Protein Packed Pasta Salad
Protein Packed Pasta Salad is a hearty, flavorful dish loaded with pasta, meats, cheeses, and fresh vegetables. This colorful salad is perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and summer gatherings. It can be served as a side dish or a complete meal.
With a zesty Italian dressing and plenty of mix-ins, this pasta salad is always a favorite and one that disappears quickly at any get together.
My family always requests this pasta salad for any get
together, and my husband makes sure there is never any
leftover.
Two of my daughters have to eat Gluten Free, so this is
wonderful if you use the Gluten Free Pasta also.
I like to buy the meats and cheeses from the deli so that I can get thick pieces and cut them into cubes.
HOW TO MAKE PROTEIN PACKED PASTA SALAD:
(Full list of ingredients and instructions in printable recipe card.)
INGREDIENTS
- rotini pastared
- red bell pepper
- green bell pepper
- ham
- salami
- pepperoni slices
- colby cheese
- provolone cheese
- cherry tomatoes
- Zesty Italian Dressing
INSTRUCTIONS
Cook the pasta, according to package directions. Drain and set aside to cool completely. Place in mixing bowl.
Cut the peppers into small pieces and add to pasta.
Cut the ham, salami, and cheeses into 1/2-inch cubes and add to the pasta, along with pepperoni.
Cut tomatoes in half and add to bowl.
Add the dressing slowly, tossing to coat all ingredients.
Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
Gently toss salad prior to serving, drizzle additional dressing if needed.
Some other great dishes to take to a cook-out are:
BAKED BEANS AND WIENERS
BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALAD
DEVILED EGGS
OLD FASHIONED POTATO SALAD
CHICKEN BACON RANCH MACARONI SALAD
Why You’ll Love Protein Packed Pasta Salad
- Every cookout or summertime gathering needs a pasta salad and this is so delicious.
- Easy to make and can be made ahead of time
- Recipe serves a large crowd
- Can be served as a side dish or a one dish meal
- It is easy to transport, colorful, and delicious.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Rinse in cold water and drain the pasta after cooking. Allow it to cool completely before adding the other ingredients.
- Use any fresh vegetables that your family likes.
- Different varieties of cheese can be used also.
- Allow this to chill at least 4 hours before serving. Toss ingredients gently prior to serving.
- This can be made a day ahead, but I recommend adding the cheeses the day of serving. At times my cheese has turned a little white after 24 hours.
How to Store
Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Do not leave out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if temperature is over 90 degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, Any pasta that is short, tube-shaped or twisted as these will hold the dressing better. Examples are cavatappi, fusilli, rotini, or medium shells. May also use a gluten free pasta.
Recipe was reviewed and no changes made 4/30/26.
PROTEIN PACKED PASTA SALAD
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper chopped
- 1 slice deli ham cut thick (8 oz)
- 1 slice cooked salami cut thick (4oz)
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni pieces or 10 pizza style slices, cut in half
- 8 oz chunk colby cheese
- 8 oz chunk provolone cheese
- 6-7 cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 1- 1 1/2 cups zesty Italian dressing
Instructions
- Boil rotini in salted water as directed on box, about 12 minutes; drain and cool. Place pasta in serving bowl.
- Add peppers to pasta. Cut ham, salami, colby and provolone cheese into 1/2-inch cubes. Add these ingredients, along with the pepperoni and tomatoes to pasta bowl.
- Add the Italian dressing slowly, tossing ingredients to coat all ingredients. Start with lesser amount of dressing and adjust to desired amount.
- Cover and chill at least 4 hours. Gently toss pasta again prior to serving.
Notes
- Rinse and drain the pasta after cooking. Allow it to cool completely before adding the other ingredients.
- Use any fresh vegetables that your family likes.
- Different varieties of cheese can be used also.
- Allow this to chill at least 4 hours before serving. Toss ingredients gently prior to serving.
- This can be made a day ahead, but I recommend adding the cheeses the day of serving. At times my cheese has turned a little white after 24 hours.
This recipe was shared on Weekend Potluck @Sweet Little Bluebird.
