Quick And Easy Cavatappi Pasta Salad

What is cavatappi pasta salad?

Cavatappi pasta salad is a delightful and refreshing dish that's perfect for any gathering or a simple family meal. Cavatappi pasta, known for its spiral, corkscrew shape, makes an excellent base for salads because it holds onto dressings and seasonings so well.

To whip up a cavatappi pasta salad, you start by cooking the pasta until it's perfectly al dente. Once it’s drained and cooled, you toss it together with a colorful mix of your favorite veggies. For a bit of zest, you can add olives, artichoke hearts, or sun-dried tomatoes.

Why you’ll love this cavatappi pasta salad recipe

This delightful recipe is not just a treat for your taste buds, but it's also incredibly fun to make. Here’s why you’ll be adding this to your go-to recipe list:

1. Twisty, Turny Pasta Fun - Cavatappi is Italian for "corkscrew," and that’s exactly the shape of this pasta. Its spirals are perfect for catching and holding onto every bit of your delicious dressing, ensuring a perfect bite every time.

2. Flavor Packed - Every forkful is a burst of flavors. Imagine the tangy taste of vinaigrette mixed with vegetables and the savory goodness of your favorite add-ins. It’s a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate!

3. Versatility at Its Best - Whether you're looking to impress at a picnic or just whip up a quick and tasty meal, this pasta salad is your best friend. You can tweak the recipe to include your favorite veggies, proteins, or cheeses. The possibilities are endless!

4. Easy to Make, Easier to Love - You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to excel at this recipe. It’s straightforward, simple, and absolutely foolproof. Plus, it’s just as good, if not better, the next day.

The ingredients you will need to make cavatappi pasta salad

Cavatappi: Cavatappi is a spiral pasta with a hollow center and outer ridges. Made with just durum wheat semolina and water, this springy spiral pasta originated in Southern Italy. Cavatappi is named for its “corkscrew” shape—a shape that is great for capturing hearty sauces and chunky ingredients.

Olives and Antipasti: For some zing, we use capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and calamata olives.

Meats and Cheeses: We used traditional dry cured genoa salami and delicious provolone cheese.

Fresh arugula and basil: Greens add fresh flavors to this salad.

Homemade dressing: We created a delicious and flavorful golden balsamic vinaigrette to bring out the flavors of the pasta salad.

How to make cavatappi pasta salad

Start by making the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and allow it to come to room temperature or chill in a large bowl.

Next, make the dressing by combining the ingredients and whisking in the olive oil.

Add the pasta and the chopped and diced ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over all of the ingredients and toss to combine.

Top tips

Pasta salad makes a perfect main dish served with a side of bread. It also makes the perfect side dish to a variety of grilled meats, corn on the cob, or hamburgers and hot dogs.

The best part about pasta salad is it is best to make it in advance! Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, 24 hours is recommended. Letting it rest in the fridge allows the flavors to marry together.

When serving pasta salad as a side dish, it's safe to guess that most people won't eat more than 3/4 cup of finished salad. If the pasta salad is the main meal the portion size will increase by double (generally).

Substitutions and additions

If you don’t have or can’t find cavatappi pasta, try using fusilli, farfalle, shells or shellbows.

For more fresh flavor, add cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers.

To make it vegetarian, omit the meat and skip the anchovies in the dressing and add more cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano.

What to serve with cavatappi pasta salad

Here are some tasty ideas to complement your pasta salad and make your meal even more delightful:

1. Grilled Meats: Whether you're firing up the grill for chicken, steak, or seafood, these protein-rich choices are excellent alongside the light, refreshing taste of a pasta salad. The smoky flavor from the grill and the crispness of the salad create a perfect balance.
2. Garlic Bread: Who can resist a slice of warm, buttery garlic bread? It’s perfect for soaking up any dressing and makes a satisfying addition to your pasta salad meal.
3. Fresh Vegetables: Consider serving a platter of crudité—like carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and bell peppers—with a dip to keep things light and healthy.
4. Fruit Salad: A simple fruit salad can add a sweet, refreshing touch that contrasts wonderfully with the savory flavors of your pasta salad. Choose seasonal fruits for the best taste and value.
5. Cheese Platter: Offer a selection of cheeses, from sharp cheddar to creamy goat cheese, alongside your pasta salad. Add some olives and crackers to complete the platter.
6. Roasted Veggies: If you’re looking to keep the meal vegetarian but hearty, roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms are a great choice.
7. Soup: Serve a light soup, such as a tomato basil or a vegetable minestrone, as a starter to your pasta salad main course. It’s a comforting addition that makes your meal more satisfying.
8. Herb Focaccia: Consider baking or buying a flavorful herb focaccia bread. It’s a delightful complement to pasta salad, especially if your salad features Italian or Mediterranean flavors.

Cavatappi Pasta Salad: FAQ

What is cavatappi?

Cavatappi is a type of pasta that you might fall in love with if you haven't already! Its name comes from Italian words meaning "corkscrew," and that perfectly describes its appearance. Cavatappi is a spiral-shaped pasta with ridges, which make it fantastic at holding onto sauces. This makes it a great choice for hearty sauces like meaty marinara or creamy Alfredo. It’s versatile, fun to eat, and a delightful twist on traditional pasta dishes. Give it a try in your next pasta night and see how those grooves catch every bit of flavor.

Can I make cavatappi pasta salad ahead of time?

Cavatappi pasta salad is actually a fantastic dish to prepare ahead of time. Not only does this allow all the flavors to meld together beautifully, but it also makes your meal planning a breeze. Just whip it up, store it in the fridge, and it's ready to go when you are! Plus, it tends to taste even better the next day. Just remember to give it a good stir before serving to freshen up the flavors.

Quick And Easy Cavatappi Pasta Salad

• 1 (1-pound) package DeLallo Cavatappi
• 2 tablespoons DeLallo Nonpareil Capers in Brine
• 1 (6.7-ounce) jar DeLallo Sun-Dried Tomatoes, sliced thin
• 1/2 cup DeLallo Pitted Calamata Olives, halved
• 9-ounce DeLallo Genoa Salami, diced into small pieces
• 8-ounce wedge DeLallo Provolone Cheese, diced into small pieces
• 1 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup chopped arugula
• Dressing:
• 2 DeLallo Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil, chopped
• 1 teaspoon DeLallo Chopped Garlic in Water
• 1/4 cup DeLallo Golden Sweet Balsamic-Style Vinegar
• 2 teaspoons DeLallo Lemon Juice
• 1/4 teaspoon DeLallo Sea Salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 cup DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and allow it to come to room temperature or chill in a large bowl.
2. Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining anchovies, garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil to incorporate.
3. Place all chopped and diced ingredients into the pasta bowl.
4. Pour dressing over ingredients. Toss well and serve.

You might also like...

Shop related products...

Shop related products...