Pasta Salad with Pepperoni and Cheese
Bright, zesty, and bursting with bold flavors, this Pasta Salad with Pepperoni and Cheese is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Featuring tender rotini or penne, savory pepperoni slices, and cubes of cheddar cheese, this dish is perfectly balanced with fresh veggies like juicy cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, crunchy cucumber, and vibrant red onion. Tossed in tangy Italian dressing and accented with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 25 minutes and is best served chilled to let the flavors meld. Whether it’s for a summer BBQ, potluck, or a simple make-ahead weekday meal, this hearty pasta salad offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes that everyone will love.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Pasta (e.g., rotini or penne)
- 1.5 cups Pepperoni slices
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, diced
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 cup Black olives, sliced
- 1 Cucumber, diced
- 0.25 cup Red onion, thinly sliced
- 0.75 cup Italian dressing
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta, then set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, pepperoni slices, diced cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, diced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.
Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Add grated Parmesan cheese (if using), salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together until well coated.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Before serving, give the salad another quick toss to redistribute the dressing. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color.
Serve cold and enjoy your flavorful pasta salad with pepperoni and cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
668 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 51.3 g | 66% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.4 g | 107% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 98 mg | 33% | |
| Sodium | 1959 mg | 85% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 27.8 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.7 g | ||
| Protein | 26.5 g | 53% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 407 mg | 31% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 381 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
