This paleo Italian pasta salad is a zippy crunchy pepperoni summer staple, that you can rejoice being able to eat again.

Raize your hand if you are desperate to find a paleo, whole 30 side dish that isn't a freaking vegetable?! Can we just get some carb like substances up in this joint, so we can feel like normal human beings at a summer cookout?
Is it so wrong to be paleo and still want to eat classic pasta salad? I think not. So I made one. And it's made of 100% whole30 friendly ingredients, paleo and grain free.
This summer pasta dish is served cold and is:
- Zippy
- Herby
- Crunchy
- So healthy
- And so totally craveworthy
This recipe is one that I have truly missed having since going paleo almost 8 years ago. If you, like me, are ready to get your homemade Italian dressing covered pasta bad-self on, keep on reading to learn how.
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Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Cassava pasta- These DELICIOUS pasta noodles are what makes this dish paleo and Whole30 friendly. Made only of cassava flour and they are seriously really good. I used Jovial cassava fusilli and the texture is great. I have to order online, but Kroger sells it pretty cheap and the shipping was only $4.99.
- Turkey pepperoni- You can use any type of pepperoni you prefer as long as all of the ingredients are paleo friendly. You can sub in salami if you prefer.
- Banana pepper rings- Be sure to read the ingredients of the banana pepper rings if you are super strict. Some brands have some pretty gross ingredients. You can sub in pepperoncini if desired.
- Olive oil- be sure to use light tasting olive oil here. Do not use extra virgin olive oil, the taste is too strong and will not be very good.
- Black olives- feel free to use any olive you love the most. They will all taste amazing. You could even do a mix of green and black. Yum!
Expert tips
- Make it your own! Don't be afraid to change the amounts of the yummy add ins of the salad. If you want less onion and more olives do it! As long as you don't go too overboard with the amount you add in, the dressing will cover it all.
- Let it chill- This recipe tastes the best when it has chilled together for at least an hour in the fridge. It isn't necessary but promotes optimal flavor. The pasta salad tastes great the next day as well. The texture stays the same, but may need to set at room temp if the olive oil seems not as smooth.
- Don't over cook the noodles- Be sure not to overcook your noodles. You want them to hold up to the add ins and dressing.
FAQ's
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes absolutely! You could make this up to 24 hours ahead of time. Just be sure to stir it again before serving. It made need to sit at room temp before serving to let the dressing come to room temp.
Alternatively you could also prepare all of the ingredients and wait to add the dressing 1 hour before serving.
But I thought you couldn't eat pasta on the paleo diet?
Before cassava noodles you couldn't! But cassava is made from the yuca root and is 100% paleo.
Step by step photo guide
More paleo summer recipes
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Paleo Italian Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This paleo Italian pasta salad is a zippy crunchy pepperoni summer staple, that you can rejoice being able to eat again. Serve cold and perfect for potlucks.
Ingredients
Pasta salad:
- 8 ounces of uncooked cassava fusilli noodles
- ½ cup of black olives, sliced
- ½ cup of grape tomatoes, chopped
- ¼ cup of diced red onion
- ½ cup of banana pepper rings, no juice, chopped
- 2 ounces of turkey pepperoni, chopped
Dressing:
- ¾ cup of light tasting olive oil (see notes)
- ⅓ cup of red wine vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- ½ teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions
- In a large jar or medium bowl, add all ingredients for dressing and whisk until combined. Set in fridge until ready to use.
- Prepare pasta according to the directions on the package. Do not overcook. Drain noodles and rinse under cool water until the noodles have cooled down. Drain completely and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add all ingredients for the pasta salad- cooked noodles, olives, tomatoes, onion, banana pepper, pepperoni. Whisk the dressing one last time and then pour prepared dressing over the salad and use two large spoons to gently toss to combine.
- Cover and chill for at least one hour for best flavor. Enjoy cold.
Notes
- Be sure to use light tasting olive oil, do not sub in extra virgin olive oil. The flavor is too strong.
- You can make this ahead of time as written and then leave covered in the fridge up to 24 hours. Be sure to let it sit out about 10 minutes if it was in the fridge for a long time so the olive oil is nice and smooth. Toss again before serving to recoat and dressing that went to the bottom.
- Chilling isn't necessary, you could serve right away, but it tastes better the longer it sits.
- Prep Time: 10
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 11
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: paleo pasta salad, italian paleo pasta salad, cold italian pasta salad
Katie
I’m not even Paleo and I love this pasta salad. The pepperoni makes it so addictive!
★★★★★
Jean Choi
I just love the flavors in this! So perfect with grilled chicken.
★★★★★
Yang
I will need to try the cassava noodles sometime! This combination of flavour is so good.
★★★★★
ChihYu
The delicious taste of summer! So glad that there is a paleo friendly pasta salad with cassava noodles!
★★★★★
tina
Can't believe this is paleo! So yum!
★★★★★
Stacey Crawford
I love pasta salad and I have not had cassava noodles before. Great idea & I can't wait to try this.
★★★★★
Erin
I can't wait for it to warm up enough for picnics! This looks just perfect and I love the ingredients. Especially the cassava pasta!
★★★★★
Kortney
Adding banana pepper rings reminds me of the good old days when building the most epic subways sandwiches. I miss them, but now I know how to bring them back!!
★★★★★
donny
I need to get some of this pasta so I can make this! I love all the flavors you added.
★★★★★