Muffuletta Pasta Salad

The muffuletta is an iconic sandwich that originated in the French Quarter of New Orleans. If you don’t already know, the classic muffuletta features olive salad and several meats and cheeses sandwiched between two hearty slices of fresh Italian bread. Luckily, the combination of ingredients that makes the sandwich recipe a winner also translates nicely to pasta salad—and that’s just what we created with our muffuletta pasta salad recipe.

This hearty side is sure to be a crowd-pleasing Mardi Gras recipe at your celebrations. Muffuletta pasta salad can also be served alongside favorite picnic recipes at a summertime potluck or backyard barbecue.

Ingredients for Muffuletta Pasta Salad

• Pasta: The best type of pasta to use in this recipe is a short-cut pasta with a lot of nooks and crannies, such as rotini, farfalle or capanelle.
• Meats: This pasta salad uses salami, ham and mortadella to match the meats found in a muffuletta sandwich. You can cut the meat into cubes yourself or look for pre-cubed meat in the deli section. Save any leftovers for a charcuterie board!
• Cheeses: The creamy and mild flavors of mozzarella and provolone balance the saltiness of the cured meats. Using a hard or aged variety for both the mozzarella and provolone will give your pasta salad longer storage life.
• Olive salad: The bulk of flavor in this salad comes from jarred olive salad. This classic muffuletta sandwich spread typically includes finely chopped olives, peppers, cauliflower, capers and celery along with garlic and spices such as oregano. Use a store-bought jar, or prepare homemade olive salad to go the extra mile.
• Pepperoncini: Diced pepperoncini add a tangy flavor along with a mild spice to the muffuletta salad.
• Olives: Sliced black and green olives add color and more briny olive flavor to the salad.
• Roasted red peppers: Roasting red peppers brings out their flavor. You can roast the red peppers yourself or use jarred roasted red peppers.
• Red onion: This type of onion adds a peppery and spicy flavor to the muffuletta salad.
• Fresh parsley: Fresh chopped parsley adds a pop of color and fresh herb notes.
• Red wine vinaigrette: The pasta salad is lightly dressed with a simple red wine vinaigrette that incorporates olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder and Cajun seasoning.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Drain and rinse with cold water. Place in a large serving bowl.

Step 2: Combine the salad ingredients

Top the cooked, cooled noodles with the cubed salami, mortadella, ham, mozzarella and provolone as well as the olive salad, chopped red onion, pepperoncini, sliced green and black olives, and roasted red peppers. Stir gently to combine.

Step 3: Make the dressing

In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder and Cajun seasoning.

Step 4: Dress the salad

Drizzle the dressing over the pasta salad. Cover and refrigerate the salad at least 30 minutes.

Top with fresh chopped parsley just before serving.

Muffuletta Pasta Salad Variations

• Mix up the meat: Other meats that work in this muffuletta salad include soppressata, pepperoni, bologna, capicola, prosciutto or speck. If you prefer, use sliced meat rather than cubed meat.
• Change the cheese: Use cubed Swiss, sharp cheddar or Gruyere in place of the provolone or mozzarella.
• Skip the pasta: Omit the pasta and toss the ingredients together with fresh greens such as romaine, arugula or baby spinach.

How to Store Muffuletta Pasta Salad

Leftover muffuletta salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Leftovers should be consumed within five days of making the salad.

Can you make muffuletta pasta salad ahead of time?

This pasta salad benefits from having some time in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld together. For the best flavor and texture, plan to make the salad a few hours in advance. You can even cube the meats and cheeses, slice the olives and chop the red peppers a few days in advance. Store the prepped ingredients together or separately in the refrigerator.

Muffuletta Pasta Salad Tips

How do you make muffuletta olive salad from scratch?

A muffuletta sandwich is just a boring meat sandwich with olive salad! Olive salad is easy to make and combines olive oil, vinegar and spices with chopped olives and vegetables such as peppers, celery and cauliflower. Use leftover olive salad on sandwiches or on slices of toasted baguette.

What else can you serve with muffuletta pasta salad?

Lean in to the Louisiana vibes and serve muffuletta pasta salad alongside Cajun burgers, grilled shrimp or blackened halibut. This flavor-packed pasta salad is also a tasty option to serve at a potluck or summer picnic.