When you need something a little different for your next barbecue or potluck, look no further than this Italian Sausage Pasta Salad. The marinated mushrooms and olives really take this to another level!

Italian Sausage Pasta Salad with Marinated Mushrooms and Olives

I am so excited for official summer grilling season to kick off! So excited, in fact – that I’m jumping the gun a little early and getting those side dishes going right now. Pasta salads are some of my VERY FAVORITE things to eat during the summer.

We threw these sausages on the grill and gave them a little char, chopped them up, and mixed them right into this awesome pasta salad.

My whole family really enjoyed them! The sausage really complimented this dish perfectly. Great big Italian flavors!

You can use your favorite Italian dressing or vinaigrette, or you can whip up my Greek Freak Dressing.

Yield: 6 people

Italian Pasta Salad with Sausage and Olives

Name: Italian Pasta Salad with Sausage and Olives
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb Campanelle pasta, cooked al dente, drained, and cold water rinsed; 4-6 ounce cubed mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup sliced black olives; 1/2 cup diced kalamata olives; 4-5 leaves large basil - chiffonade; 10 small mushrooms; 2 - 3 mozzarella and parmesan sausages; 4-5 medium ripe roma tomatoes, diced; 1 batch Greek Freak Dressing, or sub with your favorite vinaigrette

This delicious pasta salad is packed full of sausage, marinated olives and mushrooms, and big bold flavor!

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb Campanelle pasta, cooked al dente, drained, and cold water rinsed
4-6 ounce cubed mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup diced kalamata olives
4-5 leaves large basil - chiffonade
10 small mushrooms
2 - 3 mozzarella and parmesan sausages
4-5 medium ripe roma tomatoes, diced
1 batch Greek Freak Dressing, or sub with your favorite vinaigrette

Instructions

Wipe mushrooms clean, and place in a small dish or plastic baggie with the diced tomatoes and with about 1/2 cup dressing to marinate. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high. Quickly sear sausages until heated through and outsides have nice char marks on them.
Let the sausage cool, and cut up the sausage into bite-sized pieces.
Place the mushrooms on a skewer (or a couple skewers, if necessary), and quickly sear on the grill. You just want a little heat on these, and some grill marks. We aren't aiming to fully cook these.
Slice the mushrooms in half, and set aside.
Combine the pasta, cheese, olives, basil, mushrooms, sausage, tomatoes and the desired amount of dressing (reserve about 1/4 - 1/3 cup for dressing immediately before serving.) Stir to coat everything evenly, and chill for 1-2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 385Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 713mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 22g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

Nicole Johnson

Website

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.