Supreme Pasta Salad

The Supreme Pasta Salad is a celebration of color, crunch, and creamy indulgence. With spiral rotini soaking up every drop of zesty Italian dressing, and a mix of pepperoni, cheese, and vibrant veggies, each bite is a mouthwatering explosion of summer flavor.

Perfect for everything from family cookouts to work lunches, this salad offers a delightful mix of textures and temperatures. The fresh parsley and basil brighten up the whole bowl, and the seasoning adds just the right savory kick. Make it once, and you’ll keep it in your fridge all summer long.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 16 oz rotini or fusilli pasta

• 1 cucumber, seeded and chopped

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 bell pepper (red, yellow, or orange), chopped

• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup sliced black olives

• 1/2 cup pepperoni slices, halved

• 1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

• 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

• 1 cup zesty Italian dressing

• 2–3 tbsp McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, black olives, pepperoni, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

3. Drizzle the Italian dressing over the mixture, sprinkle with Salad Supreme Seasoning, and gently toss until well coated.

4. Stir in the fresh parsley and basil.

5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.

6. Toss again before serving, adjusting seasoning or adding extra dressing if needed. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 375 kcal | Servings: 8 servings

The Ultimate Guide to Supreme Pasta Salad: A Flavor-Packed Summer Classic

When it comes to potlucks, picnics, or weeknight meals that need to deliver on taste, texture, and color, few dishes stand out like the Supreme Pasta Salad. This isn’t your ordinary cold pasta mix; it’s a carefully curated medley of bold Italian flavors, hearty textures, and bright, fresh ingredients that come together to create a dish that satisfies on every level.

Beloved for its versatility, this pasta salad is a hybrid of classic Italian antipasti and the American love affair with creamy, tangy, veggie packed salads. It’s a dish with the power to impress your dinner guests while also being a practical make-ahead option that holds up beautifully over time. Let’s dive into what makes this dish truly supreme.

The Allure of a “Supreme” Pasta Salad

At its core, pasta salad is a simple concept: cooked pasta tossed with various vegetables, proteins, and a dressing. But the Supreme Pasta Salad takes that basic idea and elevates it into something spectacular. With a harmonious balance of savory, salty, tangy, and fresh flavors, it has all the components of a complete meal minus the fuss.

This salad doesn’t just show up it steals the show. Thanks to its combination of pepperoni slices, rich cheeses, crunchy cucumbers, briny olives, and zesty Italian dressing, every bite hits a different note, like a well orchestrated symphony. The use of spiral shaped pasta like rotini or fusilli ensures that all the little crevices are filled with flavor, making every forkful delightfully satisfying.

Why It’s a Crowd Favorite

The Supreme Pasta Salad has widespread appeal for several reasons:

1. Visual Appeal – This salad is a rainbow on a plate. Between the bright red cherry tomatoes, green cucumbers, purple onions, and flecks of fresh basil, it offers a feast for the eyes before a single bite is taken.

2. Textural Contrast – Every good salad needs a textural journey. The chewy pasta, crisp vegetables, soft cheese, and slightly spicy pepperoni create a delightful balance that keeps each mouthful interesting.

3. Flavor Explosion – What sets this salad apart is the layered seasoning. The combination of zesty Italian dressing and McCormick’s Salad Supreme Seasoning adds a depth of flavor that standard pasta salads often lack. The seasoning blend includes paprika, sesame seeds, garlic powder, and Romano cheese, creating a bold flavor profile that melds perfectly with the other ingredients.

4. Make-Ahead Magic – If you’re planning for a party, cookout, or even your weekday lunch prep, this salad is your best friend. It tastes better the next day as the flavors develop and soak into the pasta, making it ideal for preparing ahead of time.

A Dish for Every Occasion

From casual summer cookouts to more formal brunches and work potlucks, the Supreme Pasta Salad fits right in. It’s portable, keeps well without reheating, and adapts to almost any dietary preference. Need a vegetarian version? Simply omit the pepperoni. Want a low-carb take? Substitute the pasta with spiralized zucchini or a chickpea-based alternative.

This pasta salad also shines during holidays and festive gatherings where variety on the table is essential. It can be served as a side dish to grilled meats, seafood, or sandwiches. Or, increase the protein and make it the star of the meal. It’s versatile enough to adapt to every culinary need.

Flavor Profile: Bold, Tangy, Fresh

Each component in the salad has been chosen not only for its taste but for how it interacts with others. The pepperoni introduces a salty, slightly spicy element that cuts through the creaminess of the mozzarella. The vegetables especially the cucumber and bell pepper bring refreshing crunch and brightness.

The Italian dressing works as the unifier, providing the tangy acid needed to pull all the elements together, while the McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning enhances the umami and adds complexity. A final touch of fresh herbs like basil and parsley brightens the entire dish, lifting it beyond the ordinary.

This salad doesn’t require elaborate techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. What it demands is balance and when done right, it delivers flavor in every single bite.

 Customization Ideas to Keep It Fresh

One of the best parts about this dish is how easy it is to adapt to what you have on hand or your specific dietary needs. Here are some creative ways to make it your own:

• Add Grilled Chicken or Shrimp – For a heartier version, add protein to transform this side into a satisfying entrée.

• Make It Vegetarian – Swap the pepperoni for chickpeas or grilled tofu for a meatless take.

• Go Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free pasta options like lentil, brown rice, or quinoa pasta.

• Amp Up the Veggies – Toss in roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, steamed broccoli, or shredded carrots.

• Play with Cheese – Sub mozzarella with feta for a Mediterranean twist or gouda for a smoky undertone.

• Try Other Dressings – While Italian dressing is traditional, a balsamic vinaigrette or lemon-herb dressing can offer a fresh variation.

The salad is so versatile that you can play around with textures, colors, and international flavor inspirations. Thai chili dressing with peanuts? Mediterranean twist with kalamata olives and feta? The canvas is yours.

Nutritional Considerations

Although rich in flavor, the Supreme Pasta Salad can be surprisingly balanced when served in moderate portions. The inclusion of fresh vegetables offers fiber and vitamins, while the pasta contributes carbohydrates for energy. The cheeses and pepperoni add protein and fat, which can help keep you feeling full longer.

If you’re watching calories or sodium, consider using a reduced-fat dressing, low sodium cheese, and a lean protein substitute. Whole grain or legume-based pastas are great options for boosting nutritional content.

Storage and Shelf Life

Another reason why this salad is such a hit with meal preppers is its long shelf life. Once assembled, the salad can be refrigerated for up to five days, making it ideal for weekly meal planning. In fact, it often tastes better after sitting for 24 hours, allowing the flavors to mingle and deepen.

Just give it a stir before serving to redistribute the dressing and herbs. If it looks a little dry after a couple of days, a quick splash of extra dressing or a squeeze of lemon can freshen it right back up.

Final Thoughts:

The Supreme Pasta Salad isn’t just another dish to bring to a barbecue it’s a celebration of flavor, texture, and culinary simplicity. It’s the kind of recipe that once you make it, it quickly becomes part of your permanent rotation. It’s dependable, delicious, and designed to please a crowd.

Whether you’re serving it at a big event, making it for a quiet night in, or using it as meal prep for the week, this salad covers all the bases. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, the Supreme Pasta Salad proves that the best recipes don’t have to be complicated they just have to be made with care, intention, and a pinch of creativity.

So next time you need a dish that checks all the boxes, remember: the Supreme Pasta Salad isn’t just supreme by name it earns that title with every bite.