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Home » The Recipe Box » Side Dishes

Antipasto Salad Recipe

Profile image of Amanda Scarlati By Amanda Scarlati - Updated: Aug 1, 2022 - Published: Apr 13, 2021 - This post contains affiliate links.

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5 from 1 vote
Total Time 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
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antipasto salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon
wooden spoon stirring antipasto pasta salad in a bowl.
wooden spoon holding a scoop of antipasto salad.
antipasto salad on a white plate with a fork.

This zesty antipasto salad recipe is filled with all of the best Italian flavors. Tortellini is mixed with peppers, olives, cheese and meat and finished off with a homemade Italian dressing.

antipasto salad with tortellini, meat, cheese and peppers in a bowl with wooden spoon.

This post was originally published in April 2021 and has been updated for content.

Antipasto is a traditional Italian first course that typically consists of cured meats, olives, peppers and other vegetables that are sometimes marinated in olive oil and vinegar. This zesty antipasto is all of the best parts of traditional antipasto but in easy make ahead salad form.

This antipasto salad recipe is perfect along side grilled Italian steaks, chicken caprese with pesto or shrimp kabobs at your next Summer BBQ!

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Jump to:
  • 🌶 Ingredient notes
  • 📋 Substitutions and variations
  • 🔪 Step by step instructions
  • ⭐ Expert tips
  • ⏲️ Make ahead and storage suggestions
  • 🥗 More salad recipes
  • #ScarlatiFamilyKitchen
  • Recipe
  • Comments

🌶 Ingredient notes

  • Tortellini - You can use dried, frozen, or fresh tortellini for this antipasto salad recipe. Whichever you use, the tortellini needs to be cooked, drained of water, and completely cooled.
  • Peppers - I just used jarred already sliced roasted red and pepperoncini peppers. If you can only find them whole, you can slice them on your own. Just be sure to drain the liquid from the peppers first before using them in the salad.
  • Olives - I used plain black pitted olives, but kalamata olives or castelvetrano olives would be also be good.
  • Cheese - Small pearl sized mozzarella balls are great for this recipe because they are a perfect size and ready to use. You can also cut a larger mozzarella ball into smaller pieces or used cubed small pieces of provolone cheese.
  • Meats - I like using whole salami and pepperoni that I cut into small cubes. I find that sliced salami or pepperoni doesn't mix in as well, but it will still work. Mortadella or cappicola would also be good alternatives.

📋 Substitutions and variations

  • Vegetarian - Omit the salami and pepperoni in the salad.
  • More veggies - Add marinated mushrooms, artichokes, or giardiniera.

🔪 Step by step instructions

First, combine the tortellini, peppers, olives, cheese and meats into a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Next, combine the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt in a small bowl or mason jar and stir or shake to combine.

ingredients for antipasto salad in a bowl and homemade dressing in a mason jar.

Lastly, pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Refrigerate the salad before serving for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.

antipasto salad with dressing in a bowl and wooden spoon holding scoop of salad.

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⭐ Expert tips

  • After cooking and draining your tortellini, toss it with a little bit of olive oil to prevent it from sticking while it's cooling.
  • Make sure to cool the tortellini completely before adding it to the other ingredients or it will soak up too much of the dressing and become mushy.
  • Use a mason jar to easily shake up the ingredients for the dressing and pour it on the salad.

⏲️ Make ahead and storage suggestions

This antipasto salad recipe is best when made ahead of time so the flavors have time to marinate together in the refrigerator. It will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

🥗 More salad recipes

If you loved this antipasto salad recipe, check out these other salad recipes that I know you will love!

  • Summer Panzanella
  • Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes
  • Melon Prosciutto Salad
  • Italian Seafood Salad

#ScarlatiFamilyKitchen

If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and give it a rating. I love to hear from each and every one of you! Tag me on Facebook and Instagram as well! It makes my day to see all of your photos of the food you have made.

Recipe

antipasto salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon
5 from 1 vote

Antipasto Salad Recipe

Yield : 10 servings
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Chilling Time: 2 hours hrs
Total: 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
This zesty antipasto salad recipe is filled with all of the best Italian flavors. Tortellini is mixed with peppers, olives, cheese and meat and finished off with a homemade Italian dressing.
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Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds cooked cheese tortellini, approximately 12 ounces dried
  • ½ cup sliced roasted red peppers, drained
  • ⅓ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers, drained
  • 1 can large black pitted olives, drained
  • 4 ounces mozzarella cheese balls
  • 8 ounces salami, diced into small cubes
  • 8 ounces pepperoni, diced into small cubes
  • 3 ounces extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ounce red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
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Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the tortellini, both peppers, olives, cheese, salami, and pepperoni. Toss to combine.
  • In a small bowl or mason jar, combine the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir or shake until ingredients are completely mixed together.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.

Notes

  • After cooking and draining your tortellini, toss it with a little bit of olive oil to prevent it from sticking while it's cooling.
  • Make sure to cool the tortellini completely before adding it to the other ingredients or it will soak up too much of the dressing and become mushy.
  • Use a mason jar to easily shake up the ingredients for the dressing and pour it on the salad.
 

Substitutions and Variations

  • Tortellini - Dried, frozen, or fresh tortellini can be used. It just needs to be cooked, drained of water, and completely cooled.
  • Peppers - Either pre-sliced peppers or peppers that are whole that you slice on your own will work. Make sure drain the liquid from the peppers before adding them to the salad. 
  • Olives - Kalamata olives or castelvetrano olives are other alternatives.
  • Cheese - Small pearl sized mozzarella balls or a larger mozzarella ball cut into smaller pieces would work. Cubed provolone cheese will also work.
  • Meats - Small cubes of salami and pepperoni work better than sliced. Mortadella or cappicola would also be good alternatives.
 

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

This antipasto salad recipe is best when made ahead of time so the flavors have time to marinate together in the refrigerator. It will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cupCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 27gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 2134mgPotassium: 191mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 207IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 205mgIron: 3mg
Author : Amanda Scarlati
Course : Salad: Side Dish
Cuisine : Italian
Tried this recipe?Mention @ScarlatiFamilyKitchen or tag #ScarlatiFamilyKitchen!

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