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PEPPERONI PIZZA PASTA SALAD (+Video)

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5 from 1 vote

Pepperoni Pizza Pasta salad is a super-quick and super-easy pasta salad that packs a lot of flavor. Pasta, pepperoni, mozzarella and Italian dressing.

PEPPERONI PIZZA PASTA SALAD

This summer I’ve been craving cold pasta salads. So when I saw this recipe over at BASILMOMMA, it looked incredibly easy to make (which I liked!) but it was a little something different. Something to change up the usual cold pasta salad routine. It was incredibly tasty and there are a lot of possibilities with this one.Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad recipe in a bowl

VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:

WHAT VEGETABLES CAN I ADD TO THIS PASTA SALAD?

You could certainly add more of your favorite veggies to it like green peppers and mushrooms. If you get your hands on some fresh mozzarella or if you like to make mozzarella yourself, I think it would taste amazing in this. Let me show you how quickly this whips up!Pepperoni Pizza Pasta salad is a super-quick and super-easy pasta salad that packs a lot of flavor. Pasta, pepperoni, mozzarella and Italian dressing. #pastasalad #pizza

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
penne pasta
pepperoni
mozzarella cheese
Italian dressing
grape tomatoes
Parmesan cheese
penne pasta, Italian dressing, pepperoni, mozzarella, grape tomatoes, Parmesan cheese
Note: You can usually find these sticks of pepperoni near the bags of sliced pepperoni. If not, you can get a 1/2 lb. block of pepperoni from the deli counter at your grocery store.

HOW TO MAKE PEPPERONI PIZZA PASTA SALAD:

In a large stock pot of boiling water, cook your pasta until al dente (following the directions on the back or side of the box.) When finished cooking, drain and rinse pasta with cool water. Let it drain well, then add to a large lidded bowl.rinsing cooked penne pasta

Chop up all your mozzarella and pepperoni into 1-inch cubes. And slice the grape tomatoes in half (I usually cut them lengthwise).
diced mozarella, diced pepperoni, sliced grape tomatoes
  Add those to your cooled pasta
cooled penne pasta, diced mozarella, sliced tomatoes and diced pepperoni in a large bowl
Pour the bottle of Italian dressing on top. You don’t have to use the whole bottle. This all comes down to taste. Give it all a good stir.
Italian dressing added to pizza pasta
 Next, if you are using, add your shredded Parmesan Cheese and give it another good stir.
Parmesan cheese added to pepperoni pizza pasta salad
  Cover with plastic wrap or a fitted lid.
Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad in a large bowl covered with plastic wrap
Then pop it in the fridge to cool for at least 2 hours. And serve!Penne pasta salad with mozarella and pepperoni in a large serving bowl
Cook’s Notes: If you want to “up” the Italian flavor, you can always add additional Italian spices to this. Heather from Basilmomma suggested: 1 tsp. each of oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, garlic powder and salt & pepper (to taste).

Originally published: August 2012
Updated & republished: May 2019

Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad

PEPPERONI PIZZA PASTA SALAD

Pepperoni Pizza Pasta salad is a super-quick and super-easy pasta salad that packs a lot of flavor. Pasta, pepperoni, mozzarella and Italian dressing.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 601kcal
Author: Brandie @ The Country Cook

Ingredients

  • 1 lb box penne pasta
  • 1 (8 oz) package whole pepperoni
  • 1 (8 oz) package mozzarella cheese
  • 1 (16 oz) bottle of your favorite Italian dressing
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese optional

Instructions

  • In a large stock pot of boiling water, cook your pasta until al dente (following the directions on the back or side of the box).
  • When finished cooking, drain and rinse pasta with cool water.
  • Let it drain well, then add to a large lidded bowl.
  • Chop up all your mozzarella and pepperoni into 1-inch cubes.
  • And slice the grape tomatoes in half (I usually cut them lengthwise).
  • Add those to your cooled pasta
  • Pour your bottle of Italian dressing on top (using as little or as much as you like).
  • Give it all a good stir.
  • Next, if you are using, add shredded Parmesan Cheese and give it another good stir.
  • Cover with plastic wrap or a fitted lid.
  • Then pop the bowl in the fridge to cool for at least 2 hours before serving.

Video

Notes

If you want to "up" the Italian flavor, you can always add additional Italian spices to this: 1 tsp. each of Oregano, Basil, Red Pepper flakes, Fennel Seed, Garlic Powder and Salt & Pepper (to taste).

Nutrition

Calories: 601kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 1339mg | Potassium: 326mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 8.4% | Vitamin C: 3.6% | Calcium: 24% | Iron: 8.8%
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WANT MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS? CHECK THESE OUT!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Tracy | Screaming Sardine says

    Oh, that looks yummy! I made a pizza pasta salad – more like a casserole to be served warm. I LOVE this idea of a cold pizza pasta salad!

    Cheers,
    Tracy

    Reply

  6. Marsha says


    I'm not even wild about pasta dishes, but this looks absolutely mouth-watering. NICE! Thanks for sharing this simple dish. I'm sure my hubs would/will LOVE it!

    Reply

  9. ~Dawn~ says


    We have been making this pizza salad for years – love it! The idea is that anything you would put on a pizza would go well in here. We use all different colors/kinds of peppers, don't forget the mushrooms and olives and I never make this salad without red onions. Just a note….. if you plan to make this in advance the night before and maybe take it as a dish to pass at a picnic be sure to add the mushrooms the day of and as close to serving as possible – they turn dark brown and are fine however, they don't look to appealing 🙂 Yummy!

    Reply

  13. Kate says


    Thank you for posting this recipe! It is so easy and makes perfect leftovers for lunches and dinners! I didn't use pepperoni, and I had to use pepperjack cheese because I couldn't find the mozzarella block at the store. It turned out great! This is my current favorite dish 🙂

    Reply

  14. Janine says


    Made this today and it is absolutely divine! Great by itself or as a side dish and it couldn't be any easier. So glad I found you on Pinterest!

    Reply

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