dressing. Add the salami, pepperoni, cheeses, tomatoes, olives, pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncini, and basil. Toss, toss!
    4. Serve warm or cold. Enjoy!
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Italian Chop Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

5 from 11 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Comments

    1. Hey Gennine,
      Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was tasty! xT

  1. Hi! I would like to make this for meal prep for the week, any idea how long this would keep in the refrigerator?
    Thanks!

    1. Hey Alysia,
      I would say this is good for 4 days in the fridge. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT

    1. Hi Mary,
      So glad to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks for making it and your comment:)

  2. Just made this salad for a pot luck. Tasted good but if I do it again will definitely go for the red wine vinegar over balsamic. The balsamic in the dressing turned the pasta grey, not very appealing to look at.

    1. Hey Wally,
      Awesome!! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for making it! Sorry about the balsamic! xT

  3. 5 stars
    I love this salad and had never tried tahini in my dressing before. I did add chopped artichoke hearts also just because that how my family did it.

    1. Hey Camille,
      Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, I’m so glad it was yummy! xx

    1. Hey Kinzie,
      Love to hear this! Thanks so much for trying this recipe and your feedback! Have the best weekend! xT

      1. 5 stars
        This salad is so delicious. The honey and tahini add a special something to the dressing. This is what I’ll be serving at a baby shower I’m hosting soon. Thanks Teighan.

        1. Hey Kelly,
          Fantastic!! So glad to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks for giving it a try and your comment! Xx