Italian pasta salad – with cherry tomatoes

Italian pasta salad – quick and easy

Today the pasta is served cold, because homemade Italian pasta salad is a delicious classic. The recipe is really easy to prepare and always makes for a great change on the table. Instead of mayonnaise, the recipe uses a light dressing made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar and pesto.

This ingenious pasta salad contains lots of typical Italian ingredients such as Parmesan, mozzarella and black olives and has a very special taste. Of course, plenty of fresh basil is also included. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a large portion of amore with this salad recipe!

Difference to German pasta salad

Homemade pasta salad is a real classic. In this country, it is often prepared with mayonnaise or broth. However, this pasta salad – served cold and prepared with a variety of ingredients and dressings – is not at all typical of traditional Italian cuisine. However, the great popularity of Italian cuisine has led to the emergence of “Italian” variations of pasta salad wherever there was a potato salad culture.

These international versions of the Italian pasta salad incorporate typical Italian ingredients such as olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh herbs and sometimes Italian sausages or cheese. You can certainly find an insalata di pasta in Italy today. But these are modern recipes that are not part of traditional Italian cuisine.

Wine recommendations for Insalata di Pasta

Light and fruity white wines go well with Italian pasta salad. A Pinot Grigio or a light Chardonnay harmonize perfectly with the fresh and hearty flavours of the salad. If you prefer something a little more unconventional, you can also serve a Primitivo Rosato with it.

Possible combinations for your pasta salad

This pasta salad goes well with a variety of dishes. It is the perfect accompaniment to grilled meat. Serve it with Italian specialties such as salsiccia, tagliata di manzo or bistecca. As part of a buffet or picnic selection, it complements other salads and cold dishes perfectly.

Tips for preparation

To get the best flavor out of your pasta salad, here are a few tricks for you:

• Use high-quality, genuine Italian ingredients. Good quality is particularly noticeable in olive oil, balsamic vinegar and pesto.
• If you like, you can refine the salad with toasted pine nuts and spicy rocket or wafer-thin slices of Parma ham on top.
• Serve the pasta salad in small mason jars with lids. Pre-prepared portions like these provide the wow effect.

Which pasta is suitable for the Italian pasta salad?

Short pasta such as the classics fusilli or farfalle are perfect. When it comes to short pasta, Italy still offers many imaginative shapes that you can play with in culinary terms, for example Vesuvio, Casrecce or Maloreddus. If you want to try something really unusual, try tortellini or gnocchi pasta.

From gluten-free to vegan: variation allowed

The great thing about this recipe is that it can be varied endlessly:

• For a gluten-free version, you can use gluten-free pasta.
• Vegans can replace the mozzarella with a plant-based alternative and use vegan pesto.
• For an extra protein kick, you can add grilled chicken strips or prawns.
• If there are lots of colorful vegetables hidden in the bowl, the pasta salad also tastes great without a side dish and is also good for your waistline.

Keeping Italian pasta salad fresh

To keep your Italian pasta salad fresh and tasty, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This prevents the salad from absorbing other odors from the refrigerator. The salad will typically keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. Check the salad before eating to make sure it is still fresh.

Italian pasta salad for the barbecue

Not to forget, Italian pasta salad is a great accompaniment for barbecues. Not only is it easy to prepare in advance, but it also makes a welcome change from the usual barbecue side dishes. Unlike salads with lots of mayonnaise, it can also be served on a buffet on hotter days.