Everything you love about pizza…in the form of a healthy Italian pasta salad! This super-easy salad is so simple to throw together, it will be a cookout requirement all summer!
So a startling realization just hit me, y’all. The 4th of July is literally one.freaking.week.from.today.
Wouldn’t it be nice if I, like..looked at the calendar once in awhile? Maybe then huge food holidays such as this one wouldn’t totally blindside me.
Seriously. If it weren’t for this pasta salad you see today being about as summery and cookout-worthy as it gets, I probably wouldn’t have remembered until my mom asked me about the cookout menu later this week.
I got problems, but at least pizza-style Italian pasta salad ain’t one of them.
Unless of course a bowl of this salad isn’t in my lap 24/7. ???
So where do you all stand with the Fourth of July? (those of y’all that actually live in the states, of course) Big shindigs or just little family cookouts? Fireworks? Parades? So much watermelon and ice cream you have to detox for a week afterwards? (meeeeeee)
My family always does a medium-ish sized shindig, but don’t let that fool you because that most definitely doesn’t mean a medium-sized amount of food. I’m talking 5-10 different kinds of side salads, fresh fruit and berries, corn-on-the-cob by the ton, enough watermelon to feed an army of hulks, a whole mess of hot dogs and hamburgers, homemade ice cream…occasionally a summer pie or two…
Trust me, guys. Post-Fourth of July detox is very real.
Now before we get to involved with the topic of detoxing, we should probably talk about pizza-style Italian pasta salad.
Our convos about carbs are the best, y’all. We all know it.
I won’t sugarcoat it for you: this pasta salad is for real my new summer spirit animal. It is SO.DANG.FREAKING.AWESOME.
It’s kinda like your basic simple Italian-style pasta salad only taken waaaaaay up a notch in the pizza direction. Always a good road to take.
Basically, it’s all the pizza toppings your little heart desires thrown in a huge bowl with pasta, fresh spinach, and a super-simple herbed olive oil + lemon vinaigrette dumped on top.
And then…your face inevitably face-down in the bowl in a matter of seconds later. It’s just gonna happen.
Trust me, guys. Wherever you take this pasta salad this summer it is going to just freakishly disappear at an alarming rate of speed.
I choose the option of zero sharing.
Italian Spinach Pizza Pasta Salad
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cavatappi pasta cooked according to package instructions
- 1 can 15 oz olives, sliced
- 1 6 oz package pepperoni
- 1 cup loosely-packed baby spinach coarsely chopped
- 1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
- DRESSING:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, olives, pepperoni, spinach, and mozzarella. In a separate medium bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour dressing over salad and gently toss until coated. Season salad with additional salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate salad until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition
More salad? ALWAYS.
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I can’t believe the 4th is only a week away, either! This summer is going by way too fast. This salad looks absolutely gorgeous, Sarah! This may just be my favorite pasta salad that I’ve seen yet. I love the pizza twist in here. Just perfect!
Sarah says
Thanks Gayle! This salad is an absolute MUST for the 4th!
Danielle says
I love making pasta salads during the summer, they’re so easy and delicious! And holy delicious too because you combine two of my favorite things into one dish. You can never go wrong with pizza!
Sarah says
Heck yes, pasta salads RULE in the summertime!
Jess @ Sweetest Menu says
Oh boy! I don’t know if anything beats a good pasta salad! This looks wonderful Sarah!
Sarah says
Nothing better in the summertime! Thanks Jess!
marcie says
I’ve got an Italian pasta salad in the works, but I love that you added that pizza twist! I love the pepperoni in here and that spinach is such a great touch! Beautiful bowl of goodness right here, and sounds like you have your work cut out for you on the 4th…yikes!
Sarah says
Can’t wait to see your pasta salad, Marcie! I seriously cannot get enough this time of year!
mira says
This pasta salad looks gorgeous! And I;m sure it tastes delicious! Pinning to make it for the holiday!
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning, Mira!