Italian Sub Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is such a crowd-pleaser, even the fussiest of eaters can’t resist it. Plus, as pasta salads go, it couldn’t be easier to make! Follow me…

Italian Sub Pasta Salad

My aim with this pasta salad was to take all the glory of a delicious Italian deli-style sandwich and transform it into a pasta salad. Think Italian BMT from Subway!

Italian Sub Pasta Salad Dressing

This dressing is pretty punchy, but it mellows out nicely as it distributes through the pasta salad. It’s got a base of extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar, with garlic and oregano to add heaps of flavour. I also like whisking in some Dijon mustard. Not only does this add flavour and give a nod to the sandwich theme, but it also acts as an emulsifier to bind the dressing together.

Italian Sub Pasta Salad Fillings

Here’s how I categorise the fillings:

Meats – Pepperoni, Salami and Turkey. Salad – Olives, Guindilla Chillies, Red Onion, Fresh Basil Cheese – Mozzarella Balls

Process shots: add dressing ingredients to bowl (photo 1), whisk (photo 2), and pasta and fillings to bowl (photo 3), toss in dressing (photo 4).

Where can I find Guindilla Chillies?

Typically in the pickle/antipasto section at the supermarket. If you can’t find them, just sub any type of brined/jarred chilli from that section.

Do I have to add turkey?

I know some people don’t like turkey, but it really works here! If you don’t want to use it just sub deli-style chicken or ham.

What kind of pasta should I use?

Any small short-cut pasta will do the trick. Here I use Gemelli.

Can I make this ahead of time?

I recommend serving this fairly soon after it’s made, just because it dries out as it rests. Having said that it will last around 3 days tightly stored in the fridge and still taste delicious!

Serving Italian Sub Pasta Salad

I usually let it rest for 10 mins or so before serving, just to allow the flavours to marry. If you’ve got any leftover basil lurking around you can sprinkle that over before serving! I typically serve this as a main for Lunch, but you could serve it as a Side if you’d prefer. For more pasta salad recipes check out my Incredible Pasta Salads! Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this Italian sub pasta salad shall we?!