The BEST Pasta Salad - Zesty and Zippy (2024)

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The recipe for The BEST Pasta Salad has always gone by another name in my family: “Grandpa’s Pasta Salad“. That’s because this recipe was one of his very favorites and he always requested it be served at special occasions.

That said, I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that this pasta salad recipe is also my husband’s favorite recipe.

Not ONE of his favorite recipes…his VERY favorite recipe…of all time. He literally groans when he seems me making it because he knows he’s about to eat half the serving bowl.

Ahh, the power of The BEST Pasta Salad!

Watch How to Make It

The BEST Pasta Salad Recipe

Pasta salad is a summer staple in the Midwest and it feels like everyone’s got their own special combination of ingredients that makes theirs the best. That said, I humbly believe there is no better pasta salad ingredient combo than mine. There, I said it!

This easy pasta side dish is chewy, crispy, crunchy, savory, zesty, and zippy, and we make it at least once a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The secret’s in the seasoning blend…

Ingredients Needed

• Pasta:My Grandpa loved this dish made with fettuccini though I usually use gluten free rotini pasta. I prefer Jovial Brown Rice Fusillivs a corn/rice blend rotini pasta. If you don’t need to eat gluten free, use regular rotini pasta.
• Tomatoes: Typically I use Roma tomatoes in this dish, but use whatever type of tomato looks best in your area.
• Cucumber: A peeled, seeded, then diced cucumber adds crunch and freshness to this pasta salad recipe. You can use a regular cucumber, or English cucumber.
• Pepperoni: We love the savory flavor that pepperoni adds to this dish. I strongly believe Applegate Naturals has the best pepperoni!
• Sliced Olives: Olives add to the savory, satisfying flavor to each bite.
• McCormick Salad Supreme: Special secret ingredient alert! This seasoning blend sets my pasta salad apart from any other. At the time of this writing, 3/24, it’s gluten free, and I have 4 jars in my freezer, ha!
• Zesty Italian Dressing: Zesty Italian Dressing is the other ingredient that really makes this pasta salad sing. I prefer Ken’s Zesty Italian, which is gluten free. If you don’t need to eat gluten free you can use Kraft’s version. I’ll also link to my homemade Italian dressing below.

How Do You Keep Gluten Free Pasta from Getting Hard?

The short answer is…you can’t. Sorry!

Cooked gluten free pasta typically does NOT keep well in the refrigerator for more than 2-3 hours before it hardens and becomes crumbly. That said, I find brown rice pasta holds up much longer and better in the fridge vs a corn/rice blend pasta, and recommend Jovial brown rice pasta.

The pasta salad is best served within 2 hours after making, though using brown rice pasta can extend that serving time by a day or so.

Okay, are you ready to dive into this bowl of deliciousness?!

How to Make The Best Pasta Salad

Step 1: Cook the pasta.

Start by cooking rotini pasta in salted, boiling water until cooked through. Again, I like Jovial brand gluten free brown rice pasta.

Once the pasta is tender, drain then rinse under cold water until the pasta is cool, then add to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add the toppings.

Next add chopped fresh cucumber andtomato, dicedpepperoni, andsliced olives.

Step 3: Add the seasonings and dressing.

Sprinkle on McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning then drizzle with Ken’s Zesty Italian Dressing and toss to combine. I usually use up to 1/2 cup of the seasoning (YES, 1/2 cup!) and around 1/2 of the bottle of salad dressing. Use as little or as much of both as you like.

• Tip: if you can’t find this particular dressing, my Best Ever Italian Vinaigrette is a great swap. If you can’t find the seasoning, here is a fabulous copycat seasoning blend.
• Tip: sometimes the Salad Supreme Seasoning is located by the salad dressings at the grocery store, near the croutons, etc. vs in the spice aisle, so look in both places if you’re having trouble locating it.

Serve the pasta salad immediately or cover then chill for 2 hours prior to serving.

I’m telling you: BEST. PASTA. SALAD. EVER! I hope you love each zippy and zesty bite —enjoy!

More Summery Side Dish Ideas

• Fruit Salad Recipe for a Crowd
• Gluten Free Potato Salad
• Best Baked Beans EVER
• Sesame Noodle Salad
• Napa Sweet Corn Salad
• Mediterranean Orzo Salad
• Cucumber and Tomato Salad
• Marinated Vegetable Salad

Photos by Ashley McLaughlin

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