Antipasto is the perfect start to any meal, and it’s an easy, delicious way to impress your family and friends. A tasty combination of cured meats, cheeses, olives, veggies, and other assorted goodies… it’s a flavor explosion in every bite!

You know how there are some foods that are just packed with flavor? Foods that may be small… but actually pack a huge punch? Like olives… and peppers… and salami… and cheese? Well. This is FULL of them.

I think it’s one of the things I love most about it. The fact that a little bit goes a long way. The fact that your taste buds are in for SUCH a treat!

Of course, any good antipasto platter is balanced out with milder options like bread and almonds and roasted veggies. But big flavor is the undeniable trademark. Antipasto is not for the faint of heart!

So. Are you still with me? Let’s get started!

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

🍅 What is antipasto?

Antipasto (plural antipasti) is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. The word “antipasto” comes from the Latin root anti, which means before, and pastus, which means meal. Many compare it to hors d’oeuvres, but it’s actually served at the table and signifies the official beginning of the meal.

Common ingredients include cured meats, olives, pepperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses, and vegetables in oil or vinegar.

🧀 What I used on this platter

Cheeses –

Bel Gioioso Marinated Mozzarella
Santori Parmesan
Bel Gioioso Aged Provolone

Meats –

Applegate Prosciutto
Applegate Uncured Peppered Genoa Salami
Colombus Italian Dry Salame
Fiorucci Antipasti Prosciutto with Mozzarella

Veggies –

Mezzetta Sweet Cherry Peppers
Reese Marinated Artichoke Hearts
Cento Roasted Red Peppers
Vigo Marinated Mushrooms
DiVina Marinated Olives
Mezzetta Kalamata Olives
Fresh cherry tomatoes

Extras –

Marcona almonds
Fresh baguette
Giardiniera
Barilla Pesto
Italian breadsticks
Crackers

📍 How to assemble your platter

Start with the platter: Antipasto is typically arranged on a large plate or platter. You can also use a cutting board, cheese board, or any serving tray you may have.

Select the cheeses: Try to include a variety of Italian cheeses with different flavors and textures. They are often grouped by country at the grocery store, and/or it should be labeled on the package.

Add some cured meats: Prosciutto, salami, sopressata, or mortadella are all delicious options.

Add some veggies: Traditional antipasto includes olives, artichokes, roasted red peppers, pepperoncinis, marinated mushrooms, and some type of tomatoes.

Add some extras: Some of our favorites are capers, tapenade, giardiniera, pesto, anchovies, and almonds.

Offer a variety of breads: Sliced or torn baguette, bread sticks, and crackers are all good options.

Finish it off with some garnishes: I like to use fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, or thyme. Not only do they look beautiful… but they’re also a delicious addition to the other ingredients.

🥗 Variations on antipasto

There are countless ways to prepare antipasto, and so many different possibilities of what to include. Sometimes it is prepared on a board or platter, while other times it’s served as an antipasto salad. Here are some additional ideas for how to make yours!

Add any of the following: toasted baguette slices, pepperoncini, anchovies, sliced cucumbers, sliced bell peppers
Switch up your cheese selection with any of the following: blue cheese, burrata, asiago, or fontina
Include olive tapenade or capers
Include fresh grilled or roasted vegetables
Add various dried fruits

🌡 Storage tips

When assembling an antipasto platter, I would definitely recommend saving the jars, packages, and containers for storage. The easiest way to store leftovers is right in their original packaging. Of course, if you happen to lose track of it you can always transfer the ingredients to separate containers and store them in the refrigerator for later use.

🥪 Related recipes

Italian flavors are some of the most classic, well-loved flavors… and you can incorporate them into a variety of different recipes. These are some of our FAVORITE Italian-inspired recipes that we hope you’ll love, too!