Italian Sub Pasta Salad

Name: Italian Sub Pasta Salad with Salami & Provolone
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb fusilli pasta, cooked and cooled; 4 oz salami, chopped; 1 cup provolone cheese, shredded; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded; 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced; 1/2 cup creamy Italian dressing; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Parmesan cheese, for grating

Italian Sub Pasta Salad is a cold pasta dish that transforms deli flavors—salami, provolone, and pepperoncini—into an easy-to-make side that tastes better the next day as flavors meld.

🌍American 🏷️Pasta salad 🏷️Italian sub 🏷️Salami 🏷️Provolone Pepperoncini

🏷️

🏷️Salad

-0:00

britscookinonTikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$20–$33

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by britscookin

-0:00

britscookinonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb fusilli pasta, cooked and cooled
4 oz salami, chopped
1 cup provolone cheese, shredded
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
1/2 cup creamy Italian dressing
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Parmesan cheese, for gratingoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large bowl, combine the cooked fusilli pasta, chopped salami, shredded provolone cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, and sliced pepperoncini peppers.
2
Pour the creamy Italian dressing over the salad ingredients.
3
Toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
4
Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
5
Serve immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cool the fusilli completely before combining with dressing to prevent clumping and ensure even coating.
Halve cherry tomatoes and slice peppers just before serving to prevent excess moisture from watering down the salad.
Make this salad 4–12 hours ahead for deeper flavor development as the dressing coats each ingredient.
Taste and adjust seasoning with black pepper and salt after refrigeration, as flavors mellow as it chills.

Substitutions

Fusilli → Rotini or penne (shapes hold dressing equally well)
Salami → Pepperoni or ham (adjust quantity based on saltiness)
Provolone → Mozzarella or asiago (maintains Italian flavor profile)
Creamy Italian dressing → Oil-and-vinegar Italian or balsamic vinaigrette (reduce to ¼ cup and adjust to taste)

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days. The salad tastes best 4–12 hours after assembly; toss and add extra dressing before serving if it has dried out.

Common Questions

Can I make Italian Sub Pasta Salad ahead of time?

Yes. Assemble it up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. The flavors deepen as it sits. Toss again before serving and add extra dressing if it's absorbed.

What can I substitute for provolone cheese?

Mozzarella, Italian blend cheese, or asiago work well. Use the same quantity and shred or chop to match the original texture.

How do I keep the pasta from getting mushy?

Cool the cooked fusilli completely before mixing with dressing. Add dressing just before serving or no more than a few hours ahead to prevent over-absorption.

Can I use a different dressing?

Yes. Balsamic vinaigrette, ranch, or oil-and-vinegar dressings work. Start with ½ cup and adjust to taste since different dressings vary in thickness.