There is something undeniably satisfying about combining classic deli flavors into a cold, ready-to-serve dish. This recipe captures that familiar taste profile in a convenient format.
Many home cooks appreciate how this dish bridges the gap between a traditional sandwich and a refreshing cold salad. It delivers bold flavors without requiring extensive prep time.
This Italian Sub Pasta Salad works beautifully for potlucks, backyard barbecues, or quick weeknight dinners. The combination of cured meats, cheeses, and crisp vegetables creates a balanced bite every time.
If you enjoy experimenting with familiar comfort foods, this preparation offers a reliable way to enjoy those classic tastes in a new format.
The same flavor combination also translates well into other formats, making it a versatile base for various meal ideas.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe
- Delivers bold, familiar deli flavors in a convenient cold format
- Requires minimal prep and cooks quickly
- Stays fresh in the refrigerator for several days
- Easily customizable with your preferred meats and cheeses
Cold pasta dishes remain a staple for casual entertaining because they allow you to prepare everything ahead of time. This version stands out by focusing on high-quality ingredients and a well-balanced dressing.
Ingredients
Gathering the right components ensures the dish comes together smoothly. Here is what you will need to get started.
Salad:
- Dry pasta of your choice
- Chopped salami
- Mini pepperoni slices
- Cubed Muenster cheese
- Cubed Provolone cheese
- Chopped banana peppers
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped red onion
Dressing:
- Mayonnaise
- Hot chopped pepper relish
- Dijon mustard
- Red wine vinegar
- Dry Italian seasoning
- Sugar, kosher salt, and ground black pepper
How To Make
Once everything is prepped, the assembly process is straightforward. Follow these steps to bring the dish together.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water before placing it in a large mixing bowl.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Allow the mixture to chill thoroughly before serving so the flavors have time to meld together properly.
- Add the meats, cheeses, and vegetables to the bowl and toss until evenly distributed.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a separate container, then pour over the salad and mix until fully coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour to enhance the flavor profile.
- Give the salad a final toss before plating and serving.
You are going to love this!
dish. SO GOOD! I really
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! This pasta salad can be made a day in advance. In fact, allowing it to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours helps the flavors to meld together beautifully. Just give it a good toss before serving.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, preparing it a day in advance actually improves the flavor as the ingredients absorb the dressing.
How long does it stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it keeps for up to three days.
Can I freeze this salad?
Freezing is not recommended because the pasta texture and fresh vegetables will deteriorate.

More Pasta Salads I Know You’ll Enjoy
- Tortellini Antipasto Pasta Salad
- Cucumber Pasta Salad
- BLT Macaroni Salad
- Pine Nut and Arugula Pesto Pasta Salad
- Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad
- Southwest Pasta Salad
And that’s a wrap on this tasty and versatile Italian Sub Pasta Salad that’s sure to be a hit at your next potluck! (Or if you’re anything like me, just to enjoy on your own.) I hope you enjoy making and eating this as much as I do. If you give this recipe a try, be sure to stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. I’d appreciate it!
This dish offers a reliable way to enjoy familiar flavors in a convenient format. It is sure to become a regular addition to your meal rotation.
Italian Sub Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry pasta (I used Goodles Loopdy-Loos)
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) salami, chopped
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) mini pepperoni
- 3/4 cup (6 ounce) Muenster cheese, cubed
- 3/4 cup (6 ounce)s Provolone cheese, cubed
- 1 cup chopped banana peppers
- 2/3 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup hot chopped pepper relish*
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dry Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the pasta in salted boiling water according to the package directions (or until al dente). Drain and rinse under cold water. Shake well to remove excess water, then place the cooked pasta in a large bowl.
- Add in the meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Toss to combine.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined. Pour this over the pasta salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Toss again before serving.
Notes
Notes
PrintItalian Sub Pasta Salad
Looking for a crowd-pleasing side dish? This Italian Sub Pasta Salad is just what you need! With all the flavors of a classic Italian sub, it’s a hit at any gathering. Quick to make and easy to customize, it’s ideal for summer entertaining or a tasty weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 10 1x
- Method: Salad, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry pasta ((I used Goodles Loopdy-Loos))
- 3/4 cup ( 6 ounces ) salami, chopped
- 3/4 cup ( 6 ounces ) mini pepperoni
- 3/4 cup ( 6 ounce ) Muenster cheese, cubed
- 3/4 cup ( 6 ounce )s Provolone cheese, cubed
- 1 cup chopped banana peppers
- 2/3 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
- 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup hot chopped pepper relish*
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dry Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the pasta in salted boiling water according to the package directions (or until al dente). Drain and rinse under cold water. Shake well to remove excess water, then place the cooked pasta in a large bowl.
- Add in the meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Toss to combine.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined. Pour this over the pasta salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Toss again before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 825 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 33 mg

