This antipasto platter is a combination of Italian meats, cheeses, vegetables and breads, all arranged to create a fabulous appetizer display. The perfect showpiece for any gathering, and it takes just minutes to put together!
When I’m entertaining, I like to put out a variety of snack options including mini pizzas, little smokies and this impressive looking antipasto tray. The best part about this platter is that it feeds a large crowd and can be customized to your tastes!
While I love this Italian platter, if you want to try some other flavors take a look at my savory cheese board my best ever charcuterie board. I even have holiday spreads like my Thanksgiving charcuterie board and my Halloween charcuterie board. Mix and match from these boards for your ultimate platter!
What is antipasto?
Antipasto is traditionally thought of as the first course of an Italian meal, and contains an assortment of cold items such as cured meats, cheeses, olives and vegetables. The contents of an antipasto offering can vary depending on what region of Italy you’re in. This dish is typically served as a family style platter rather than a passed appetizer.
How do you make an antipasto platter?
Start by collecting your favorite varieties of cured meats, Italian cheese, marinated beans, pickled or roasted vegetables and olives. Arrange the items on a large platter. You can add bowls of dips and spreads such as bruschetta or olive tapenade. Finally, add an assortment of bread options such as breadsticks or sliced focaccia. Garnish with fresh herbs, then serve and enjoy.
Antipasto Platter ingredients
There’s no wrong way to make an antipasto platter, here are some great options to get you started!
- Meats: Offer a selection of cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, coppa, capicola and sopressata. You can also use prosciutto and mozzarella cheese rolls for a unique touch.
- Cheese: Some great cheese options include fresh mozzarella balls, gorgonzola, parmigiano reggiano, asiago or fontina. I like to marinate my mozzarella balls in olive oil, fresh herbs and red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Vegetables: I like to use an assortment of fresh, roasted and pickled veggies. Some of my favorites include roasted red bell peppers, grilled eggplant, pepperoncini, cherry peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, grilled or marinated mushrooms, roasted tomatoes pickled garlic cloves and crudites such as cucumber, cherry tomatoes and carrots. I also like to add a bowl of marinated beans if I can find them in the deli section.
- Olives: I visit my grocery store’s olive bar and purchase an assortment of black and green olives.
- Bread: You can include fresh bread options such as baguette or ciabatta slices, hard breadsticks, crostini or flatbread.
- Extras: Mix things up with some unexpected additions like almonds, figs or fresh berries.
Is charcuterie the same as antipasto?
Charcuterie is similar to antipasto in that both items contain cured meats. That being said, antipasto platters typically stay within the realm of Italian ingredients, whereas charcuterie may include ingredients from other regions of the world. Charcuterie boards traditionally consist primarily of meat and cheese, where the Italian antipasto also contains a lot of veggies.
Make ahead directions
The great thing about this platter is that you can assemble it in advance, tightly cover and chill, then take it out of the refrigerator right before your guests arrive. I recommend assembling your platter no more than 8 hours in advance. You can add everything to the platter except the bread, as it is more likely to become stale in the fridge. Remove your platter from the fridge about 20 minutes before you plan to serve it to take the chill off.
This is a no-cook appetizer that is SO easy and fun. It’s a beautiful addition to any gathering, and happens to taste just as good as it looks!
More amazing appetizer options
Antipasto Platter Video
Antipasto Platter
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds assorted cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, pepperoni and coppa
- 1 pound cheese sliced or cubed, such as provolone or asiago
- 1 cup small mozzarella balls bocconcini, plain or marinated in olive oil and herbs
- 1 cup olives
- 2 cups grilled and/or pickled vegetables such as pepperoncini, roasted red peppers, marinated artichokes, marinated beans
- 1 cup raw vegetables cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, cucumber
- 2-3 cups assorted breads focaccia, breadsticks, crostini
- fresh herbs for garnish
- sauces such as bruschetta or olive tapenade optional
Instructions
- Arrange all the ingredients on a large platter. If using the sauces, place them in small bowls. Garnish with fresh herbs, then serve.
- If you want to make this dish ahead of time, assemble everything on the platter except the bread products and fresh herbs. Cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Remove from the refrigerator, uncover, and add bread and herbs. Let stand for 20 minutes, then serve.
Can’t wait to try this! Even when our kids were little, they loved “pick plate,” which was basically cheese, pepperoni or salami, grapes, carrot and celery sticks, and crackers. They loved that they could just pick what they wanted and eat as much or as little as they wanted of any item. Now that they are all grown up, I’ve “upscaled” the pick plate offerings to reflect more adult taste buds. I think this will be a huge hit!
Following your easy directions my platter came out looking very good!
Amazing platter! Mine came out looking so good beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration! Your Blog rocks!
Fantastic platter, loved that I could make it earlier in the day!
I was able to find similar things at the deli counter. Used your picture to make it look good!
This looks so good. I canโt wait to try it!
I am drooling looking at all of your photos. I think I’m going to make this tonight to nosh on. Easy with the kids running around and just grabbing whatever they want. Love it!
I’ve made many cheese and meat platters…a few antipasto platters…and other appetizer platters… made balsamic jelly, fresh ground maple mustard, and of course marinated olives…but you really took it one extra step with these awesome marinated beans, mushrooms, and fresh mozzarella! These are so incredible! Definitely on my list for my next party!
This is so pretty! Great for the upcoming Holidays!
Such a fantastic antipasto platter!! Everyone will really enjoy this!
This antipasto platter is making me hungry! It looks absolutely amazing!
This antipasto platter is seriously making me hungry!
Perfect for parties and get togethers. Everyone will love it!
These are my favorite to make! I make one when we have company over! I can’t wait to make one again soon!
I love making these for my family to nosh on before dinner on Saturdays so they don’t get hangry. They’re always a hit!