Name: Best Ever Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 24 servings
Ingredients: 16 oz. jar zesty Italian salad dressing; 1 lb. box rotelle pasta (cooked and drained/rinsed); 1 medium yellow onion (chopped); 8 medium celery stalks (thinly sliced); 16 oz. package cojack cheese (cubed); 16 oz. tube summer sausage (cubed); 3 13.75 oz. cans quartered artichoke hearts (drained); 2 6.5 oz. cans pitted black olives (drained); 2 8.5 oz. jars julienned sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped); 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 1/2 tsp. ground pepper; 2 tsp. red pepper flakes; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

This is my favorite pasta salad recipe of ALL TIME. It is packed full of delicious bites (think olives, salami, chunks of cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes!) and it is the perfect food to bring to potlucks. It’s always the first thing to get devoured!

Ahhh summer. I love everything about summer, minus the spiky weeds that grow in my yard. My cute boys are swimming in the pool and our sweet puppy is sleeping at my feet. And, bonus! I have a batch of this delicious pasta salad in my fridge waiting to be eaten. This salad is one of my favorite all-purpose recipes. I make it all the time, no matter what season we’re in. It is a gigantic hit at potlucks/gatherings and it is also great to have in the fridge for lunch or snacks throughout the week.

BELOW IS A QUICK VIDEO TUTORIAL ON MAKING THE BEST EVER PASTA SALAD

Enjoy the step-by-step video tutorial we have created for this recipe! Our goal is to make your time in the kitchen as easy as possible and to ensure that your version of this recipe is a success. See our full collection of cooking and baking videos on YouTube!

This pasta salad is one of my go-to dishes that I bring to potlucks because people LOVE it and also because it is insanely easy to prepare. There are a few unique ingredients involved in this version of pasta salad that make it stand out above the rest. Artichokes, olives and sun-dried tomatoes complement the salami and cheese like you couldn’t even imagine!

What’s in a pasta salad?

Typical ingredients that you will find in a pasta salad include: pasta that is easy to stab with a fork such as rotini, Italian dressing, veggies, cheese and sometimes meat.

What can you put in a pasta salad?

The world is your oyster! If you are feeling adventurous and would like to branch out from this recipe, consider adding other veggies such as fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, green beans or peppers. You could also replace the salami with chunks of cooked chicken or even steak.

What food to serve at a party?

You’ve found it! I serve this pasta salad at parties year round. One of my specialties happens to be party food, so check out my other appetizer recipes for ideas, as well. And here are two other pasta salads that your guests are sure to enjoy:
Taco Ranch Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad

Best Ever Pasta Salad Recipe

You will never make another pasta salad again. This is my sister’s recipe and it is the BEST!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: cheese, pasta, sausage, sun-dried tomatoes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Servings: servings

Ingredients

16 oz. jar zesty Italian salad dressing
1 lb. box rotelle pasta cooked and drained/rinsed
1 medium yellow onion chopped
8 medium celery stalks thinly sliced
16 oz. package cojack cheese cubed
16 oz. tube summer sausage cubed
3 13.75 oz. cans quartered artichoke hearts drained
2 6.5 oz. cans pitted black olives drained
2 8.5 oz. jars julienned sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, cover and let sit overnight. Serve chilled.