Pasta salad is essential for parties and gatherings! I always get a craving for it when I am getting ready for an event. You can certainly throw any pasta salad together quickly, but it is so easy to make your pasta salad fancier and even more delicious with a few upgrades, like swapping ordinary noodles for pierogies. Use store bought Italian dressing or use my homemade recipe below to make this Pierogy Italian Pasta Salad. Thank you Mrs. T’s Pierogies for sponsoring this post.
Mrs. T’s Pierogies are a favorite around our house, for both snacks and meals, so I knew my family wouldn’t mind being the guinea pigs for this recipe. I can’t wait to serve this at my next event. It is also nice to have around the house. I like making a batch to pack as a side in everyone’s lunches throughout the week.
Why You'll Love This Italian Pasta Salad
- Upgraded – Fresh mozzarella pearls and cheese-filled pierogies seriously take this pasta salad to the next level. If you were looking for a way to upgrade your favorite, this is a great choice!
- Better than Bottled – This recipe includes a recipe for your own Italian dressing, and it is even better than the bottled stuff! Best of all, the entire recipe only takes 25 minutes to prepare!
Ingredients For Italian Pasta Salad
- Mrs. T’s Pierogies – Mrs. T’s offers many varieties of frozen pierogies, but I recommend going with the 4-cheese variety for this recipe.
- Salami – You need 1 cup of chopped salami. Try to keep your cuts similar in size to the other ingredients. Like with any pasta salad, you want to be able to get everything evenly mixed, so that ingredients can easily end up on the fork together.
- Mozzarella – Pasta salad is truly next level with the addition of mozzarella pearls! Choose the smaller variety so that they are ready to go, and won’t require any chopping.
- Olives – I recommend sliced black olives for this recipe, though you could add green as well, if you wish.
- Cherry Tomatoes – You can stick with the same halved cherry tomatoes you would use in any pasta salad recipe!
- Bell Pepper - I recommend a mix of chopped red and green bell pepper, as their flavors really complement this recipe nicely.
- Parmesan – You will need a cup of grated parmesan. The mozzarella pearls add more to the bite of the dish, while the grated parmesan adds more in the way of flavor.
- Fresh Parsley – Chopped parsley really adds an element of freshness to the dish. You can also replace it with chopped fresh basil, or leave it out entirely if you prefer.
- Italian Dressing – I have included a recipe for your own Italian dressing. You will need red wine vinegar, garlic salt, black pepper, dried Italian herbs, sugar, and olive oil!
- Optional Garnishes – If you wish, you can garnish your pasta salad with parmesan cheese, pepperoncini, fresh lemon wedges, fresh parsley or basil.
How to make Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
- Over medium-high heat sauté the frozen Mrs. T’s Pierogies in oil or butter for 3-5 minutes or until cooked, and edges are golden brown. See the box directions for reference.
- In a small dish vigorously whisk together the red wine vinegar, garlic salt, pepper, dried herbs, sugar and olive oil. Set aside
- In a large dish mix to together the tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, salami and mozzarella.
- To the bowl, dress the contents with the grated parmesan, chopped herbs and the vinaigrette.
- Add cooked and cooled pierogies.
- Serve warm or room temp with extra cheese or fresh lemon wedges.
Step by Step Instructions
To start, prepare your Mrs. T’s frozen Pierogies. Sautee the pierogies in oil or butter for 3-5 minutes over medium-high heat. You can reference the box for instructions, but you will know they are cooked with the edges are golden brown.
Next, make your homemade Italian dressing! Add your red wine vinegar, garlic salt, pepper, dried herbs, sugar, and olive oil to a small bowl, and whisk vigorously. Once everything is well mixed, set aside.
Now you can begin to build your salad. Add your tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, salami, and mozzarella to a large bowl and mix.
Add your grated parmesan, chopped herbs, and homemade dressing to the bowl and mix so that all ingredients are evenly dressed.
Once your pierogies have finished cooling, add them to the bowl.
Garnish as desired, and enjoy your pierogi pasta salad warm or at room temperature!
Cook's Tips
- You can store your Italian pasta salad in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in 30-second intervals, if desired.
- This pasta salad is delicious both warm and cold!
- If you don’t like using white sugar in your dressing, you can try replacing it with honey or agave.
FAQ:
While you can prepare frozen pierogies a number of ways, I recommend simply cooking them in a hot skillet with some oil or butter!
Yes, but to me, when you use pierogies it's best fresh. Most pasta salads can be kept up to 4 days in the refrigerator, and in my opinion, it is even better the second day, once all of the ingredients have soaked up a bit of the vinaigrette. If you do prepare this dish in advance, I recommend either microwaving it for 30 seconds, or leaving it on the counter to take the chill off, as sometimes olive oil can solidify in the refrigerator. Stir well before serving.
Italian dressing is typically a type of vinaigrette. In particular, the dressing in this recipe is a red wine vinaigrette, so you could call it that if you prefer!
Looking for more delicious salad recipes? Try these:
Tried this Pierogies Italian Salad recipe and love it? Please leave me a comment and rating below. Feel free to also tag me, I love to see your creations and sharing them. For more inspiration follow us on Instagram Or like us on Facebook
Pierogy Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For Pasta Salad
- 1 12.84oz Box Mrs. T 4 Cheese Pierogies, cooked according to box directions
- 1 cup Salami chopped
- 1 cup Mozzarella Pearls drained
- 1 cup Black Olives sliced
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 1 cup Bell Pepper chopped
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- ¼ Fresh Parsley or Basil chopped, optional
- Optional Garnishes: parmesan cheese pepperoncini’s, fresh lemon wedges, fresh parsley or basil
For Homemade Dressing
- ¼ cup Red Wine Vinegar
- ¾ tsp Garlic Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- ½ tsp Dried Italian Herbs
- 1 tsp White Sugar
- ½ cup Olive Oil
Instructions
- Over medium-high heat sauté frozen the Mrs. T Pierogies in oil or butter for 3-5 minutes or until cook and edges are golden brown. See the box directions for reference.
- In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together the red wine vinegar, garlic salt, pepper, dried herbs, sugar and olive oil. Set aside.
- In a large bowl mix to together the tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, salami and mozzarella.
- To the bowl, dress the contents with the grated parmesan, chopped herbs and the vinaigrette.
- Add cooked and cooled pierogies.
- Serve warm or room temp with extra cheese or fresh lemon wedges.
Notes
May be served warm or cold.
Reheat by microwave in 30 second intervals.
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