I’m always on the hunt for a go-to recipe I can take to potlucks and events that works for every season. Last weekend, I made the best Asiago pasta salad for my husband’s high school reunion.

I thought it was fabulous and happily chowed down. 🙂 I made a simple parmesan asiago spread, added some veggies from my garden, and the pasta. Store-bought pasta salad is kind of gross, and it’s so easy to make your own!

Asiago Pasta Salad Ingredients

I really love olives with pasta and veggies. How the heck do you describe the taste of an olive, anyway? Delicious. That’s how I describe them. If you like olives, you’ll really enjoy this salad. It’s easy to whip together and perfect all year round.

Here’s my recipe for taking a classic pasta salad and making it better:

• Multi-colored pasta: You can use any pasta you prefer. I like the multi-colored rotini but any shape will work.
• Red onion: Gives a bit of crunch to the salad and a savory flavor.
• Sweet peppers: I used orange bell peppers from my garden, but use whatever you have. Make sure they are fresh, crisp, and sweet.
• Roma tomatoes: Choose tomatoes that are firm and flavorful. I used roma because they hold up well for a few days in the fridge and that is what I had ready in my garden. Cherry tomatoes would also work.
• Chopped green olives: I don’t know how to describe the flavor of green olives. Use your favorite brand.
• Parmesan Asiago Spread (recipe and directions below): This is easy to whip up and gives the flavor to the pasta salad. Don’t skimp on it!
• Olive oil: Adds healthy heart benefits and flavor to the salad.
• Salt & pepper to taste: I love a good bit of black pepper in this salad, but add enough to make your own taste buds happy.

How to Make Homemade Asiago Spread

The first step is to make the Parmesan Asiago spread. It’s best if made 24 hours in advance so the flavors can meld together, but don’t worry if you don’t have that much time. You’ll need:

• Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano), broken into small 1/2-inch chunks
• Asiago cheese, broken into small 1/2-inch chunks
• Minced garlic
• Black pepper, freshly-ground
• Dried basil
• Green onions, chopped
• Red pepper flakes (omit for less spice)
• Extra-virgin olive oil

Place Parmesan and Asiago cheese chunks into a food processor; process about 10 seconds or until cheese breaks into small granules.

Add garlic, pepper, basil, green onions, pepper flakes, and olive oil to the bowl of a food processor; process until mixed in.

Transfer the topping to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to a week. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Yields a scant 1 cup. If you have any leftover, serve it with crusty bread, crackers or vegetables

How to Make Parmesan Asiago Salad

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse the pasta. Make sure it is completely cooled before adding the cheese spread or vegetables.

Once the pasta is cooled, add the parmesan asiago spread and olive oil. Stir until the pasta is well coated.

Slowly mix in your vegetables and chopped olives. Add salt and pepper to taste.

I prefer to make this ahead of time and let the flavors blend together for at least 2 hours before serving. If you don’t have that much time, though, it’s okay. It will still be delicious!

Variations on Parmesan Asiago Salad

The reason this is my new go to salad side dish is because of its versatility. There are several ways to switch up the pasta salad recipe without losing any of the flavor.

Add a bit of protein such as tuna or grilled chicken to make it into a hearty meal.

Switch the pasta shapes or experiment with veggie, chickpea, or buckwheat pasta.

Another way to diversify asiago pasta salad is to swap the vegetables. The salad gets most of its flavor from the spread. Use the vegetables you have on hand or that are in season. Shredded carrots, chopped broccoli or sliced zucchini would all work.

How to Store Pasta Salad

This salad gets better with time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

What to Serve with Asiago Pasta Salad?

Another reason I love this easy pasta salad recipe is because it goes with other dishes so well. Grilled chicken or meatloaf and a green salad are a perfect accompaniment.

Asiago salad also goes great with a BBQ brisket, burgers, hotdogs and ribs. Amp up the Mediterranean flavors with a Delicious Greek Steak Shish Kabob Sandwich.

More Side Dishes You’ll Love

• 15 Grilled Fruit & Vegetable Recipes
• Kale Apple Salad with Pomegranates and Pecans
• Pepper Jack Mashed Potatoes
• Irresistible Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan and Bacon