Patriotic Italian Pasta Salad (High-Protein & Perfect for Summer Hosting)
If you’re looking for a festive Fourth of July pasta salad that still feels elevated enough for summer hosting, this Patriotic Italian Pasta Salad with Protein+ Stars is it!
Creator: Leslie Stokes
If you’re looking for a festive Fourth of July pasta salad that still feels elevated enough for summer hosting, this is it. I wanted something that felt classic and crowd-pleasing without leaning too heavily into themed food. Using star-shaped pasta instantly gives it that patriotic touch while still being something everyone will actually eat.
I especially love using Barilla Protein+ Stars because it adds a little extra protein and fiber to a side dish that can often feel carb-heavy. The higher-protein pasta makes this salad more satisfying and turns it into something substantial enough for lunch, potlucks, barbecues, or easy summer dinners. If you can’t find the Protein+ version, any star-shaped pasta works beautifully.
This pasta salad has all the flavors of your favorite Italian sub—salami, mozzarella, pepperoncini, fresh basil, tomatoes, and a homemade Italian vinaigrette that is so good you’ll want extra for drizzling over everything. In fact, after making this several times, I found it definitely benefits from a little more dressing than your typical pasta salad recipe since the pasta continues to absorb it as it sits.
It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, pool parties, lake weekends, camping trips, or anytime you’re hosting family and friends during the summer months.
Why You’ll Love This pasta salad Recipe
- Uses higher-protein pasta for a more satisfying side dish
- Easy to prep ahead of time
- Perfect for summer entertaining and holidays
- Crowd-friendly ingredients everyone loves
- Festive without feeling over-the-top
- The homemade dressing is absolutely delicious
Patriotic Serving Ideas
To make this feel extra festive without adding ingredients that don’t quite fit:
- Use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut mozzarella slices into stars.
- Garnish with extra basil for a fresh pop of color.
- Serve in a white bowl with red gingham napkins for an easy patriotic presentation.
- Pair it with burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, or steak for your summer cookouts.
- order everything I used Here
Variations
Add More Protein
Turn this into a complete meal by adding:
- Grilled chicken
- Pepperoni
- Chickpeas
- White beans
- Prosciutto
Make It Vegetarian
Simply omit the salami and add:
- Chickpeas
- Artichoke hearts
- Extra mozzarella
Swap the Pasta
If you can’t find Protein+ Stars, try:
- Any star-shaped pasta
- Protein rotini
- Bow ties
- Ditalini
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
If making ahead, reserve some of the dressing separately and toss before serving to revive the salad.
I do not recommend freezing this recipe.
What to Serve With Patriotic Italian Pasta Salad
This pasta salad pairs perfectly with:
- Hot dog bars
- Smash burgers
- Grilled chicken
- Steak kabobs
- BBQ pulled pork sandwiches
- Watermelon and fresh fruit
- Chips and homemade guacamole
- Summer mocktails or lemonade
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this the night before?
Yes! This is actually one of those recipes that tastes even better after chilling overnight. Just save some dressing to toss with it before serving.
Do I have to use Protein+ pasta?
Not at all. I love the added protein and fiber from Barilla Protein+ Stars, but any star-shaped pasta will work.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely. Simply substitute your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Why does pasta salad need extra dressing?
The pasta absorbs dressing as it sits in the refrigerator. Making a little extra ensures every bite stays flavorful and never dry.
Tips for the best pasta salad
Use Protein Pasta
I love using Barilla Protein+ Stars because it adds extra protein and fiber while still tasting like traditional pasta. It makes this side dish feel a little more balanced.
Save Some Dressing
Pasta naturally absorbs dressing as it sits. Reserve some dressing to toss with the salad right before serving so it stays fresh and flavorful.
Make It Ahead
This is one of those recipes that tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld together.
Don’t Overcook the Pasta
Cook just until al dente to help the pasta hold up after chilling.
I hope this helps you! Don’t forget to follow along on social media for more Meal Prep + healthy recipes!
Patriotic Italian Pasta Salad with Protein+ Stars
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad:
- 1 14.5 oz box Barilla Protein+ Stars pasta (or any star-shaped pasta)
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls or diced fresh mozzarella
- 4 oz salami sliced into ribbons
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- ¼ cup red onion finely diced
- ⅓ cup sliced pepperoncini
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
For the Italian Dressing: (Extra dressing because this salad needs it!)
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Let's Make It
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, cucumber, red onion, pepperoncini, and basil.
- Pour about ¾ of the dressing over the pasta salad and toss well to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Just before serving, toss with the remaining dressing to freshen everything up and add extra flavor.
- Garnish with additional fresh basil and mozzarella stars if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Estimated per serving (based on 10 servings):
Calories: 330
Protein: 13g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fat: 19g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 3g
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on exact ingredients used.
Meal Prep in 1 Hour
You can use any two of the meals in this series to get your meal prep done in just about and hour, give or take!
Having your breakfast and lunch ready for the week helps you stay on track with your nutriton, saves you time and money! I truly beleive that meal prep does not need to be over complicated, take too much time or be boring!
I always get asked- “do you ever get tired of eating the same thing all week?” and the answer is, no! Not when the food taste good! I give plenty of variety in these preps and keep it simple!
As always, thanks for being here and remember, don’t over complicate the process! Take a deep breath, you got this!
