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Italian Antipasto Platter

An easy guide to making an Italian antipasto platter with cold meats, cheeses and marinated vegetables. This appetizer is perfect for entertaining and simple to customize!

Overflowing vibrant charcuterie boards and platters are my favorite when hosting guests. They feed a crowd and are the perfect showpiece!

Antipasto platter on a wooden board.
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A Little Bit of Everything!

This antipasto platter is everything you love about charcuterie board ideas but with a delicious Italian twist. Loaded with cured meats, marinated cheese, and pickled vegetables, this tray is always so popular when I lay it out for guests!

Once you get the hang of this one, you’ll probably be hooked like I am, and you’ll want to start making all kinds of appetizer platters! For a Mediterranean vibe, try my mezze platter, or a nice cheese and fruit platter makes a great vegetarian option.

What is Antipasto?

Antipasto is traditionally the first course of an Italian meal meant to get the appetite juices flowing. I don’t know about you, but just looking at pictures of a beautiful Italian antipasto platter does this for me!

The secret to a great platter is to mix and match the meats, cheese, and vegetables so you have a variety of flavors and textures. Part of the appeal of an antipasto plate is that it’s so beautiful to look at!

Serve this platter or these mini antipasto skewers to kick off a feast of Italian recipes and your guests will love it! Or for a quick fix, prepare this antipasto salad to enjoy the flavors all in one bowl.

Ingredients for Antipasto Platter

The beauty of creating an Italian antipasto platter is that you can customize it to your tastes. You can follow my suggestions below or go ahead and make it your own!

Antipasto platter ingredients on countertop.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Platter: I used a large wooden cutting board, but any large-sized platter or plate will work.
  • Dip: I like to make an olive oil dip drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Just combine some oil with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt and drizzle over the vinegar. Simple and delicious!
  • Vegetables: I like mixed olives (with the pits removed!), roasted red peppers, marinated artichokes, pepperoncini peppers, and pickled asparagus.
  • Cheese: Marinated bocconcini, (small mozzarella balls), cubed provolone, sliced Parmigiano Reggiano, and cubed asiago.
  • Meat: Thin slices of pepperoni, Genoa salami, mortadella, and prosciutto.
  • Crackers: Water crackers, thinly sliced baguette, and mini breadsticks.

Substitutions and Variations

As I mentioned, you can really take this antipasto plate and jazz it up however you like! Sticking to the Italian theme, here are some other ideas you might want to check out:

  • Dips: Olive tapenade, caponata, basil pesto
  • Vegetables: Stuffed cherry peppers (peppadews), marinated olives, marinated mushrooms, pickled green beans, giardiniera (Italian relish of pickled vegetables), capers
  • Meat: Soppressata, coppa, anchovies
  • Cheese: Panino (mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto), gouda, marinated feta, gorgonzola
  • Bread or crackers: Add flatbread, butter crackers, Triscuits, ciabatta, or make this naan, pita bread or breadstick recipe.

How to Make an Italian Antipasto Platter

This step is where you can really let your creativity shine! The idea is to make your Italian antipasto platter visually appealing, as well as delicious!

Wooden board with white bowls on top.
  • Make the dip: In a small serving bowl, stir together olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt, then drizzle in the balsamic vinegar.
  • Put veggies in bowls: Grab some individual small serving bowls and add the olives, red peppers, and marinated mozzarella balls.
  • Arrange the small bowls on a large platter, allowing enough space for the meat, cheese, and vegetables to surround them. Place the pepperoni and salami on opposite ends of the platter, fanning the slices slightly outward (if space allows).
  • Add the mortadella and prosciutto, either folded or in piles, away from the other meat. Position the cheese around the meat.
  • Fill in bare spots. Arrange the artichokes, pepperoncini, and asparagus in individual piles between the meat and cheese. Finally, add the crackers and bread in any empty spaces (or on another serving board if there isn’t enough room).
Wooden board with meats and cheese on top.

Expert Tips

  • Buy thinly pre-sliced meats to save time on slicing the meat at home.
  • Keep things bite-sized to make it easy for your guests to eat.
  • Lay the bigger items on the board first, like the bowls, and build the smaller items around them, being sure to fill in any blank spaces. 
  • Fill in the gaps. You want your antipasto platter to look full and bountiful. Make sure that all the gaps are filled. Sometimes I throw on some cherry tomatoes to cover any bare areas and give a pop of color. 
  • Set out plenty of toothpicks or small forks to make it easier for your guests to eat any marinated items or those dipped in oil.
Antipasto platter with a pepperoni flower.

Recipe FAQs

Should antipasto be served cold?

The majority of antipasto is served cold which is great because you can prepare your antipasto platter and hold it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it.

Is charcuterie the same as antipasto?

They start with a similar idea but they’re not exactly the same! Traditionally, both platters typically have cured cold meats and from there, an antipasto platter focuses more on Italian ingredients, whereas a charcuterie board can include other kinds of foods.

Nowadays, people use the term ‘charcuterie’ to describe all kinds of food platters including fruit, vegetable, and desserts.

Can you make an Italian antipasto platter in advance?

Yes, you can! Assemble the platter (minus the bread and crackers because they can go soft in the fridge) and cover it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Remove 20 minutes before serving and then add the bread and crackers.

What can I do with leftovers?

Store the leftovers in the fridge and use them to make salads, sandwiches, or small snack trays for lunches.

Storing 

Cover the platter (minus bread or crackers) with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the bread and crackers separate so they don’t go stale in the fridge.

Antipasto platter on wooden board.

Looking for more fun platter ideas? Try this fruit and veggie platter, fruit platter, or rainbow fruit platter.

More Easy Appetizers

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Antipasto platter on a wooden board.

Italian Antipasto Platter

5 from 8 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Learn how to make this easy no-cook Italian Antipasto platter. Loaded with cold meats, cheese, and marinated vegetables, it’s the perfect small-bites dish for entertaining a crowd. Quick to put together and simple to customize, you’ll enjoy making this platter again and again!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Video

Equipment

  • Large platter or wooden board

Ingredients 

Vegetables

  • 4 ounces olive mix , pitted
  • 6 ounces roasted red peppers
  • 8 ounces marinated artichokes
  • 8 ounces pepperoncini peppers
  • 10 ounces pickled asparagus

Cheese

  • 1 cup small mozzarella balls (bocconcini) , marinated
  • 6 ounces provolone , cubed
  • 6 ounces Parmigiano Reggiano , sliced
  • 6 ounces asiago , cubed

Meat

  • 8 ounces pepperoni , sliced
  • 8 ounces Genoa salami , sliced
  • 8 ounces mortadella , sliced
  • 8 ounces prosciutto , sliced

Bread or Crackers

  • 4 ounces water crackers
  • 1 baguette , thinly sliced
  • 12 mini breadsticks

Instructions

  • In individual small serving bowls, add the olives, red peppers, and mozzarella balls.
  • To make the platter, start by thinking how you want it to look before placing anything. Then arrange each bowl, allowing enough space for meat, cheese, and vegetables to surround them, on a large platter.
  • Place the pepperoni and salami on opposite ends of the platter, fanning the slices slightly outward (if space allows). Add the mortadella and prosciutto, either folded or in piles, away from the other meat. Position the cheese around the meat. Arrange the artichokes, pepperoncini, and asparagus in individual piles between the meat and cheese. Finally, add the crackers and bread in any empty spaces (or on another serving board if there isn't enough room).

Notes

Variations: 
  • Dips: balsamic glaze, olive tapenade, caponata, pesto
  • Vegetables: stuffed cherry peppers (peppadews), marinated olives, marinated mushrooms, pickled green beans, giardiniera (Italian relish of pickled vegetables), capers
  • Meat: soppressata, coppa, anchovies
  • Cheese: panino (mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto), gouda, marinated feta, gorgonzola
  • Bread or crackers: flatbread, butter crackers, Triscuit, ciabatta
Make-ahead: Assemble the platter (minus the bread and crackers) and cover in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Remove 20 minutes before serving. Add bread and crackers. 
Storage: Cover the platter (minus bread or crackers) with plastic wrap and store in the fridge up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 588kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 2225mg | Potassium: 362mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 911IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 518mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian

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