Skip to Content

Spiral Pasta Salad

Sharing is caring!

This recipe for spiral pasta salad is full of fresh veggies, delicious cheese and meat, and covered in italian-style dressing to give you a perfect dish to bring to family gatherings all year long.

Main image for spiral pasta salad

If you are looking for the best pasta salad recipe, this is it. Spiral salad is one of those simple recipes that gives you so much flavor in each bite that everyone loves it.

Did I mention you can make it the day before you want to serve it, and it still gives you a perfect cold spiral pasta salad that will go with almost any main dish?

It is one of my favorite simple side dishes because it is so easy. It comes together fast, and it can be made in advance and still tastes great.

So whether you need a recipe for a summer party or a quick lunch for yourself and a friend, this spiral pasta salad recipe is sure to hit the spot!

cooked spiral pasta in a bowl

What is spiral pasta salad?

Spiral pasta salad is a combination of cooked pasta, vegetables, cheese, and meat all mixed together and covered in a delicious dressing. You can serve it fresh at room temperature, or if you make it the day before, it can be a perfect cold pasta salad.

Who invented pasta salad?

A dish as popular as pasta salad has everyone arguing about who specifically invented it. Some swear it is entirely an American invention, while others argue pasta mixed with a dressing is European.

Even other historians insist the ancient Jews in Roman times invented it since Jewish law forbade cooking on the Sabbath Day.

Whether it is a modern or ancient invention, this spiral pasta salad is perfect to eat with a meal or even on its own as a small bowl of a perfect snack.

tomatoes, provolone cheese, pepperoni, bell pepper, olives, green olives with pimentos, Italian salad dressing all on top of pasta

What ingredients are in spiral pasta salad?

  • Tri-Colored Spiral Pasta (Rotini): colored rotini pasta looks beautiful in this dish with all of its colors and spiral pasta shapes
  • Grape Tomatoes: if you only have cherry tomatoes, you can use those too, but if they are larger be sure to slice them in half
  • Provolone Cheese: if you buy sliced cheese, cut it into small pieces; I like to quarter them so they aren’t too small
  • Sliced Pepperoni: you can quarter regular pepperoni slices or use mini pepperonis
  • Bell Peppers: you can use yellow, orange, or red peppers in this easy pasta salad recipe
  • Black Olives: I like to leave them whole to give nice bites of flavor in this side dish
  • Pimento Stuffed Green Olives: Flavorful green olives with sweet pimentos add to the dish.
  • Italian Dressing: use an Italian salad dressing brand you love because it makes all the difference in the combination of flavors

Pro Tip: Some people will insist that using mozzarella cheese will give you a more Italian pasta salad. I disagree. I like the combination of provolone and pepperoni so much better than using mozzarella and olives. But you use one that you think will give you the flavors you like best.

How to make spiral pasta salad:

  1. Cook pasta according to the package directions, then drain pasta before using.
  2. Combine all ingredients except salad dressing in a large bowl.
  3. Add half the dressing and mix well.
  4. Right before serving the spiral noodle salad, pour extra dressing over it, mix in, and serve!

What to eat with spiral pasta salad:

  • Barbeque: anything served at a summer bbq is perfect with this tri-color pasta salad recipe
  • Rotisserie Chicken: make this the day before, and pick up a cooked rotisserie and you have an easy dinner for a busy weeknight
  • Vegetables: try fresh or roasted broccoli florets, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, or any crunchy veggies

How long is spiral pasta salad good for?

This spiral pasta salad can last for 3-5 days as long as you keep it refrigerated properly. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and give it a good stir before serving each time.

Can you freeze spiral pasta salad?

Yes you can freeze spiral pasta salad, but it will not taste as perfectly fresh when you thaw it and eat it. For best results, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and stir before eating.

Is spiral pasta salad fattening?

Spiral pasta salad by itself is not fattening. However, if you eat an entire bowl of greek pasta salad by yourself in one sitting, yes it will add fat to your body. No one needs that large of a serving all at once.

Is spiral pasta salad healthy?

Spiral pasta salad is not the healthiest choice for a side dish. But it is delicious, and if you eat an appropriate portion, this can fit in your individual nutritional daily values.

Can dogs eat spiral pasta salad?

If your dog accidentally eats some spiral pasta salad, it should not hurt them. However, the extra salt in the pepperoni and the garlic in the Italian dressing will affect some dogs and make them sick.

A good rule when it comes to salads is to feed your pup individual ingredients that you know are safe, and then leave the mixed salad for your human friends.

The Best Pasta Recipes You’ll Want to Try…

Vegetable Side Dishes You’ll Love…

Spiral pasta salad is a classic recipe with great flavors that will hold up to any gathering large or small and can be made in advance, making it the perfect busy day dish.

Yield: 10 Servings

Spiral Pasta Salad

Spiral Pasta Salad

This recipe for spiral pasta salad is full of fresh veggies, delicious cheese and meat, and covered in Italian-style dressing to give you a perfect dish to bring to family gatherings all year long.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Instructions

  1. Cook spiral pasta according to the package directions.
  2. While pasta is cooking, cut and prep remaining ingredients.
  3. In a large bowl add cooked and drained pasta.
  4. Add tomatoes, cheese, pepperoni, bell pepper and olives.
  5. Add half salad dressing and toss.
  6. If serving right away, add the remaining half bottle.
  7. If serving later, then pour and mix remaining dressing into pasta salad just before serving (otherwise the pasta will absorb the dressing)

Notes

You can slice your olives for easier eating if you wish.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 58Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 100mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g

Sharing is caring!

Christine Bowen

Wednesday 26th of April 2023

Looks wonderful. Going to no make it tomorrow!

Janelle

Wednesday 23rd of August 2023

Thank you Christine. I hope you like it.

Skip to Recipe