This is the perfect party pasta salad. It combines all the flavours of an authentic Mediterranean antipasto platter-feta cheese, artichokes, roasted red peppers, basil, olives, capers, and cherry tomatoes, and more.
Pasta salads make great take-along meals to barbecues or potlucks since they can be prepared in advance, and maintain their texture and flavour for days.
The longer the flavours have to mingle, the better the pasta tastes-which means they make fantastic leftovers that happen to be ideal for school lunches or a healthy, light lunch to bring to work.
Summer vacation is over. And so is our annual summer trip to Italy.
We returned home a week and a half ago, only a few days shy of back-to-school. With only four days to clean up the house, unpack the suitcases, prep meals (and my classroom), and shop for last-minute school supplies for the kids, I was a little overwhelmed-to say the least.
On top of that, we were invited to an afternoon potluck barbecue at a friend’s house the day after we got home. I won’t lie. The idea of preparing something was the last thing on my mind, considering the kitchen was upside down and I was also unbelievably exhausted after a 26-hour trip-with no sleep, might I add.
Nothing a simple pre-purchased antipasto platter couldn’t fix.
After perusing the grocery store looking for an antipasto platter, I passed by the actual antipasto buffet cart. It had just what I needed so I filled a ton of plastic tubs with olives, roasted red peppers, artichokes, and more.
A quick stop at the pasta aisle to pick up some boxes for the family, and I was inspired on the spot to transform a simple antipasto platter into this delicious and hearty antipasto pasta salad.
The beauty of this salad is that you can personalize it to your taste bud’s desire. You can add just about any fresh ingredients you’d like-cucumbers, grilled eggplant or zucchini, pickled mushrooms, pearl onions, the list is endless.
Another plus is that it you can double or triple the recipe-bring a batch to a potluck, and store the other batch in the fridge for lunch for the family the following day. Something magical happens when the flavours have time to combine, making this antipasto pasta salad a dish you can enjoy for days.
If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!
This looks so yummy. So glad I found this recipe.
I’m so trying this. I love anything antipasto. I could live life on artichokes, olives, salami, pepperoni, cheese and olive oil.
Who doesn’t love pasta? I know I do especially when its a tasty recipe that says to makes too juts like this one! I will definitely add this to my week days meals and give it a shot.
I love all things pasta, so I’m sure that this dish would be an instant favorite in my house. This would be perfect on a busy weeknight when I’m scrambling to find something to put together for dinner. I love how simple it is!
I know all too well about how stressful scrambling to put together a last-minute meal is!
Omg can we say yum?!?! This salad looks absolutely delicious. Must try your recipe!
Thanks Courtney!
Oh, total YUMMM!!! Fresh basil, fresh tomatoes from the garden. Yes please!
This recipe will be included in my menu planning for the week. I would make a batch and store it in the fridge first to let the flavors blend together better. I love anything with feta cheese, and since my boys love bacon, I could throw in some crispy bacon bits in this salad too! Yum!
I don’t eat meat, but the bacon would be definitely be a great addition in this pasta salad.
I love antipasta salad. We make a big batch just about every Sunday during the summer and then eat it for lunch for several days during the week too. My kids love to switch out the veggies we use and I love that we can make it vegetarian. This recipe is totally going in my rotation – thanks!
Us too!! I usually make a simpler version for the kids!
I love a good antipasta salad; they’re so flavorful. And you’re right, they also are perfect for potlucks. Yikes 26 hours without sleep! Hopefully you’ve gotten caught up on your rest. Thanks for the easy recipe. Looking forward to trying it.
Haha! Yes, I think so! 26 hours, 4 flights, NO sleep…but I think I’ve finally recovered!! 😉
This recipe looks so good! I’m going to try it for a teacher lunch.
I’m actually going to bring this for our next potluck at work!
I love pasta salad and you’re right, they do taste even better when the pasta has had enough time with the ingredients and seasoning. They definitely make great leftovers. I love it when someone brings pasta salad for gatherings :).
Me too…you can never go wrong with a pasta salad at a potluck.
Although I love eating pasta salad when I go to gatherings, I’ve never made it myself for a cookout or party. Thanks so much for this recipe. I can’t wait to try it because of all the fresh ingredients! I can just taste it now!
I’ve heard about pasta salads before and I’ve seen an Antipasto Pasta Salad at a barbecue before but can you believe that I’ve never even had a basic pasta salad? I don’t why as they look so delicious. I think I’m going to have to find some gluten free pasta noodles and give your Antipasto Pasta Salad a try.
It’s so easy to prepare! I’m skeptical about the g/f pasta (I also eat mainly g/f). The problem is that it doesn’t maintain it’s texture at all the following day. I usually never make leftovers!
Oh this is awesome. We always have to have a pasta salad for parties. This one looks great.
I love a good pasta salad!! This sounds amazing, I may need to make this for a pot luck next week!
I love a good antipasto salad. This looks yummy and super simple. I will definitely be giving it a try soon.
Looks simple and delicious!
This is right up my alley! I LOVE Mediterranean flavors and I’m usually disappointed by antipasto anything because I’m a vegetarian and it usually contains meat, but this one delivered. This combination of ingredients speaks to me… I’m so glad I clicked 🙂
That’s very true…this is delicious even though there is no meat in it!
We love pasta and being Italian I grow up eating it all the time. This sounds like a recipe my family will love so I will have to make it for them. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Pasta is my favorite too! This one is looks tasty and tempting, I’m going to get your recipe and make it.
I love pasta salad.. this recipe looks so delicious! I have to try this recipe
Yum, I’m all for trying different dishes. I’d love to give this mediterranian pasta a try some time soon!
That really does look delicious! I know everyone here would like to give that a go! I am on nutrisystem but I bet I could get this to work on a flex meal!
This salad looks so yummy. I bet it tastes really good! I will have to try your recipe.
I love salads like this that are quick to make and delicious to eat. I’ll make it for lunches this week.
this salad looks amazing and I am glad to have found it. Feta Cheese and artichokes are delicious
I rarely eat artichokes but the pickled ones are delicious in this.
I love anything pasta. But a salad like that with a few ingredients is just so good!! Can’t wait to try this one.
I love pasta salad. You could eat ’em alone or pair ’em with other dishes. This is something that I will definitely try at home. You got me at feta cheese & cherry tomatoes.
This salad looks super tasty and would be perfect as a side or on its own. I love how simple it is to make.