Best 2 Muffaletta Pasta Salad Recipes

**Muffaletta Pasta Salad: A New Orleans Classic**

Hailing from the vibrant streets of New Orleans, muffaletta pasta salad is a delightful dish that combines the flavors of the iconic muffuletta sandwich with the convenience of a pasta salad. This unique creation features an array of ingredients that come together to form a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Indulge in the savory taste of ham, salami, provolone cheese, and tangy olive salad, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and a zesty vinaigrette dressing. This versatile dish can be served as a main course, a side dish, or even as a flavorful addition to your next potluck or picnic. With its vibrant colors and irresistible taste, muffaletta pasta salad is sure to become a favorite among pasta enthusiasts and New Orleans cuisine lovers alike.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MUFFALETTA PASTA SALAD

Muffaletta Pasta Salad image

The great New Orleans sandwich turned into an easy cold dish. You can serve this over a bed of lettuce with a slice of French bread to make it a meal versus a side dish.

Provided by Elisa Nuccio Holt

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 pound rotini pasta
5 ounces tapenade (olive spread), or more to taste
1 pinch ground black pepper to taste
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
8 ounces sliced salami, cut into thin strips
8 ounces sliced baked ham, cut into thin strips
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
4 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
¼ bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and run under cold water to cool.
Mix tapenade into pasta and season with pepper. Add artichoke hearts, salami, ham, olives, mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese, red bell pepper, and parsley to pasta mixture and toss to coat. Transfer salad to a serving bowl and top with sesame seeds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 585.1 calories, Carbohydrate 51.6 g, Cholesterol 63.7 mg, Fat 29 g, Fiber 4.2 g, Protein 28.6 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 1775.8 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

ELLEN'S MUFFALETTA PASTA SALAD

Ellen's Muffaletta Pasta Salad image

This salad has everything in the filling of a muffaletta sandwich but in pasta salad form! It is a great salad to take on a picnic and it has a nice variation of tastes on the tongue in each bite! It is one of our summer picnic staples!

Provided by Ellen Bancroft Ziegler

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package rotini pasta
2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup chopped pepperoncini
½ pound Genoa salami, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
½ pound Cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
⅓ pound provolone cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
½ sweet onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
½ cup 1/2-inch pieces pitted green olives
½ cup 1/2-inch pieces Kalamata olives
½ cup 1/2-inch pieces pepperoni
½ cup 1/2-inch pieces celery
½ cup chopped green bell pepper
½ cup chopped red bell pepper
½ (6 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (8 ounce) bottle Italian-style salad dressing, or more to taste

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini in boiling water until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Rinse pasta with cold water until chilled; drain.
Mix carrots, pepperoncini, Genoa salami, Cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, sweet onion, green olives, Kalamata olives, pepperoni, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and artichoke hearts together in a large mixing bowl. Pour Italian-style salad dressing over the salad and toss to coat; add pasta and stir.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Stir salad and add more Italian-style dressing as needed if you find the salad too dry.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 720.5 calories, Carbohydrate 53.2 g, Cholesterol 86.7 mg, Fat 43.2 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 29.9 g, SaturatedFat 16.6 g, Sodium 2597.4 mg, Sugar 6.1 g

Tips:

Prep veggies and meats in advance: Save time by chopping and slicing vegetables and cooking meat ahead of time. This will make assembling the pasta salad a breeze.
Cook pasta al dente: Slightly undercooked pasta will hold its shape better in the salad and absorb the dressing better.
Let pasta salad chill: Chilling the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving allows the flavors to meld and develop.
Use a flavorful dressing: A well-balanced dressing is key to a great pasta salad. Use a combination of olive oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices to create a dressing that complements the other ingredients.
Don't overmix: Gently toss the pasta salad to combine the ingredients, but be careful not to overmix, as this can break up the pasta and vegetables.

Conclusion:

Muffaletta pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or summer barbecues. With a combination of hearty pasta, flavorful meats, and vegetables, all tossed in a tangy dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit. The addition of muffaletta olive salad gives this pasta salad a unique and authentic New Orleans flavor. So next time you're looking for a crowd-pleasing dish to bring to a gathering, give muffaletta pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!