italian sub pasta salad
Craving that classic deli sub flavor but in a refreshing, easy-to-eat format? This Italian sub pasta salad brings all your favorite sandwich fillings, like savory meats, tangy cheese, and crisp veggies, together with tender pasta in a zesty, herby dressing. It’s the perfect dish for picnics, potlucks, or simply a delicious weeknight meal that tastes even better the next day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All Your Favorites in One Bowl: Enjoy the iconic taste of an Italian sub without the bread.
- Effortlessly Delicious: Simple steps lead to a surprisingly flavorful and satisfying meal.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: A crowd-pleasing side dish or light main course for gatherings, lunches, or dinners.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Flavors deepen as it chills, making it ideal for meal prepping.
- Customizable Goodness: Easily swap out ingredients to suit your personal preferences.
- Refreshing & Hearty: A balanced blend of cool, tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and savory proteins.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for this delightful pasta salad. It’s helpful to organize everything before you begin.
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces (350 g) short pasta, such as rotini, penne, or fusilli
- Salt, for pasta water
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Mix-Ins:
- 4.5 ounces (125 g) baby plum or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4.5 ounces (125 g) fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved or quartered
- 2.5 ounces (75 g) pepperoni, thinly sliced or quartered
- 2.5 ounces (75 g) hard salami, thinly sliced or quartered
- 2.5 ounces (75 g) deli-style turkey, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.7 ounces (50 g) black olives, thinly sliced
- 6 small brined mild chili peppers (like guindillas), thinly sliced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, finely diced
- ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Pasta Choice: Any sturdy short pasta will work well here. Rotini or fusilli are great for catching the dressing and small pieces, but penne or farfalle are also excellent.
- Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine) are key for their soft texture and milky flavor. If you can’t find them, a block of fresh mozzarella cubed will do.
- Deli Meats: The combination of pepperoni, salami, and turkey gives that classic Italian sub profile. Feel free to use other cured meats like prosciutto or capicola, or omit some for a lighter version.
- Brined Chili Peppers: Guindilla peppers are mild with a pleasant tang. If unavailable, use sliced pickled banana peppers or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Red Onion: Thinly slicing the red onion is crucial to avoid an overpowering raw onion taste. You can also quickly rinse the sliced onion under cold water to mellow its flavor.
- Fresh Basil: Fresh basil adds a bright, aromatic finish that really ties the Italian flavors together. Don’t skip it!
Equipment
- Large pot for cooking pasta
- Colander
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
How to Make
Follow these easy steps to create your perfect Italian sub pasta salad.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta immediately and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water until completely cooled. Shake well to remove any excess water and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
While the pasta cools, combine all the dressing ingredients in a small mixing bowl: extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, minced garlic, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and the dressing is emulsified.
Step 3: Combine All Ingredients
Add the halved tomatoes, mozzarella balls, sliced pepperoni, salami, chopped turkey, sliced black olives, sliced chili peppers, and thinly sliced red onion to the bowl with the cooled pasta. Give the dressing another quick whisk and pour it generously over the pasta and mix-ins.
Step 4: Toss and Chill
Toss everything gently but thoroughly until all the pasta and ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. For best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes, or up to several hours, to allow the flavors to meld and deepen. Just before serving, stir in the fresh basil leaves.
Pro Tips
- Al Dente is Key: Don’t overcook your pasta! Al dente pasta holds up better in a salad and won’t get mushy.
- Cool Pasta Completely: Rinsing pasta under cold water stops the cooking process and prevents the salad from becoming clumpy. Ensure it’s completely cool and well-drained.
- Dress While Chilled: While some warm salads benefit from dressing while warm, for a cold pasta salad, ensure everything is chilled before adding the dressing for optimal texture and flavor.
- Rest for Flavor: Allowing the salad to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours, makes a huge difference. It gives the pasta time to absorb the dressing and for all the flavors to harmonize.
- Taste and Adjust: Always taste your dressing before adding it, and then taste the finished salad. Adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed.
Serving Suggestions
This Italian sub pasta salad is fantastic on its own as a light lunch, but it also makes an excellent side dish. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, a juicy burger, or any BBQ spread. It’s also a perfect companion to sandwiches and wraps for an elevated meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Italian sub pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Since this is a cold salad, no reheating is necessary. Give it a good stir before serving, and you might want to add a fresh drizzle of olive oil or a splash of red wine vinegar if it seems a little dry.
Variations & Substitutions
- Add More Veggies: Bell peppers (green, red, or yellow), cucumbers, or even artichoke hearts would be delicious additions.
- Cheese Please: Swap out mozzarella for provolone cubes, cheddar, or even crumbled feta for a different flavor profile.
- Protein Punch: Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or white beans for extra protein.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing or some chopped jalapeños can give it an extra kick.
- Herbal Refresh: Experiment with other fresh herbs like parsley or fresh oregano alongside the basil.
Nutrition Information
This hearty Italian sub pasta salad offers a satisfying balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. Each serving provides a substantial amount of calories, with significant contributions from beneficial protein and fiber. While naturally savory, it contains a moderate amount of sodium.
FAQ
Q: Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! This salad is even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance, adding the fresh basil just before serving.
Q: What kind of deli meat works best?
A: A combination of pepperoni, hard salami, and deli-style turkey creates the classic Italian sub flavor. Feel free to use your favorite deli meats or what you have on hand.
Q: Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
A: While fresh basil offers the best flavor and aroma, you can substitute it with ½ teaspoon of dried basil in the dressing if fresh isn’t available. Add it with the other dried spices.
Q: My pasta salad seems a little dry after chilling. What should I do?
A: Pasta tends to absorb dressing as it sits. If your salad seems dry, simply add a splash more extra virgin olive oil and a touch more red wine vinegar, then toss to refresh.
Q: Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?
A: No, this recipe contains several types of deli meat. To make it vegetarian, simply omit the meats and consider adding chickpeas, cannellini beans, or grilled vegetables for texture and flavor.
Conclusion
This Italian sub pasta salad is more than just a side dish; it’s a vibrant, flavorful experience that brings the beloved tastes of an Italian deli right to your table. Easy to prepare and even easier to devour, it’s destined to become a go-to recipe for any occasion. Whip up a batch and enjoy the taste of summer, no matter the season!
Recipe Card
italian sub pasta salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the pasta to salted boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Shake well to drain off excess water, then place in a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl whisk together all the dressing ingredients until well combined.
- Add all of the fillings to the bowl of pasta, then give the dressing another quick whisk and pour it over.
- Toss until everything is well combined. I like to let it rest for 10 mins or so, just to allow the flavours to marry and for the pasta to soak in some of the dressing.
