Our Salad Supreme pasta salad is made with zesty Italian dressing, tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, pepperoni, cheddar cheese, and a homemade seasoning blend. It's one of our favorite cold pasta salads to enjoy during the hot summer months.

salad supreme pasta salad in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon

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This Italian pasta salad is a classic recipe that we love to make for family gatherings. It's a great recipe for cookouts and potlucks too, and makes a tasty side dish with hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken, and ribs.

You can make this salad supreme pasta salad your own by adding your favorite additions (see "Recipe Substitutions and Variations" below). Just toss the ingredients in a large bowl and serve chilled.

What we love about this recipe

SECRET INGREDIENT - We made our own version of the McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning that's just the right amount for this recipe.
COLORFUL VEGETABLES - All of the fresh veggies make this one of our favorite healthy recipes and a summer staple.
SIMPLE TO MAKE - This easy pasta salad recipe is quick to throw together, just boil the pasta and toss all your ingredients together.

Ingredients

1 pound tri-color rotini pasta
1 ½ cups Italian dressing (we used Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing)
2 small Roma tomatoes, diced
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1 cup pepperoni, sliced into bite size pieces
½ cucumber, diced
½ red onion, diced
1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

Salad Supreme Seasoning

1 teaspoon paprika
3⁄4 teaspoon Diamond Kosher salt
1⁄2 teaspoon celery seed
1⁄4 teaspoon granulated garlic
1⁄4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

Variations and Substitutions

Seasoning: Substitute with McCormick's Salad Supreme seasoning or your favorite Italian seasoning.
Pasta: Try with fusilli pasta or spaghetti noodles.
Cheese: Use Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, or fresh mozzarella cheese instead.
Fresh vegetables: Add fresh broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, green onions, green pepper, red pepper, or black olives (technically a fruit).

bowl of salad supreme pasta salad recipe with a wooden spoon

How to Make the Best Pasta Salad

Boil pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and let it cool completely.
Dice the tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, and onion, and slice the pepperoni.
Combine the cooled pasta, diced vegetables, sliced pepperoni, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Pour the Italian dressing over the mixture and sprinkle with seasoning. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld.

pouring Italian dressing over a bowl of salad supreme pasta salad

Recipe Tips

Cook Pasta Al Dente: Make sure to cook the pasta al dente, as it will hold its shape and texture better when mixed with the dressing and vegetables.
Prevent Sticking: To cool pasta quickly and prevent it from sticking together, rinse it under cold water while draining.
Prepare Ahead: This pasta salad tastes even better after it has had time to chill and the flavors have melded together. If possible, make it a few hours or even a day ahead of time.

What to Serve

Serve this pasta salad chilled alongside your favorite BBQ dishes for the perfect balance of flavors. It pairs well with pulled pork, grilled chicken quarters, smoked chicken wings, grilled pork chops, smoked brisket, and spare ribs. Whether you're firing up the grill or smoking low and slow, this refreshing pasta salad is a must-have side for any cookout.

bowl of salad supreme pasta salad with a wooden spoon

How to Store

To keep pasta salad fresh, store it in a cooler on ice to maintain freshness. This is perfect if you're bringing it to a cookout or potluck.

Transfer pasta salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Before serving, give it a good stir to redistribute any dressing that may have settled at the bottom.

📖 Recipe

Comments

5 from 12 votes

Salad Supreme Pasta Salad Recipe