Pizza Pasta Salad

This pizza pasta salad combines the classic flavors of pepperoni pizza with the ease of a simple pasta salad! The perfect mix of tender pasta, crunchy, fresh veggies, mini pepperonis, cheese, and a zesty Italian dressing make this cold pasta salad perfect for any occasion!

Table of Contents

1. The Flavors of Pizza in a Simple Pasta Salad
2. Pizza Pasta Salad Ingredients
3. How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
4. Recipe Tips and Tricks for Delicious Cold Pizza Pasta
5. More Simple Pasta Salads from I Heart Recipes
6. Pizza Pasta Salad Recipe

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Hey Cousins! Let’s chat about one of my favorite summertime dishes: pasta salad! If y’all have been around I Heart Recipes for a while now, you’ll know I love pasta salad. You name it, I got a recipe for it – classic Italian pasta salad, macaroni salad, shrimp salad, or something with a little more zing like dill pickle and ranch pasta salad. If there’s one thing that’s a summertime staple, it’s a fresh, tangy, cold pasta salad. 

We’re taking this recipe to a new level – combining the ever-popular flavors of pizza and pasta into one to-die-for dish: a homemade pepperoni pizza pasta salad!

The Flavors of Pizza in a Simple Pasta Salad

Now, I know what you’re thinking… how the heck can a pasta salad be as comforting as a slice of pizza?! Does anything compare to a hot, cheesy, carb-loaded slice of pizza pie? Absolutely, Fam. In this recipe, you’ll get all the flavor of a fully loaded pepperoni pizza. How do we do it? 

Pizza pasta salad combines tender pasta with some of your favorite pizza toppings – crisp, fresh bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Of course, you can’t forget the mozzarella cheese! Finish it off with mini pepperoni and a generous helping of zesty Italian dressing. It’s healthier than a slice of pizza (not that we’re counting calories over here… ever 😉), made with tasty, fresh ingredients, and oh-so-simple to toss together.

Pepperoni pizza pasta is perfect for just about any occasion – a family get-together or potluck party, a summer BBQ – heck, even if you just want to indulge and make it for yourself! I personally love to make this as meal prep (y’all know pasta salad only gets better overnight!) and enjoy it as a light lunch. Have I convinced you to try it yet? Yeah, I thought so. Now, let me tell y’all how to make it! 

Pizza Pasta Salad Ingredients

Most of your shopping list is going to be fresh ingredients. The good news is, this recipe is crazy simple to batch up or down – you can make a smaller serving if it’s just for you and double or even triple it for a party-sized serving. The full ingredient measurements are in the recipe card below. Here’s everything you need!

• Pasta: of course, you can’t have a pasta salad without it. Half a pound of pasta will make about 4 servings.
• Red and Green Bell Pepper: bell peppers bring a bit of crunch and color to the pasta salad. 
• Cherry Tomatoes: to play the role of pizza sauce, we’re using salad tomatoes. You can also swap in grape tomatoes here or any smaller variety.
• Red Onion: adds a little zing, a little crunch, and a whole lotta flavor! 
• Black Olives: another classic pizza topping; I love tossing in some black olives. Grab a can of black olives for ease.
• Mini Pepperoni: I think mini pepperoni is perfect for this pasta salad. You’ll get a little bit in every bite!
• Mozzarella Cheese: pizza isn’t pizza without cheese! Get creative here – use mini mozzarella cheese balls, shredded mozzarella, or cubed mozzarella.
• Fresh Basil: the perfect finishing touch, basil is the perfect fresh herb to pair with pizza pasta salad. 
• Low-Fat Italian Dressing: you can’t beat an easy store-bought Italian dressing. I choose low-fat dressing to keep it on the lighter side, but you can always use your favorite brand.

What kind of pasta should I use to make pizza pasta salad? 

Just like any pasta salad, the best type of pasta depends on what kind of salad you’re making. Macaroni pasta salad is always best with (you guessed it) elbow macaroni or a similar short pasta shape. Heartier pasta salads usually do best with a larger shape – one that will hold its own and hang on to the tasty dressing in every nook and cranny. I use penne pasta for my pizza pasta salad (just like I do in my pepperoni pizza casserole recipe). Another solid contender is a short, spiral shape like fusilli, rotini, or cavatappi pasta.

I can’t find mini pepperoni; what else can I use? 

Don’t sweat it – full-size pepperoni works just as well in this recipe! I’d suggest chopping it up to make it more bite-sized friendly. Cut the large slices in half or ribbons for a more even distribution. Not feeling classic pizza pepperoni? No problem! There are tons of pepperoni varieties to choose from, so take your pick. You could even go with salami instead (giving it much more of an Italian pasta salad vibe).

What other ingredients can I add to pizza pasta salad for more flavor? 

Some of my favorite (optional) additions are simple and easy. I love a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra sharp kick and a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. I have to admit, these are two garnishes I almost always include on pizza when I indulge. I also love a good sprinkle of Italian seasoning, which really enhances the flavor of the zesty Italian dressing.

How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad

How good do all of those ingredients sound?! Ooooh, Fam, I am lickin’ my lips just thinking about a plate of this homemade pasta salad on a warm summer day! Now, how to make it. Believe it or not, you need less than 30 minutes to finish to make this pasta salad. The hardest part is letting it sit untouched in the fridge, waiting for it to chill!

Here’s how to make this easy pasta salad recipe: 

1. Get a large pot of salted water boiling on the stove, and toss in your pasta. Cool until it’s just under al dente, then drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water. Set it aside. 
2. Prep and chop all your veggies. Give them a good wash, then cut them up. Try to keep them all around the same size.
3. In a large bowl, toss everything together – the pasta, red and green peppers, onions, tomatoes, olives, pepperoni, and cheese. Mix it well. 
4. Dress the pizza pasta salad with the Italian dressing and give everything another stir, making sure everything is nicely coated.
5. Cover the bowl and let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour until chilled.
6. Just before serving, garnish with your finishing touches – chopped fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, whatever you want! Serve and enjoy!

There you have it, Cousins! It’s a super simple, super tasty pizza pasta salad. It’s like a supreme pizza in pasta form except way lighter and more refreshing than a heavy, grease-coated slice of pizza. 

Recipe Tips and Tricks for Delicious Cold Pizza Pasta

Wanna kick this recipe up a notch? Cousin Rosie’s tips incoming! The beauty of pasta salad is that you can make it different just about every time – there are so many ways to customize and tweak a pasta salad recipe. Here are some pro tips and tricks to make sure you nail the recipe every time. 

• Get fancy with a homemade Italian dressing (which is way easier to toss together than you think). 
• Is your pasta getting stuck together? After rinsing it in cool water, drizzle it with a bit of olive oil and toss it around. This will keep the pasta from sticking together while you prep the rest of your ingredients. 
• There’s no limit on the kind of veggies you can include in pizza pasta salad. Include what you like, like artichokes, roasted red peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes. If it goes on a pizza, it can go in this pasta salad!
• Make it a legit salad by tossing the pasta salad with some leafy greens – a mixed greens salad or arugula can bulk up the salad, add some nutrients, and make it a more satisfying meal.

Serving & Storage Tips: Keeping Pasta Salad Fresh is Best

Everyone knows that leftover pasta salad is one of the finer things in life – all those flavors marry together in the fridge, the pasta soaks up all that zesty dressing, and everything is great. Whether you’re making this pizza pasta salad recipe ahead of time or on the same day, here are some ways to make sure it’s always tasting it’s best. 

• Always store your pasta salad in an airtight container. Ain’t no one wants those fridge flavors mingling with your pasta salad.
• This pasta salad is best served cold, so keep it in the fridge until right before serving. Don’t let it sit out at room temperature too long, either! Place the bowl in a cooler or bowl of ice to keep it nice and chilled while serving (if your setup allows). 
• If you make it a day ahead of time, refresh it before serving with an extra dose of dressing.
• Pasta salad does not freeze well, so enjoying it fresh is best. Pizza pasta salad lasts for 3-5 days in the fridge.

More Simple Pasta Salads from I Heart Recipes

Okay, Fam – that’s all you gotta know to make the most delicious pizza pasta salad! If you tried and loved this recipe, let me know in the comments! The next time you’re searching for easy pasta salad recipes, give some of these options a try: 

• Cilantro Ranch Pasta Salad
• Creamy Seafood Salad Recipe
• Easy Cold Rice Salad Recipe
• Southern Tuna Macaroni Salad
• BLT Macaroni Salad
• Cold Chicken Macaroni Salad
• Southern Macaroni Salad

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