Best 4 Awesome Pasta Salad Recipes

Pasta salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a side or main course, for lunch or dinner. With its endless variations, there's a pasta salad recipe for every taste. From classic Italian recipes with fresh vegetables and tangy dressings to hearty American salads loaded with meat and cheese, the possibilities are endless. In this article, we'll explore some of the best pasta salad recipes from around the world, offering a variety of flavors and ingredients to suit every palate.

Let's cook with our recipes!

AWESOME HAM PASTA SALAD

Awesome Ham Pasta Salad image

I never seem to make enough of this salad. When people see the recipe, they look at me as if I am a little odd...but when they eat it they can't seem to stop! This recipe is great for kids and adults alike. The garlic is optional. Also, to lighten up the salad, substitute light mayonnaise, light sour cream, and turkey ham.

Provided by Karena

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 27m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

8 ounces ziti pasta
1 pound cooked ham, cubed
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 large red onion, coarsely chopped
15 small sweet pickles, chopped, juice reserved
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
2 ½ teaspoons beef bouillon granules
1 tablespoon white vinegar
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a large bowl, mix together the drained pasta, ham, peppers, onion, pickles and tomatoes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, beef bouillon granules, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic and 1/2 cup of reserved pickle juice. Fold into the salad and toss gently until evenly coated. Chill overnight to allow the flavors to blend. Serve near room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 696.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.9 g, Cholesterol 64.8 mg, Fat 48.2 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 21.3 g, SaturatedFat 12.1 g, Sodium 1746.7 mg, Sugar 11.3 g

AWESOME PASTA SALAD

Awesome Pasta Salad image

This is the best pasta salad I've ever eaten, and people request it frequently. It's a very easy, light-tasting side dish for a picnic or dinner.

Provided by Irlandes

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package fusilli (spiral) pasta
3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
½ pound provolone cheese, cubed
½ pound salami, cubed
¼ pound sliced pepperoni, cut in half
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 (10 ounce) can black olives, drained
1 (4 ounce) jar pimentos, drained
1 (8 ounce) bottle Italian salad dressing

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
In a large bowl, combine pasta with tomatoes, cheese, salami, pepperoni, green pepper, olives, and pimentos. Pour in salad dressing, and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 309.7 calories, Carbohydrate 25.9 g, Cholesterol 31.4 mg, Fat 17.7 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 12.9 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 913.2 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

AWESOME BOW TIE PASTA SALAD

Awesome Bow Tie Pasta Salad image

This is a very light salad. You can substitute cherry tomatoes for the chopped. If you like, you can add black olives.

Provided by Fluffy

Categories < 15 Mins

Time 15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package bow tie pasta
2 green onions, chopped
1 (6 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and place in ice water until cool.
Toss pasta with onion, feta, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and tomato.
Chill for 1 to 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 361.5, Fat 14.2, SaturatedFat 5, Cholesterol 68, Sodium 270.6, Carbohydrate 46.3, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 5.7, Protein 11.8

AWESOME PASTA SALAD! RECIPE - (4.4/5)

Awesome Pasta Salad! Recipe - (4.4/5) image

Provided by Becky Jo

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package fusilli (spiral) pasta
3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 pound provolone cheese, cubed
1/2 pound salami, cubed
1/4 pound sliced pepperoni, cut in half
1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 (10-ounce) can black olives, drained
1 (4-ounce) jar pimentos, drained
1 (8-ounce) bottle Italian salad dressing

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain, and rinse with cold water. In a large bowl, combine pasta with tomatoes, cheese, salami, pepperoni, green pepper, olives, and pimentos. Pour in salad dressing and toss to coat.

Tips:

Use a variety of pasta shapes and sizes for a more interesting texture.
Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
Rinse the pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking together.
Use a variety of fresh vegetables for a colorful and flavorful salad.
Chop the vegetables into small pieces so they are easy to eat.
Use a light and flavorful dressing. A vinaigrette or pesto dressing is a good option.
Add some protein to the salad, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
Garnish the salad with fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, or cilantro.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a side dish. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will enjoy. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these pasta salad recipes a try.