Potluck Antipasto Pasta Salad

Name: Potluck Antipasto Pasta Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 18 servings.
Ingredients: 1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta; 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained; 1 medium sweet red or green pepper, julienned; 2 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and sliced; 1 bunch green onions, sliced; 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, julienned; 4 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, julienned; 4 ounces brick or provolone cheese, julienned; 4 ounces thinly sliced hard salami, julienned; 3 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni; 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained; 1 to 2 tablespoons minced chives; BASIL VINAIGRETTE:; 2/3 cup canola oil; 1/3 cup red wine vinegar; 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried basil; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1/4 teaspoon salt

I love trying new recipes, and this one for Italian pasta salad tops all other varieties I've tried. With beans, cheese, sausage and vegetables, it's a hearty complement to any meal. —Bernadette Nelson, Arcadia, California

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 medium sweet red or green pepper, julienned
2 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 bunch green onions, sliced
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, julienned
4 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, julienned
4 ounces brick or provolone cheese, julienned
4 ounces thinly sliced hard salami, julienned
3 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 to 2 tablespoons minced chives
BASIL VINAIGRETTE:
2/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried basil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse with cold water and drain. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, beans, vegetables, cheeses, meats, olives and chives.
In a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate. Toss before serving.

Test Kitchen Tips

To keep pasta from sticking together when cooking, use a large pot with plenty of water. Add a little cooking oil if desired (this also prevents boiling over).

A Monterey, California, businessman named David Jacks made Monterey Jack cheese popular in the late 1800s by shipping it to San Francisco and other areas of the U.S.

Check out 25 pasta salad recipes Grandma used to make.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 248 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 431mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.

Originally published as Antipasto Pasta Salad in Home-Style Soups, Salad and Sandwiches Cookbook

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Cheryl

Dec 6, 2018

My husband and grown children are pasta lovers along with me. So a few days ago I was stumped at planning a light dinner before we went to a Christmas play @ my school. So I just Googled what I had in my fridge and this great recipe was one of a few that was listed in the results. I had most of the ingredients in my fridge and I had the pasta in the cabinet, the only thing missing was the chickpeas and the g beans. I just used what I had and because I was in a hurry I used the Italian Dressing instead of making the vinaigrette and of course a bit of salt and pepper and just a pinch of sugar and a shake of red pepper flakes. Needless to say it was a hit with everyone and I had picked up some freshly made french bread and it actually bumped it up to a good meal. I have several holiday parties that are potlucks and I plan to make this for each one .
sgronholz

May 24, 2015

This salad is wonderful! I made it for our granddaughter's baptism celebration and everyone loved it! (We especially liked the variety of ingredients!) I made a few changes to the dressing which included substituting my homemade pesto for the basil, adding 1 tsp. dried oregano, 1 Tbl. sugar and a little more salt...YUM! I can't wait to make it again!
sddeck

Jul 13, 2013

The prep for this was daunting and I found it bland. I will try it again and experiment with adding additional seasoning.
6foreverpaws

Jun 1, 2012

The husband loved it. Was easy to make. I used Italian dressing in place of the vinaigrette. Great summer time dish with a slice of homemade bread.
prmom

Jul 18, 2011

My daughter ask me frequently to fix this salad for her to take for lunch to school.I prefer to use the mini pasta and the mini peperoni for her, but I also have used the garden delight penne pasta with the regular peperoni. It is one of our family favorite.
cathiemh

Jan 19, 2010

Try whole wheat pasta or the new low carb pasta for a low carb Antipasto Salad. Very tasty - great summer potluck for church.
Deanna5

Jan 19, 2010

Will be trying this recipe but, with whole wheat pasta..Looks good
aspross

Jul 9, 2009

I have made this several times now this summer and was demanded to bring this to a family reunion coming up. There is alot of prep with this dish but it's so worth it! Very tasty, wouldn't change a thing! Excellent!
kandsfarm

Jan 2, 2009

Pasta and low carb don't mixKarin
Sidana

Nov 8, 2008

It sounds lovely, but with the pasta present it can't be low carb :)