This crowd-pleasing Italian pasta salad with pepperoni is a huge hit at every family gathering. I've partnered with BRILLIANCE Lunch by Rubbermaid to share this super easy recipe with you.
This summer has been nothing short of hectic, and we've loved every minute of it! We've spent almost every other weekend visiting my parents in my hometown (that is 2.5 hours away) because there was so much to celebrate this year. I've got three nieces and each one had a big milestone this summer; a sweet sixteen, an eighth grade graduation, and an acting debut in a summer theater program. Plus, we visited for Memorial Day, 4th of July, birthdays, charity events, and more. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time at parties and picnics, and that's where I discovered this super easy Italian pasta salad with pepperoni recipe.
A family friend brought this dish to almost every summer party because everyone kept requesting it. It is THAT good. I made sure to get the recipe last time I saw her because I wanted to bring it to our Labor Day picnic. She sent me the list of the ingredients and said, "That's pretty much it. Just follow the directions on the salad dressing packet, but make sure you use Balsamic vinegar. That's the key."
It looked easy enough, I just wanted to make sure I kept the salad as fresh as possible. That's why I thought the BRILLIANCE Salad & Snack set would be perfect for transport and storage. It's perfectly designed for ready-to-go meals and snacks, like this quick and flavorful Italian pasta salad with pepperoni. The BRILLIANCE Salad & Snack set comes with customizable insert trays and dividers so you can keep your food in separate compartments. That's exactly what I was looking for since I didn't want to arrive with soggy pasta.
This kit includes 2 containers with lids (4.7 cups and 3.2 cups), a toppings tray with dressing container + lid, and 2 half trays. The proportions on this kit are perfect! I'm usually able to pack my lunch in one container and fresh fruit, veggies, or snack mix for my kids in the other when we head to the park or splash pad in the afternoons. Since it's made from ultra-durable Tritan material, it won't stain or absorb odors. Plus, it's BPA free and safe for the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. The best part is that the outer container is 100% leak-proof, thanks to its airtight latches, and believe me, we've tested it! Seriously, I fear no leak with BRILLIANCE. It's pretty much the perfect food storage solution. The Salad & Snack kit is priced at $22.99 and I think it's worth every penny. Sure, it's may be pricier than your average container, but I'm sold on its sturdy construction and leak-proof features.
Italian pasta salad with pepperoni
Once you've got all your ingredients, it's time to prep! Cook your pasta al-dente and slice your basil into thin ribbons. Normally, I prefer to use mozzarella pearls for this recipe because they're perfectly sized and adorable looking, but our store was out. Thankfully, any kind of fresh mozzarella will work though, so I just cut up the majority of this block into small cubes. As I mentioned earlier, just follow the directions on the salad dressing packet, but substitute Balsamic vinegar for regular vinegar. It really makes all the difference.
See how perfect the BRILLIANCE Salad & Snack set is for this dish?! Every ingredient has its own special place and when it's time to mix you can use the outer containers to toss everything together. You're able to fit quite a bit of pasta (or lettuce) in the larger container, so if you like a lot of dressing you might want to pack another little container with a bit extra.
Once you arrive at your destination, just mix and enjoy! The fresh flavors and the sweet and savory blend of the balsamic vinegar are heavenly.
Not that you'll have much left over, but if you do, you can easily transport it back home in your BRILLIANCE containers without having to worry about leaks.
Italian Pasta Salad With Pepperoni Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ box of Orecchiette pasta or substitute your favorite kind
- Fresh Mozzarella pearls of cubed fresh mozzarella around 8 ounces or more
- Mini pepperoni I used about â…“ of the bag
- Grape tomatoes
- Garlic and Herb salad dressing packet
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Several large basil leaves
Instructions
-
Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente.
-
Cut basil into ribbons.
-
Mix dressing according to package directions, but substitute balsamic vinegar for regular vinegar.
-
Mix all ingredients together, adding dressing to taste.
-
Enjoy!
I even made a little video to show you how insanely easy it is to prep this Italian pasta salad with pepperoni using the BRILLIANCE Lunch containers.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of BRILLIANCE Lunch by Rubbermaid. All opinions are my own.Â
Mandy hammons says
I'd like to try the glass containers with easy find luds
Laurie Nykaza says
1R01-shelf-xlarge
Premium Modular Canisters they looks great to use
Mary Diehl says
I'd love to try the FreshWorks Produce Saver. I'm always having to pitch fruits because of them going bad before I can use them.
Jenny Q. says
I like the Rubbermaid® Fasten + Go™ Entrée Kit, it would be great to have for my family.
Deborah D says
The Roughneck® 7x7 Shed is something we could use.
Amy C. says
I would like to try the Comfort Grip Tile and Grout Brush.
Marti Tabora says
I would really like to try the Reveal Power Scrubber. I think it would be really helpful for cleaning the bathroom. Thank you
Debbie Welchert says
I would love to have their 45 Qt Slim Fit Step-On Waste Can. I have the perfect spot for one of these.
Jackie says
I like the Party Platter. I didn't know Rubbermaid made one.
Thank you!
Darcy Koch says
I'd like to try the Rubbermaid Fasten n Go lunch boxes set.
rochelle haynes says
I like this one FreshWorksâ„¢ Produce Saver
maureen says
I like the ezstep folding step stool
Jeanna says
I'd like to try the Corner Helper shelf for pantry organization!
Darlene Owen says
I also like the 75 Qt DuraChillâ„¢ Wheeled 6-Day Cooler
Cathy Jarolin says
I would love to have the 14 Cup Premier Bowl
HS says
I would love Rubbermaid 10oz Leak Proof Travel Mug.
Dana Rodriguez says
I love the Glass with Easy Find Lids.
Francine Long says
I would love to try the Rubbermaid® Fasten + Go™ Entrée Kit - that looks awesome!
Sabrina Templin says
I'd like the Expanding Helper Shelves. It would be a big help to me! 🙂
Amanda Alvarado says
I like the Cargo Cooler Organizer! It would be great in the back of our vehicle and especially great on road trips and day trips to the beach!
Mia says
I would like to have the 45 qt. wheeled cooler for outdoor activities.
Andrea Williams says
I like their Premiere line of food storage and would love to have some of those too!
Kathy Ross says
I'd love to try any of the Glass with Easy Find Lids.
Chasta howes says
This looks delicious and seems very simple to make
Chasta howes says
Would like to try the stack and sort laundry baskets
Deborah W. says
I love Rubbermaid products. Would love to try the salad savers.
Leigh K. says
I would love to try the Rubbermaid Fresh Works products to keep my produce fresh longer!
Linda Manns Linneman says
I would like to have the 8-pc. Glass Container Set This would really come in handy at my house Thank you for sharing
Leela says
6-10 ft HomeFree series Closet Kit.
Michelle Castagne says
I would like to try the Hydration Bottle.
sandra says
I want to try the HomeFree series Closet Kits
Victoria Scott says
The Glass with Easy Find Lids look great!
Jennifer Tilson says
I'd like to try the Clean & Dry Plunger.
Karen D says
I'd like to try the FreshWorksâ„¢ Produce Saver
barbg says
I also saw their clever a place for everything and everything in it's place system with containers. I do love the sheerness of these storage containers.
Katie Bellamy says
I'd love to have the FreshWorksâ„¢ Produce Saver!
polly says
I like their Fasten N Go Lunch Box
Terry says
Another Rubbermaid product I would like to try is the Glass with Easy Find Lids.
cheryl s says
I'd love a Rubbermaid deck box for our pool supplies
Linda Madden says
I like the bulk storage containers.
Amy L says
I'd like to try the Freshworks Produce Savers.
Edye says
I'd like their glass containers with easy find lids!
Wendy Forbes says
I would like to try the FreshWorksâ„¢ Produce Saver.
Darlene Carbajal says
I like the wood shelves.
Jennifer Hedger says
Freshworks produce saver is another product I would like to try
Carolyn Hernandez says
I would like to have the FastTrack® Pantry Kit.
Karen Propes says
I would love to try The Rubbermaid Cargo Cooler Organizer.
Charlotte Winters says
I like the silverware organizer.
Danielle Papsis says
The Front Seat Organizer would make a great gift for hubby.
Cathy Jarolin says
I Pinned your Pin ~No show socks for your trieks..on my board Cathy's Best 8/25/2017 cathylynj broken link
Birdie Skolfield says
I want to try the 8 Qt. White Round Food Storage Container were a family of 7 so big is always better round here
Jessica Lodge says
I would really like the glass containers with the easy find lids.
Cathy Jarolin says
I repined your pin ( A back to School Teachers Gift ) On my Board ~ DIY ~ 8/27/2017 cathylynj broken link
april says
I would love to try LunchBlox® Kids for Flat Lunch Bags for my kids' lunches this year.
angela s says
The cup holder organizer
alice minx says
I like the glass containers with lids. I'm trying to get more glass storage in my home
Wendy R. says
I'd love to try the Rubbermaid® FreshWorks™ Produce Savers! It's depressing to see our produce go bad before we can eat it.
Robin Abrams says
I would love the Fasten+Go
Cynthia C says
I would like to have the Expanding Helper Shelves for pantry organization.
patrick jones says
Rope Designer Bath Mat
Kim Avery says
I would like to try the Glass with Easy Find Lids.
Jennifer Reed says
Rubbermaid has so many great products. A couple of others that I really like are the Party Platter and the Shaker Bottle.
Azeem Isaahaque says
I like the freshworks produce saver
Susan Smith says
I would love the 3-5 Foot Closet Kit
Ann Fantom says
I would like to get Rubbermaid's Premierâ„¢ 12 Piece Set
Robin says
I would like to get their Cup Holder Organizer.
Sarah L says
I'd like to try the Easy Release Ice Cube Tray.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah Oswald says
I would love to own the Big Maxâ„¢ 7x7 Shed it would look AWESOME in my yard and it would hold a lot of my gardening tools.
Cheryl B says
I like the 2-in-1 Scrubber.
Cynthia R says
I would also love to try the FreshWorksâ„¢ Produce Saver
Tracy Pryor says
I'd like to try the 2 in 1 scrubber.
Jae Park says
I'd like to try the FreshWork Produce Saver, it looks like the perfect size for us. Thanks!
Shane A says
I'd like to try the FreshWorks Produce Saver. We have such a hard time keeping veggies and fruit fresh. We end up wasting too much.
Denise B. says
I could also use the "Cargo Cooler Organizer" for our minivan.
buttmuffin says
i love the
4–8 Ft. Configurations® Deluxe Custom Closet Kit
Kathy Pease says
I would love the x-large-rubber-bath-mat
donna porter says
I would love to try the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers. I hear great reviews on the containers and I sure could use them!
Jeffrey says
I'd love to have a 24 Inch Resin Garage Wall Cabinet!
Jennifer H. says
I would like the Shaker Bottle.
Amy Baker says
I love the glass containers with easy find lids!
Kayla Klontz says
I'd love to try any of the products from the BRILLIANCE line.
Cathe Kriebel says
I'd love some of the Closet Storage boxes. Looks like they'd stack well and make greater use of the top closet shelf.
Brandi Dickerson says
The Freshworks Produce Savers
BRIAN E. says
We like the The Rubbermaid Cargo Cooler Organizer (for your car) !
LeAnn Harbert says
I want the Fresh Works produce keeper.
Lauryn R says
This recipe sounds amazing, I love all types of pasta! The flavor combination is perfect too, I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing the recipe! 🙂
Sarah Ganjon says
This looks so good! and I love the container.
Jenn k says
The produce saver looks awesome
Diane L Palumbo says
the glass storage containers look great. No residue left over, assortment of sizes, and easy to clean.
Jessi Housel says
This looks delicious, I'm a big pasta salad fan! Pepperoni and peas are my favorite additions to pasta salad
Roberta Dunton says
Yum! I can't wait to make this!
Joy Brink says
Looks yummy!
Jennifer Collado says
This looks delicious! I am going to try making it for dinner tonight ???
Wendy R. says
This looks delicious & easy to make! Thanks
Aubrey Scott says
LOVE the containers!
Christina A. says
That looks easy and delicious! It would be great for a summer potluck meal!
Michelle Elizondo says
The salad is perfect to eat at a church potluck.
Michelle Elizondo says
I love the rubber maid products.
Jenn K says
Sounds delicious!
Mary Jimenez says
Thank you for the recipe!
Sheila Colbert says
Love to try the recipe, looks really good
Katie D. says
The recipe looks DELICIOUS!! Gonna have try it out.
bonne says
The salad looks so tasty, And I love the fact that there are divider inserts in the container.
ellen beck says
This is the type of salad I would enjoy on its own or a side dish. This is also one that would get better the longer the flavors melded together. It looks good.
Amy Drazen says
I've been looking for lunch ideas for my daughter to bring to school other than sandwiches, and this is perfect. She loves everything that is in this salad. I'm pinning this recipe and look forward to trying it soon.
rochelle haynes says
This looks good and tasty
Tamra Phelps says
I really like all pasta dishes, and Ii can add this to my list, lol. It sounds like a tasty pasta salad.