Loaded Antipasto Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish to serve when grilling at your next BBQ. Great for potlucks & picnics, and easy to make too.

 

 

This post is sponsored by Nathan’s Famous® and Snapple®. The opinions and text are my own.

Loaded Antipasto Pasta Salad

The summer season encompasses so many things, everything from the outdoors, food, travel, sports, and overall fun. Opportunities just seem to present themselves more during the summer months.

We’re more spontaneous in our lives. Our schedules are more flexible with the kids being out of school on summer break, we have later bedtimes, we venture away on camping weekends if the calendar allows. It is such a wonderful season, we try to enjoy it as much as possible.

The flexibility that summer brings us flows over into our meals too. We definitely do more grilling, it makes dinners so easy and affords us even more outdoor time. Last year we bought a small portable propane grill that we use when we camp, so small we can even load it into the car for impromptu visits to local parks.

 

 

What’s another thing that comes to mind when you think of summer? Baseball and lots of it! In parks across the land, we see the time-honored tradition of this beloved sport. Games being played in small towns, big cities and even while picnicking at a local park, it is a summertime tradition.

Whether catching a MLB game or rooting for your favorite team while watching on TV, summer and baseball just fit together like a ball and glove! They fit together almost as well as tasty grilled food and summer, one of the best pairings around.

 

 

On my last shopping trip to Meijer, I loaded up on delicious Nathan’s Famous® skinless beef franks and Snapple®, two items which make summer grilling just that much better. This is a classic combo which you can enjoy the entire season.

 

 

Did you know you can buy a 6 pack of Snapple at Meijer? Totally convenient for summer, you can easily grab one as you head out the door or place a few into a cooler for picnics.

 

 

Firing up our grill and grilling Nathan’s Famous franks just feels and smells like summer. Make it the perfect Grand Slam Duo by opening a Snapple and there you have it, summertime perfection.

 

 

Alongside our grilled Nathan’s Famous franks and refreshing Snapple, I served an easy Loaded Antipasto Pasta Salad. This salad transports great, you can make it all summer long for picnics and BBQ’s. A great addition to easy summer dining. 

 

 

Yield: 8-10 servings

Loaded Antipasto Pasta Salad

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Loaded Antipasto Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish to serve when grilling at your next BBQ. Great for potlucks & picnics, and easy to make too.

Ingredients

• 1 lb rotini pasta, cooked and drained
• 16 oz Italian salad dressing, divided
• 8 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed
• 1 cup ham, diced
• 1/2 cup mini pepperoni
• 1/2 cup olives, sliced
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook rotini according to package directions, drain and set aside.
2. Combine all ingredients in large bowl using only 1/2 of Italian salad dressing. Mix thoroughly, refrigerate at least one hour. When ready to serve mix in remaining Italian salad dressing.
3. Refrigerate leftovers.

Notes

If you'd like to add in additional spice try including: red pepper flakes or chopped pepperoncini or banana peppers. I like to use a Zesty Italian salad dressing and you can certainly use provolone cheese if desired.