Best 2 Best Italian Pasta Salad Recipes

Pasta salad is a versatile and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light meal. There are endless variations of pasta salad, but they all share a few common ingredients: pasta, vegetables, and a dressing. The type of pasta used can vary, but short, sturdy pastas like penne, rotini, and macaroni are popular choices. Vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and olives are often added, and the dressing can be anything from a simple vinaigrette to a creamy sauce. With so many options to choose from, there is sure to be a pasta salad recipe that will please everyone.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BEST EVER!!!!! ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Best Ever!!!!! Italian Pasta Salad image

Guido's Grandma would be proud of this one! I hope you all enjoy this as much as our family does. Bon A Petit!

Provided by Texas Pete

Categories < 30 Mins

Time 20m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

12 ounces cooked tri color rotini noodles
1 slice smoked deli ham, cut on no. 10 diced
3 slices deli hard salami, cut on no. 10 diced
italian seasoning, any will do. I use (Red monkey Organic grinder-Zest italian, freshly ground to taste.)
16 ounces newman's own family recipe Italian dressing (1 bottle)
15 -20 grape tomatoes, halved
2 scallions, sliced thin (green onion)
1 red bell pepper, diced
14 ounces marinated artichoke hearts, diced
sliced black olives (2 of the small cans)
1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
red wine vinegar (I use just a splash or two)
extra virgin olive oil, if needed
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt (If needed)

Steps:

Cook pasta according to directions.
Rinse in cold water.
Combine pasta, artichoke hearts, olives, onions, and the cheeses, dressing, and rest of veggies, ham and salami; toss and mix well.
Taste to adjust seasoning, vinegar, or EVOO.
Cover and chill pasta salad for at least 2 hours or overnight is best.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 364.3, Fat 19.1, SaturatedFat 5.3, Cholesterol 18.4, Sodium 727.4, Carbohydrate 38.8, Fiber 5.5, Sugar 7.1, Protein 10.9

QUICK ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Quick Italian Pasta Salad image

A quick and flavorful pasta salad with salami and bell peppers.

Provided by Trish

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package tri-color rotini pasta
¾ pound Italian salami, finely diced
½ green bell pepper, sliced
½ red bell pepper, sliced
½ red onion, chopped
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives
8 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
3 (.7 ounce) packages dry Italian-style salad dressing mix, or to taste
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
Combine pasta, salami, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion, salad dressing, olives, and mozzarella cheese in a large bowl. Mix dry salad dressing into pasta; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370.9 calories, Carbohydrate 29.2 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Fat 21 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 15.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 1893.1 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

Tips:

Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better your pasta salad will taste. This is especially true for the vegetables and herbs.
Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente pasta is slightly firm to the bite and will hold up better in a pasta salad. Cook your pasta according to the package directions, but be sure to taste it a few minutes before the recommended cooking time to make sure it's not overcooked.
Let the pasta cool completely before adding the other ingredients: This will help to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
Use a variety of vegetables and herbs: This will give your pasta salad more flavor and texture. Some good choices include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, olives, basil, parsley, and oregano.
Use a flavorful dressing: The dressing is what really brings a pasta salad together. You can use a store-bought dressing or make your own. If you're making your own dressing, be sure to use a good quality olive oil and vinegar.
Chill the pasta salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and will make the pasta salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed all year round. It's perfect for potlucks, picnics, and backyard barbecues. With so many different variations to choose from, there's sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!