This Gnocchi Antipasto Salad is a bold mash-up of textures and flavors that takes classic antipasto to the next level. With crispy, pan-seared gnocchi as the star, this hearty salad combines briny olives, creamy mozzarella, savory salami and pepperoni, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and crispy pancetta. Tossed in a vibrant red wine vinaigrette with fresh herbs, it’s the perfect side for a summer BBQ or an easy one-bowl dinner that feels both indulgent and fresh.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 lb. fresh or frozen gnocchi
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
½ cup finely chopped pancetta (about 4 oz.)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely sliced
2 teaspoons fresh oregano, finely chopped
½ cup Castelvetrano olives, halved
½ cup ciliegine or noccioline mozzarella, halved
½ cup finely chopped artichoke hearts (from about 7 oz.)
½ cup quartered pepperoni
½ cup thinly sliced salami (about 3 oz.)
¼ cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Kosher salt, to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook gnocchi until just al dente and floating, about 1–2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet with a slotted spoon.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add pancetta and cook until crispy, about 3–4 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside, leaving fat in the skillet.
In the same skillet, cook the gnocchi in the rendered fat, tossing occasionally, until lightly golden and crisp, 3–4 minutes. Let cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together garlic, red wine vinegar, basil, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil.
Add the gnocchi, olives, mozzarella, artichokes, pepperoni, salami, and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss gently to combine.
Sprinkle the crispy pancetta over the top and serve.

Nutrients

Exact nutrition details not provided by source, but approximate per serving (1 of 6 servings):

Calories: ~450 kcal
Carbohydrates: ~35g
Protein: ~18g
Fat: ~25g
Saturated Fat: ~8g
Fiber: ~3g
Sugar: ~3g
Sodium: ~800mg

Crispy Gnocchi: The Unexpected Star

The key to this salad’s satisfying depth lies in the crispy pan-seared gnocchi. These pillowy dumplings are briefly boiled and then sautéed in olive oil and pancetta fat until they’re golden on the outside and tender on the inside. The result is a gnocchi that’s delightfully crisp, adding a warm, chewy contrast to the cold, marinated elements of the salad. Unlike pasta, which can go soft or limp when served cold, gnocchi holds its own—adding substance and richness to every forkful.

A Balanced Medley of Antipasto Ingredients

What makes this salad shine is the careful balance of savory, briny, creamy, and herby components. Castelvetrano olives bring a mild, buttery saltiness, while sun-dried tomatoes add tangy sweetness and chew. Artichoke hearts offer an earthy bite, and creamy mozzarella balls melt in your mouth with each bite. Cured meats like pepperoni and salami provide that unmistakable richness and boldness that makes antipasto so beloved. A final garnish of crispy pancetta not only adds crunch but also a depth of umami that ties the whole dish together beautifully.

Elevated with a Simple, Zesty Dressing

At the heart of this Gnocchi Antipasto Salad is a vibrant red wine vinaigrette. Whisked together with garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh herbs like basil and oregano, the dressing lifts all the other ingredients with its bright acidity and herbal notes. It cuts through the richness of the meats and cheeses while enhancing the freshness of the olives and vegetables. The garlic adds a gentle heat and bite, while the herbs bring an unmistakably Mediterranean aroma that feels like a summer breeze through an Italian garden.

A Salad That Eats Like a Meal

Unlike lighter green salads that might leave you hungry an hour later, this one-bowl meal is designed to satisfy. With a balanced blend of carbs, protein, and fats, Gnocchi Antipasto Salad is both indulgent and nourishing. Each serving packs approximately 450 calories and 18 grams of protein, making it an excellent choice for a complete lunch or dinner. Whether you’re enjoying it at the table with family or packing it for work the next day, it offers both flavor and fuel to keep you going.

Perfect for Meal Prep and Make-Ahead Meals

This salad isn’t just delicious fresh—it also holds up incredibly well as a make-ahead dish. In fact, letting it chill in the fridge for a few hours allows the flavors to deepen and meld. The vinaigrette soaks into the gnocchi, meats, and veggies, turning every bite into a bold, savory experience. It makes an excellent meal prep option, as it stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to three days. For best results, keep the crispy pancetta separate and sprinkle it over the top just before serving to retain its crunch.

A Crowd-Pleasing Party or Picnic Dish

Gnocchi Antipasto Salad is a showstopper on any table. It’s bold, colorful, and brimming with flavor, making it a favorite for potlucks, picnics, BBQs, and casual dinner parties. Since it can be served cold or at room temperature, it travels well and requires no last-minute fuss. It’s also easy to double the recipe to feed a crowd. Whether served as a side alongside grilled meats or enjoyed as a standalone dish, it adds an elevated touch to any gathering.

Customizable to Fit Your Taste

One of the best features of this salad is its adaptability. Don’t like pepperoni? Use prosciutto or chopped ham. Prefer kalamata olives over Castelvetrano? Swap them in. You can use marinated mozzarella or even feta for a bolder flavor. If you’re vegetarian, simply leave out the cured meats and pancetta and load up on extra artichokes, roasted red peppers, or grilled zucchini. Gluten-free gnocchi works well for those with dietary restrictions, making it an inclusive dish that still tastes amazing.

A Showcase of Texture and Contrast

Texture plays a huge role in the appeal of this dish. The crispy gnocchi and pancetta contrast beautifully with the soft mozzarella and tender artichoke hearts. The briny olives and chewy sun-dried tomatoes provide bite and interest, while the vinaigrette ties all the textures together into one harmonious bowl. Every forkful brings something slightly different, keeping the experience fresh and exciting from start to finish. This thoughtful interplay of textures is what elevates the salad beyond a simple side.

Quick to Make, Impressive to Serve

Despite how gourmet this dish looks and tastes, it comes together in under 30 minutes. Boil the gnocchi, crisp the pancetta, sear the gnocchi in the fat, then toss everything in the dressing. The rest is just chopping and assembling. This makes it a go-to recipe when you want to serve something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for weeknights when you want something more exciting than the usual fare, or when you’re entertaining and want to impress with minimal effort.

Tied Together With Fresh Herbs

Fresh basil and oregano do more than just season this dish—they make it sing. The basil brings sweet, peppery brightness, while oregano adds depth and a faint lemony bite. These herbs elevate the salad from hearty to sophisticated, giving it that fresh-out-of-a-restaurant feel. They also enhance the dressing, making it fragrant and vibrant, complementing every ingredient with a light herbal note that lingers on the palate.

Conclusion

Gnocchi Antipasto Salad is everything you love about Italian-inspired meals—bold flavor, varied textures, rich ingredients—packed into a single, easy-to-make dish. Whether you’re enjoying it as a main meal, serving it as a side at a summer gathering, or prepping it for weekday lunches, this salad delivers big on flavor and satisfaction. With pan-seared gnocchi as the unexpected star, and a mix of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and herbs bringing the Mediterranean magic, this is a recipe you’ll turn to again and again. Indulgent yet fresh, familiar yet inventive, it’s a salad that proves once and for all that hearty and healthy can live happily on the same plate.

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