Pasta And Sausage Salad
A vibrant pasta and sausage salad combining flavorful meats with fresh vegetables and a creamy dressing, perfect for casual gatherings and satisfying summer meals.
Ingredients
- 3 cups corkscrew pasta ⓘ
- 1 cup diced green or red pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 cup diced onion ⓘ
- 1/2 cup ripe black olives ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon garlic ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/3 cup salad dressing ⓘ
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup milk ⓘ
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
- 8 ounces hard salami ⓘ
- 4 ounces pepperoni ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook the pasta, rinse with cold water, and drain.
- Allow the pasta to cool completely and transfer to a large bowl.
- Add the diced green or red pepper, diced onion, and black olives to the pasta.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the salad dressing, sour cream, and milk until smooth.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and black pepper into the dressing mixture.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables, and toss well to combine.
- Let the salad marinate for at least 30 minutes to develop flavors.
- Just before serving, add the chopped salami and pepperoni, and toss lightly.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream or use whole grain pasta. You can also add in seasonal vegetables like cherry tomatoes or cucumbers for extra freshness. If you're short on time, using pre-cooked sausage can save you preparation time. Marinating the salad longer enhances the flavor, so consider making it a few hours ahead or the day before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this pasta and sausage salad as a hearty side dish at barbecues or picnics, or as a main course for a light lunch. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or can be enjoyed alongside a fresh Green With Envy Frozen Pie for dessert. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese for an extra touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even tastier the next day. To reheat, gently warm in the microwave, adding a splash of milk to loosen the dressing if needed, or enjoy it cold for a refreshing meal.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pasta And Sausage Salad contains roughly 379 calories, with 13g protein, 47g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (25% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1956mg per serving (85% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! This salad tastes even better when made ahead. Prepare it a few hours in advance or the night before to allow the flavors to meld. Just hold off on adding the salami and pepperoni until you're ready to serve to keep them fresh.
What other ingredients can I add?
Feel free to customize your salad with additional ingredients like diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or even artichoke hearts. You can also swap the salami and pepperoni for turkey or chicken for a lighter option or to use up leftovers, like in Turkey And Pepper Wedges.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this pasta salad is great for meal prep! Portion it into individual containers for quick lunches throughout the week. Just remember to keep the dressing separate if you prefer it freshly mixed for each serving, ensuring the pasta stays perfectly al dente.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).