Name: Hot Honey Pepperoni Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Ingredients: 2/3 cup mini pepperoni; 3 cups cooked pasta; 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes (sliced in half); 3/4 cup mozzarella balls (or cubed mozzarella); 1/2 cup arugula; 1 tablespoon fresh basil (chopped); 1/2 cup olive oil; 3 tablespoons honey; Juice of 1/2 lemon; 1 teaspoon chili crunch; 1/2 teaspoon oregano; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; Salt; Pepper

This Hot Honey Pepperoni Pasta Salad is an easy high-protein pasta salad with spicy pepperoni, mozzarella, crisp vegetables, and a sweet and spicy hot honey dressing.

I have to confess something to you. When I was deep in the trenches of diet culture, I thought I didn’t like pasta.

Let me reiterate: I told myself that I didn’t like pasta.

I don’t know if it was that it’s a carbohydrate or just a food I had deemed “bad” (FYI, no food is bad!), but I really convinced myself that I didn’t like it.

There were other foods – sadly – in this camp too: bagels, burgers, and of course, any full-fat dairy.

But the pasta still gets me. Because who doesn’t like pasta?!

Now, as dietitian with well over a decade of experience helping people who struggle the way I once did, I love pasta in so many different shapes and forms.

A hearty bolognese? Delicious on a cold day. Spaghetti with meatballs? One of my favorite easy meals.

And when it’s warm outside, I absolutely love a pasta salad.

Not only is pasta actually a very nutritious food – it’s a whole grain that’s often fortified with important vitamins! – but also it’s just so versatile.

Pasta salad especially can be so satisfying when done right. Add different flavors and textures, a mix of vegetables, some cheese, of course, and a delicious dressing, and you’ve got a simple cold weather meal that’s so good.

Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Pepperoni Pasta Salad

This Hot Honey Pepperoni Pasta salad specifically is pretty amazing.

It’s made with a spiral pasta – any curly or spiral shape to really absorb the dressing.

For vegetables, it has arugula and cherry tomatoes – both perfect for summer and a great way to add antioxidants, fiber, and flavor.

Additionally, this pasta salad has baked pepperoni and mozzarella balls. The two add such a delicious flavor.

The dressing is the star though. The hot honey dressing is a mix of spicy and sweet that ties everything together so nicely.

My past diet culture self would be shocked. This pasta salad is full of nutrition – protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

But most importantly, it just makes an amazing, simple, and satisfying summer meal.

I love to make this as a make ahead recipe for a few lunches for the week. It’s also the perfect dish to serve to a crowd or bring when someone’s entertaining.

No matter how you enjoy it, I just know you’re going to love it.

How To Make Hot Honey Pepperoni Pasta Salad

Preheat the oven

Prepare all of your ingredients for this Hot Honey Pepperoni Pasta Salad.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Bake the pepperoni

Spread the pepperoni on foil-lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Prepare the dressing

Prepare the hot honey dressing. Add all dressing ingredients to a large jar with a lid. Shake well until combined (alternatively, you can also add ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine).

Assemble the salad

In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, pepperoni, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, arugula, and basil.

Add the dressing

Pour the dressing on top and toss to combine.

Garnish

Garnish Hot Honey Pepperoni Pasta Salad with additional basil.

Serve

Serve this refreshing and delicious Hot Honey Pepperoni Pasta Salad for lunch or dinner.

If You Love This Hot Honey Pepperoni Pasta Salad, Try These

Loaded Italian Pasta Salad: Similar Italian flavors in another delicious pasta salad.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad: Every summer needs a pasta salad that includes seasonal corn.
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Kale: Roast and blend red peppers to make the most delicious sauce for this pasta.
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta: In the fall, this pumpkin pasta is a staple!
Spicy Peanut Noodles: A totally different flavor profile, but another delicious simple pasta that’s perfect when the weather’s warm.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Mini pepperoni: I love mini pepperoni in recipe because it matches the size of the other pasta salad components. You can use a regular pepperoni, although you may also want to switch to a bigger shape pasta too.
Pasta: I used radiatori pasta – it’s a small, curly shape. I recommend any curly or spiral pasta to really absorb the dressing and its flavor.
Cherry tomatoes: You can use either cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half.
Mozzarella: Look for small mozzarella balls or pearls. You can also cut the mozzarella into small cubes.
Arugula: Arugula is the best green for this pasta salad as it’s hearty and holds up even when dressed. If needed, you can also use kale.
Olive oil: Olive oil is the base of the dressing.
Honey: A little honey adds a touch of sweetness that helps balance the spice in the dressing.
Lemon: Lemon acts as the acid in the dressing to tie everything together.
Chili crunch: This is the one I use – it adds the spice and a little goes a long way! Add less for a slightly less spicy salad. This little jar is amazing – because you only need so little at a time, it will last a long time!