Antipasto Salad Recipe (2024)

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5 from 9 votes

Total Time 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Antipasto Salad Recipe (1)

This zesty antipasto salad recipe is filled with all of the best Italian flavors. Tortellini is mixed with peppers, olives, cheese and meat and finished off with a homemade Italian dressing.

Antipasto Salad Recipe (2)

This post was originally published in April 2021 and has been updated for content.

Antipasto is a traditional Italian first course that typically consists of cured meats, olives, peppers and other vegetables that are sometimes marinated in olive oil and vinegar. This zesty antipasto is all of the best parts of traditional antipasto but in easy make ahead salad form.

This antipasto salad recipe is perfect along side grilled Italian steaks, chicken caprese with pesto or shrimp kabobs at your next Summer BBQ!

Jump to:
  • 🌶 Ingredient notes
  • 📋 Substitutions and variations
  • 🔪 Step by step instructions
  • ⭐ Expert tips
  • ⏲️ Make ahead and storage suggestions
  • 🥗 More salad recipes
  • #ScarlatiFamilyKitchen
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

🌶 Ingredient notes

  • Tortellini - You can use dried, frozen, or fresh tortellini for this antipasto salad recipe. Whichever you use, the tortellini needs to be cooked, drained of water, and completely cooled.
  • Peppers - I just used jarred already sliced roasted red and pepperoncini peppers. If you can only find them whole, you can slice them on your own. Just be sure to drain the liquid from the peppers first before using them in the salad.
  • Olives - I used plain black pitted olives, but kalamata olives or castelvetrano olives would be also be good.
  • Cheese - Small pearl sized mozzarella balls are great for this recipe because they are a perfect size and ready to use. You can also cut a larger mozzarella ball into smaller pieces or used cubed small pieces of provolone cheese.
  • Meats - I like using whole salami and pepperoni that I cut into small cubes. I find that sliced salami or pepperoni doesn't mix in as well, but it will still work. Mortadella or cappicola would also be good alternatives.

📋 Substitutions and variations

  • Vegetarian - Omit the salami and pepperoni in the salad.
  • More veggies - Add marinated mushrooms, artichokes, or giardiniera.

🔪 Step by step instructions

First, combine the tortellini, peppers, olives, cheese and meats into a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Next, combine the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt in a small bowl or mason jar and stir or shake to combine.

Antipasto Salad Recipe (3)

Lastly, pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Refrigerate the salad before serving for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.

Antipasto Salad Recipe (4)

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⭐ Expert tips

  • After cooking and draining your tortellini, toss it with a little bit of olive oil to prevent it from sticking while it's cooling.
  • Make sure to cool the tortellini completely before adding it to the other ingredients or it will soak up too much of the dressing and become mushy.
  • Use a mason jar to easily shake up the ingredients for the dressing and pour it on the salad.

⏲️ Make ahead and storage suggestions

This antipasto salad recipe is best when made ahead of time so the flavors have time to marinate together in the refrigerator. It will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

🥗 More salad recipes

If you loved this antipasto salad recipe, check out these other salad recipes that I know you will love!

#ScarlatiFamilyKitchen

If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and give it a rating. I love to hear from each and every one of you! Tag me onFacebookandInstagramas well! It makes my day to see all of your photos of the food you have made.

📖 Recipe

Antipasto Salad Recipe (5)

Antipasto Salad Recipe

Amanda

This zesty antipasto salad recipe is filled with all of the best Italian flavors. Tortellini is mixed with peppers, olives, cheese and meat and finished off with a homemade Italian dressing.

5 from 9 votes

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Chilling Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine Italian

Servings 10 servings

Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds cooked cheese tortellini approximately 12 ounces dried
  • ½ cup sliced roasted red peppers drained
  • cup sliced pepperoncini peppers drained
  • 1 can large black pitted olives drained
  • 4 ounces mozzarella cheese balls
  • 8 ounces salami diced into small cubes
  • 8 ounces pepperoni diced into small cubes
  • 3 ounces extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ounce red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the tortellini, both peppers, olives, cheese, salami, and pepperoni. Toss to combine.

  • In a small bowl or mason jar, combine the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir or shake until ingredients are completely mixed together.

  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.

Notes

  • After cooking and draining your tortellini, toss it with a little bit of olive oil to prevent it from sticking while it's cooling.
  • Make sure to cool the tortellini completely before adding it to the other ingredients or it will soak up too much of the dressing and become mushy.
  • Use a mason jar to easily shake up the ingredients for the dressing and pour it on the salad.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Tortellini - Dried, frozen, or fresh tortellini can be used. It just needs to be cooked, drained of water, and completely cooled.
  • Peppers - Either pre-sliced peppers or peppers that are whole that you slice on your own will work. Make sure drain the liquid from the peppers before adding them to the salad.
  • Olives - Kalamata olives or castelvetrano olives are other alternatives.
  • Cheese - Small pearl sized mozzarella balls or a larger mozzarella ball cut into smaller pieces would work. Cubed provolone cheese will also work.
  • Meats - Small cubes of salami and pepperoni work better than sliced. Mortadella or cappicola would also be good alternatives.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

This antipasto salad recipe is best when made ahead of time so the flavors have time to marinate together in the refrigerator. It will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cupCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 27gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 2134mgPotassium: 191mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 207IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 205mgIron: 3mg

Did You Make This Recipe?Mention @scarlatifamilykitchen or tag #scarlatifamilykitchen!

Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Natalie

    Antipasto Salad Recipe (10)
    Lovely salad. Easy to make and so delicious. This recipe is a keeper.

    Reply

  2. Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/

    Antipasto Salad Recipe (11)
    This salad looks amazing! I would have it as a dinner and probably won't be able to eat anything else; it seems filling enough with the salami and the rest of the ingredients!

    Reply

  3. Nora

    Antipasto Salad Recipe (12)
    Yum! I love antipasto salad! Have to try out this recipe as soon as possible! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  4. Kayla DiMaggio

    Antipasto Salad Recipe (13)
    Yum! This antipasto salad was so delicious!

    Reply

  5. Freya

    Antipasto Salad Recipe (14)
    Delicious! I love antipasto and this recipe was so simple and quick to put together!

    Reply

  6. Debra

    Antipasto Salad Recipe (15)
    So much great stuff in here...with the perfect and easy italian dressing too.

    Reply

  7. Jere Cassidy

    Antipasto Salad Recipe (16)
    What a wonderful salad full of my favorite ingredients, plus I love how simple it is to make.

    Reply

  8. Jeannie

    Antipasto Salad Recipe (17)
    I love discovering new recipes and that I can have it ready in just about 10 minutes! That's a win for me.

    Reply

Antipasto Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does antipasto consist of? ›

In Italy, the most common antipasto dish is a simple display of cured meats on a plate, known as charcuterie in the U.S. These displays typically include prosciutto crudo di Parma or San Daniele, salame, coppa (capocollo), speck, and mortadella, or other regional, cured meats.

What is the difference between antipasto and antipasti? ›

Antipasto is the singular term (an antipasto), while antipasti refers to the collective or plural (a platter with different kinds of antipasti). If you're referring to a single appetizer, like a piece of cheese or bread, call it an antipasto.

What goes good with antipasto? ›

5 dishes that will transform your antipasto platter
  • Bread. Italians love bread and a crusty ciabatta or fresh baguette is the perfect antipasto accompaniment. ...
  • Roasted Vegetables. ...
  • Fruit. ...
  • Something sweet. ...
  • The perfect pairing.

What is a true antipasto? ›

Typical ingredients of a traditional antipasto includes cured meats, olives, peperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses (such as provolone or mozzarella), pickled meats, and vegetables in oil or vinegar.

What do Italians eat for antipasto? ›

The term antipasto means "before the meal." In Italy, this starter can be as simple as a bowl of olives, or it can take shape as a platter of assorted cured meats, cheeses, and vegetables served family-style. It can also be small-bite appetizers, little dishes meant to awaken the senses without spoiling the appetite.

What meats are in the antipasto list? ›

Antipasto Platter ingredients

Meats: Offer a selection of cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, coppa, capicola and sopressata. You can also use prosciutto and mozzarella cheese rolls for a unique touch.

Does antipasto salad contain pasta? ›

This antipasto pasta salad is a delicious combination of pasta, meat, and cheese with a homemade dressing. It serves a crowd and is great for a picnic.

What kind of cheese goes on an antipasto platter? ›

Grab your favorite soft, semi-hard, and hard cheese. I love funky gorgonzola, creamy fontina, and nutty Pecorino Romano. Bread or crackers: These are the supporting roles for your antipasto platter. I love griddled French bread, but you can also serve with crackers of your choice.

What is the best choice of antipasto? ›

Our 10 Favorite Foods To Create A Fabulous Antipasto Platter
  • Prosciutto Di Parma. ...
  • Beef Bresaola. ...
  • Berkshire Soppressata Piccante Spicy Salami. ...
  • Fresh Mozzarella Nodini. ...
  • Pecorino Romano. ...
  • Grilled Artichokes. ...
  • Caramelized Peppers. ...
  • Olive Oil, Sun-Dried Tomato and Onion Spanish Appetizer Crackers.
Mar 11, 2023

What is the English equivalent of antipasto? ›

In the US, antipasto is thought of as an hors d'oeuvre or an appetizer. The word itself, antipasto, means "before the meal," from the roots anti-, "before," and pasto, "food." The plural of antipasto is antipasti. "Antipasto." Vocabulary.com Dictionary, Vocabulary.com, https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/antipasto.

What's the best dressing for an antipasto salad? ›

Red Wine Vinaigrette: Made from red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, and extra-virgin olive oil, this vinaigrette brings a zesty and herby flavor that complements the other ingredients. Romaine Lettuce: Forms the fresh, crunchy base of the salad.

How do you assemble antipasto? ›

Place items in groups on the platter. For visual appeal, place a small bowl of a brightly-colored marinated vegetable or olives in the center and vary the colors of items next to each other. Place a few sprigs of fresh basil on the platter as garnish and to add a pop of color.

Is antipasto good for you? ›

The short answer is that it depends on the makeup of it. If you choose to have antipasto that relies heavily on cheese, for example, it probably isn't going to be the healthiest! Antipasto dishes like the caprese and those that use a good amount of vegetables can also be healthy.

Why is it called antipasto salad? ›

In Italian cuisine, the terms "appetizer" and "salad" refer to different types of dishes that serve distinct purposes in a meal. Antipasto (Appetizer): Definition: "Antipasto" literally means "before the meal" in Italian. It refers to a variety of cold or hot appetizers served before the main course.

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