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Home » Recipes » Low Carb Recipes

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe (Two Ways)

Modified: Jun 26, 2021 by Kori Butler · Published: Jun 26, 2021

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Zesty Italian Pasta Salad can be made two ways - with pasta or cauliflower. Both are delicious! All your favorite Italian flavors in one dish. The perfect side dish for dinner, a potluck, cookout. It makes a great lunch option too!

Using cauliflower and our zesty Italian dressing makes this salad gluten-free, low carb, and keto.

A clear glass bowl full of italian pasta salad garnished with fresh basilPin
Italian pasta salad made with pasta | seekinggoodeats.com

WATCH: Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Enjoy this Pasta Salad Recipe with Italian Dressing two ways!

"This pasta salad has always been one of my boy's favorite dishes. He requests it for birthdays, holidays, cookouts, camping trips...and so on. I've probably made it hundreds of times! When my husband and I started following a low-carb diet, I started making this two ways - pasta for our son and cauliflower us - and it's quite delicious! From my family to yours - enjoy" :) -Kori

What are some of your favorite recipes with cauliflower? Be sure to check out How To Cook Cauliflower - I show you five easy ways to make it! If you're looking to replace pasta in a recipe be sure to make this Seafood Pasta Salad or this Cauliflower Cheese Casserole.

Two Ways To Make This Salad!

You'll love that there are 2 ways to make this Italian salad - with pasta or using cauliflower florets as a pasta substitute. Both are delicious. This is one of my favorite salads, so I played around with the ingredients until it worked perfectly with cauliflower. 🙂

This is an easy zesty pasta salad that has only 10 ingredients unless you will make our homemade healthy Italian dressing - which I highly recommend. Our dressing is fresh, tasty, and healthy.

Cook your pasta or cauliflower, then do a little chopping, add all ingredients together and pour the dressing over the top.

From there, refrigerate for a few hours and serve. Straightforward. Voila! An easy pasta salad recipe! 🙂

Portrait side image of keto italian salad in a white bowl.Pin
Keto Italian salad made with cauliflower | seekinggoodeats.com

Make It a Keto Italian Salad

Make this a healthy Italian "pasta" salad using cauliflower and our homemade zesty Italian dressing recipe. Now it's a gluten-free, sugar-free, low-carb pasta salad! 🙂

This salad makes a great keto lunch idea! It packs and keeps well. It has just the right balance between fat and protein to keep you satisfied for hours.

While the full nutritional value is provided at the end of the recipe card, here are the most important if you're following a low carb keto diet:

3.6 g net carbs | 22.2 g of fat | 11.6 g protein

If you are interested in keto be sure to get our FREE keto food list and shopping list!

Italian Pasta Salad Ingredients

ingredients needed to make Italian pasta salad

Here's what you'll need to make zesty italian pasta salad:

Bow Tie Pasta or Cauliflower - use bow tie pasta or fresh cauliflower cut into florets approximately 1" in size. Cook pasta according to package. Cauliflower should be cooked until crisp-tender so it doesn't fall apart in the salad.

Mini Pepperoni

Olives - use pitted black olives, but you could also go with a different favorite variety if you prefer.

Mozzarella - you can cube mozzarella or use the mozzarella pearls.

Cherry Tomatoes - I like using cherry tomatoes, sliced in half, but you can also use Roma tomatoes. Cherry and Roma tomatoes are best to use because they are firmer, have less liquid so that they won't fall apart, and water down your salad as much as other varieties.

Green Bell Pepper - I use green because it's an Italian pasta salad, and the green, red, and white in this salad are like the Italian flag. Any color of bell pepper can be used.

Basil - I like to use fresh basil as it has the freshest taste, but you can certainly use dried basil if that's what you have on hand.

Zesty Italian Dressing - try our easy healthy Italian dressing or buy bottled. Our recipe is zesty and has parmesan cheese which makes it a great dressing for pasta salad. If you're following a low-carb keto plan, make sure it is sugar-free! Our homemade recipe is low carb, gluten-free, keto, and sugar-free.

Kosher Salt or Sea Salt

Black Pepper

What is the Best Pasta for Pasta Salad?

Most bite-sized pastas will work. Rotini, bow tie, and macaroni are commonly used.

Pasta Salad Recipe (Italian) Variations

There are a few ways you can vary or make substitutions for this bow tie pasta salad with italian dressing:

  • Feel free to substitute out different pasta shapes based on what you have on hand - rotini pasta, shells, even tortellini all work great.
  • Use fresh or frozen cauliflower. If using frozen, it may be a little softer so don't microwave as long as the recipe states.
  • You can easily remove and add items to this pasta salad recipe. If you don't like pepperoni or want to use a different salami, go ahead. If you don't like green bell pepper you can take it out. Play around with what you got.
  • This isn't a necessity, but if you buy bottled dressing you can add a little parmesan cheese to the salad too. My italian dressing recipe has parmesan cheese in it.
  • Play around with the seasoning, or feel free to add extra salad dressing according to what you like! It's a VERY forgiving recipe.

How to make Pasta Salad

Here's how to make the zesty Italian pasta salad recipe - I think you're gonna love it!! 🙂

Please see recipe card for full details.

Cook Pasta or Cauliflower

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and then rinse with cold water.

If you're using cauliflower, cut into 1" pieces and steam, covered, in the microwave with 1/4 cup water for 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. You do not want the cauliflower too soft, or it will fall apart in the salad. Drain and then rinse with cold water. (for more information, please reference How To Cook Cauliflower or Microwave Cauliflower Recipe (From Fresh)

Mix Ingredients

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Serve and Enjoy

Adjust salt and pepper, and use the additional dressing to taste. Serve and enjoy!

Top Tips for Making Italian Dressing Pasta Salad

  • Use the freshest ingredients and spices for the best flavor.
  • Adjust sweetener, salt, pepper, and the salad dressing to your liking.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • This recipe serves 8 but can easily be doubled or even tripled if serving for a party!

What to eat with Pasta Salad

Need easy serving suggestions? Here are some ways that you can serve your Pasta Salad (Zesty Italian):

What salad should you serve with pasta? I think the best salad to serve with Italian pasta salad is a fresh green salad or our Overnight Layered Salad.

Serve as a side dish with grilled or baked chicken, beef, pork, or fish.

Serve it as a main dish for lunch or a light dinner.

If you are not following a low carb or keto plan, you can serve this with a fresh roll, breadstick, or a biscuit.

How to store Italian Pasta Salad

You can store this zesty pasta salad in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How long does Pasta Salad last in the fridge?

This pasta salad recipe will last in the fridge about 3 days.

Can you freeze Pasta Salad?

If fresh vegetables are used it is not recommended that you freeze pasta salad.

Italian Pasta Salad FAQs

How long can you keep this pasta salad?

This salad will keep for up to 4 days if stored in an air-tight container.

Is this pasta salad keto-friendly?

If you make this pasta salad with cauliflower and use a keto-friendly Italian dressing, this salad recipe is keto-friendly and has only 3.6 g net carbs in total, 22.2 grams of fat, and 11.6 g protein.

How many carbs in zesty italian pasta salad?

The carb content of pasta salad can vary quite a bit, but this recipe made with cauliflower and sugar-free dressing contains 7.3 g carbs, 1.6 g dietary fiber, and 5.6 g net carbs.
Nutrition content with pasta: 357 cal | 22.5 g fat | 718 g sodium | 24.7 g carbohydrates | dietary fiber 2.2 g | protein 14.3 g
Nutrition content with cauliflower: 264 cal | 22.2 g fat | 732.9 sodium | 6 g carbohydrates | 2.4 g dietary fiber | 11.6 g protein

Can you make pasta salad the night before?

Yes, this pasta salad can easily be made ahead of time - in fact, the flavors continue to improve as it sits. Store it in an airtight container.

✔️ More Recipes

Cauliflower Recipes

Got cauliflower? Check out these delicious cauliflower recipes:

  • Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
  • Seafood Pasta Salad (Use Pasta or Cauliflower) - another pasta salad recipe that can be made with pasta or cauliflower! 🙂
  • Cauliflower Cheese (Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese)
  • Coconut Cauliflower Rice (Keto Cauliflower Rice)
  • Low Carb Tuna Casserole - uses cauliflower instead of pasta.
  • Best Recipe for Cauliflower Steaks

Salad Recipes

Looking for more delicious healthy salad recipes? You'll love these keto and low carb recipes:

  • Healthy Tomato and Eggplant Salad
  • Grilled Shrimp Salad Recipe (Shrimp Louie Salad)
  • Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
  • Italian Antipasto Salad Platter Recipe
  • Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
  • Asian-Style Roasted Orange Cauliflower Recipe
  • Roasted Cauliflower and Mushrooms Recipe

If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give it a 5-star rating and/or a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please share photos of your creations with me and others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

📖 The recipe.

Square feature top down image of keto italian salad served in a white bowl with a spoon

Italian Dressing Pasta Salad

This salad can be made two ways - with pasta or cauliflower. Both are delicious! A tasty, easy-to-make salad with all your favorite Italian flavors. The perfect side dish for dinner, a potluck, cookout. Follow the cauliflower version if following a low carb keto plan. Enjoy!
4.24 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Save Saved!
Author Kori Butler
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Course Salads
Cuisine American | Italian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 264 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups of bow tie pasta or cauliflower florets cut into 1" pieces
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup mozzarella cubes
  • 1 cup black olives pitted
  • 1 cup pepperoni minis
  • ½ cup green bell pepper diced
  • ½ to 1 cup Seeking Good Eat's Zesty Italian Dressing or store-bought
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and then rinse with cold water.
  • If you're using cauliflower, cut into 1" pieces and steam, covered, in the microwave with ¼ cup water for 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. You do not want the cauliflower too soft, or it will fall apart in the salad. Drain and then rinse with cold water.
  • Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. NOTE: if using cauliflower you will need only ½ cup Italian dressing. Use 1 cup if you use pasta) Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  • Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add more dressing if needed. Serve and enjoy

Video

Kori's Tips

  • Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
  • TOP TIP: If using cauliflower, only cook to crisp-tender. If the florets are too soft, they'll fall apart in the salad.
  • SUBSTITUTIONS: Feel free to add or remove any of the vegetables, cheese, or salami according to your tastes.
  • SERVING SUGGESTION: I think the best salad to serve with Italian pasta salad is a fresh green salad or our Overnight Layered Salad. Serve as a side dish with grilled or baked chicken, beef, pork, or fish.
  • NOTE: Nutrition analysis below was calculated using with cauliflower and our sugar free zesty italian dressing.
  • Nutrition

    Calories: 264kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 11.6gFat: 22.2gCholesterol: 30.4mgSodium: 732.9mgFiber: 2.4gSugar: 2g
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @seekinggoodeatsofficial or tag #seekinggoodeats! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

    © 2025 Seeking Good Eats™

    Here's a zesty Italian pasta salad I think you'll LOVE! Make it 2 ways - with pasta or cauliflower. An easy pasta salad with pepperoni, olives, mozzarella, tomatoes, and zesty Italian dressing. Make this zesty pasta salad with cauliflower and sugar-free zest Italian dressing, and you've got a delicious low carb, gluten-free, keto Italian salad! 🙂

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ali

      February 23, 2022 at 12:52 pm

      This looks like a delicious make ahead lunch for the week. Will it last in the fridge if all put together and dressed?

      Reply
      • Kori

        February 24, 2022 at 6:51 am

        I recently made it with dressing and all and ate on it for 2 days. I made the cauliflower version so it doesn't absorb excess liquid like the pasta version but I enjoyed it for my lunches! 🙂

        Reply
    4.24 from 13 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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    Hey there, I'm Kori.

    I’m a culinary school trained chef specializing in holistic nutrition and wellness. I’ve always been a major foodie, and as I’ve aged, the full impact of my love of food—and not-necessarily-healthy eating habits—caught up to me. In an effort to make positive changes in my life (and hopefully yours, too), I created this website where I could share great-tasting, craveable, healthy recipes.

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