Italian Shell Pasta Salad with Mozzarella, Basil & Tomatoes comes together quickly with the help of store-bought bottled Italian dressing. It’s wonderful as a chilled side dish or a vegetarian main course.
I always gravitate towards a cold pasta salad when it’s out on a buffet table at a party or gathering.
This Italian pasta salad is easy to make, and is best if prepared in advance and then allowed to chill in the refrigerator for several hours (or even better, overnight).
**Please Note – The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making this easy cold pasta salad side dish is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the “jump to recipe” button (below) to be taken directly to the recipe.
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The ingredient list;
**Note – The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- Medium Shell Pasta, or your favorite pasta variety (cooked just shy of the package directions)
- Red Onion
- Green Bell Pepper
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
- Prepared Bottled Italian Dressing
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Dried Basil
- Dried Oregano
- Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh Basil Leaves
- Salt and Pepper
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- large pasta pot
- colander
- wooden spoon or spatula
- chef’s knife
- cutting board
- cheese grater (optional)
- measuring cups and spoons
- large serving bowl
- plastic wrap
- air-tight storage container
Check out my latest and greatest Kudos Kitchen tasty BBQ side dishes recipe roundup.
Why this cold Italian pasta salad recipe works?
The thing I love most about this cold pasta salad side dish (besides the flavor itself) is the addition of the fresh Mozzarella Fresca (baby mozzarella balls), so I made sure to add plenty.
There is something so tantalizing about biting into tender, soft pillows of fresh mozzarella that are partnered with perfectly cooked pasta shells, and then smothered with big, bold Italian flavors, and then more cheese!
Also, it’s made in advance, so if you happen to be entertaining with this recipe, or are super busy on any given day, this delicious pasta side dish is ready and waiting in the fridge at a moment’s notice!
Can other shapes of pasta be used for this recipe?
Yes!
Feel free to use your favorite variety, just keep in mind that it’s good to have a type that will trap and hold some of the delicious ingredients. A pasta with texture and holes is always a good choice.
Can I add protein to this cold pasta salad?
Sure!
If you’re looking to make this recipe as more of the main course (for the carnivores in your life), feel free to play around with it.
What about adding some cooked chicken (store-bought rotisserie chicken is always a good choice), or maybe even some Italian sausage (leftovers work well for this) that have been pre-cooked and then tossed in with the pasta before chilling.
Oooh, before I forget! Cubed salami or sliced pepperoni would be great too!
You be the judge. It’s your salad, done your way!
Can this cold pasta salad be made in advance?
Yes! That’s the great thing about cold pasta salads. They get better the longer they sit.
This BBQ side dish can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored, well covered, in the refrigerator.
How long can this chilled pasta side dish be kept in the refrigerator?
If stored in an air-tight container, this pasta dish can remain fresh for up to 7 days.
What other vegetables can be used in this pasta salad side dish?
- green or yellow zucchini, chopped
- blanched green beans
- garbanzo beans
- blanched broccoli florets
- red bell peppers, chopped
- what are some of your favorites?
Can this chilled Italian pasta salad be frozen?
No! At least I’ve never tried it, and I don’t recommend it.
Due to the fresh ingredients (grape tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil), I doubt their texture would be good upon thawing.
This Italian shell pasta salad is best when refrigerated only!
Do I have to use fresh mozzarella in this recipe? Would shredded mozzarella also work?
It’s your call, really. But I suggest the fresh mozzarella for its creamy consistency and mild flavor.
Using fresh mozzarella cheese is a beautiful contrast of textures against the bite of the cherry tomatoes, and fresh bell peppers and onions.
Want tons of other BBQ side dish recipes you can really sink your teeth into? Check out the following:
Popular BBQ Side Dish Recipe Roundup – (pictured below) from all your favorite food bloggers from around the web!
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The easy instructions for make-ahead chilled Italian pasta salad:
- Cook the medium shell pasta according to the package directions, minus 2 minutes.
- Drain.
- Add the Italian dressing to the cooked and drained pasta along with diced green bell pepper, and diced red onion.
- Add a touch of extra virgin olive oil and black pepper.
- Stir well to combine.
- Allow the pasta to cool for 20 minutes.
- Once the pasta has cooled, add grape tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and the mozzarella cheese balls.
- Stir well to combine.
- Refrigerate the salad at least 1 hour, but longer is better.
- Garnish the pasta salad with freshly chopped basil and serve cold.
Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for today’s make-ahead side dish for Italian shell pasta salad.
- 1 pound shell pasta cooked 2 minutes less than package directions, and drained.
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3/4 cup bottled Italian dressing
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup bell pepper seeded and small diced
- 3/4 cup red onion small diced
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 2 8-ounce containters mozzarella Fresca (cherry size), drained
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves for garnish
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Add the Italian dressing and the olive oil to the hot cooked and drained pasta.
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Stir in the black pepper, bell pepper, red onion, garlic, dried basil, and dried oregano.
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Allow the pasta to cool for 20 minutes.
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Add the tomatoes, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese to the pasta.
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Stir well to combine.
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Season with additional salt if needed.
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Spoon the pasta salad into a large serving bowl.
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Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 60 minutes.
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Right before serving stir in the fresh basil leaves, and additional Italian dressing if needed.
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Serve cold.
Tools and equipment:
large pasta pot, colander, wooden spoons, cutting board, paring knife, chef’s knife, measuring cups, large bowl for serving
Add in suggestions:
cooked chicken, cooked turkey, cubed salami, cooked ham, tuna fish, cooked Italian sausage, pepperoni, capers, artichokes, garbanzo beans
Additional vegetable suggestions:
blanched green beans, green zucchini, yellow zucchini, blanched broccoli, red bell pepper
Thank you so much for visiting me here today in my Kudos Kitchen!
I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed today’s BBQ side dish recipe for this cold Italian Shell Pasta Salad as much as I’ve enjoyed bringing it to you!
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
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I love salads like this. Perfect for summer!
Thanks, Stephanie.
Wow this salad not only looks amazing but it looks refreshing!
That’s a great way to describe it, Meg. Refreshing. It really is!
I want to bring this to every summer picnic this year!
I think you should! LOL Every one!
I rarely use shell pasta but it looks perfect in this salad! Love how quick and easy it is.
I don’t use shell pasta often but this time I knew it would be the perfect fit! Thanks, Valerie.
The name of this salad sold me right away but your suggestion of adding salami – yes! I am totally in!
Next time I make it I’ll be adding salami for sure. Or bacon. Maybe bacon! Thanks, Anna!
Pasta salad is one of my favorite things! Can’t wait to try this one!
I know you’ll love it, Jessica.
This is such a perfect Summer salad for barbecues and potlucks!
It really is, Kimberly. It’s even better the next day. Gotta love pasta!
You made a wonderful pasta salad here and I am really looking forward to it!
Thanks, Ginny. I hope you love it!
I love shell pasta so I’m totally in love with this recipe. It’s perfect for summer picnic or to bring to a potluck. Great photos.
Thank you very much, Kim. That means a lot to me, coming from you!
I’m going to go have to go ahead and agree with you that nothing beats fresh mozzarella. This pasta salad looks divine!
Thank you so much. Fresh mozzarella, rocks!
I am also drawn to pasta salads on a buffet table… mmm and I especially like shells! I can see this tasty salad in my picnic basket! What a wonderful recipe, Renee! And the apron is adorable. I’m always wowed by your creativity!
Thank you so much, Rose 🙂
This pasta salad will be at all of our summer parties! Yum!
I knew I liked you, Wilhelmina! 😉
Tis the season for cold pasta salads and this one did not disappoint I made it for a work party and everyone loved it!
Love hearing that! Thanks, Jessica!!!
Awesome. Love hearing that, Jessica. It’s always a popular dish and one of the first to be eaten!
I too head straight for the cold pasta salads! If this dish is being served, I may or may not take the whole bowl – delish!
You are a girl after my own heart, Beth! 🙂
This salad has all of my favorite summer flavors!
That’s great to hear. Enjoy!!
So easy, so delicious and just in time for summer barbecues. I love pasta salads and caprese salads so this one is really checking off all my boxes. Can’t wait to try it!
Better grab a big spoon! You’re going to love this, Linda!!
This salad is easy to make and delicious with leftover grilled chicken for dinner. Definitely a repeat!
I love adding chicken to this salad too, Alyssa! Good to hear!
This is such a great side for all my BBQ’s!!
Such a true story. Thanks, Tanya!!
Summer in a bowl! We made this pasta salad for a picnic last week. Not only was it really easy to make, but my family loved the mozzarella and tomato combo.
That’s a great way to describe it, Dara! Especially with garden fresh tomatoes and basil! Glad you enjoyed it!
I have a backyard party coming up in a couple weeks that I have to bring a dish for. I think I might bring this. It looks great! Thanks for the help!
I can guarantee it will be a big hit, Debi! Enjoy!!
This salad was the hit of our potluck! It tasted great!
That’s awesome, Sandi! Thanks for letting me know.
I made a batch of this Friday to go with some grilled chicken and we loved it! We snacked on the leftovers all weekend!
I’d love to snack on some right now. I guess I need to make it again, STAT. Thanks, Wilhelmina!
It looks super delish. Pasta salads are my all-time favorite. I gave it a try and it turned out great. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Jeremy! Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed the recipe!
Take good care,
Renee