Best 2 Best Potluck Pasta Salad Recipes

Are you looking for a delicious and easy pasta salad recipe to bring to your next potluck? Look no further! In this article, we will guide you through the steps to create the perfect potluck pasta salad. From choosing the right type of pasta to selecting the freshest vegetables, we will provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to make a dish that will impress your friends and family. So, gather your ingredients and let's get started on crafting the best potluck pasta salad ever!

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

ZESTY POTLUCK PASTA SALAD

Zesty Potluck Pasta Salad image

Love to bring home an empty bowl from potlucks? Here's a crowd-size pasta pleaser that almost guarantees an empty bowl.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Side Dish

Time 20m

Yield 14

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

2 boxes Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad® classic pasta salad mix
3 cups frozen broccoli florets
2/3 cup Italian dressing
1/3 cup cold water
2 cups cut-up cooked chicken or ham
1 1/2 cups halved grape tomatoes

Steps:

Empty contents of pasta pouch (from salad mix) into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil uncovered 12 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding broccoli during last 2 minutes of cooking.
Meanwhile, in large bowl, stir contents of seasoning mix packet (from salad mix), the dressing and cold water until blended; set aside.
Drain pasta with broccoli; rinse with cold water. Shake to drain well. Stir pasta with broccoli, chicken and tomatoes into dressing mixture. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 170, Carbohydrate 24 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 660 mg, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 0 g

BEST POTLUCK PASTA SALAD

Best Potluck Pasta Salad image

This is a very good salad for a potluck, serves 16-18 as a side dish and can be made ahead of time; 12 to 24 hours. Chill time not included.

Provided by Barb G.

Categories Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

3 cups rotini pasta or 3 cups other desired pasta (8-ounces)
1 medium summer squash or 1 medium zucchini, halved lenghtwise and sliced (2 cups, you can use both.)
1 cup frozen peas or 1 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
1 medium red pepper, cut into strips
8 ounces smoked cheddar cheese or 8 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
1 (6 ounce) can pitted ripe olives, drained and coarsely chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano or 2 teaspoons basil, crushed
1 cup bottled balsamic vinaigrette or 1 cup red wine vinaigrette dressing

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
Rince with cold water; drain again.
In a large bowl combine, pasta, squash, peas, sweet pepper, cheese, olives tomatoes, onion, and oregano.
Add dressing to pasta mixture; toss gently to coat.
Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours.

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your pasta salad stand out.
Cook the pasta al dente: This will prevent it from becoming mushy when you add the other ingredients.
Let the pasta cool completely before adding the other ingredients: This will help prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Use a variety of vegetables: This will add color, texture, and flavor to your salad.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings: There are many different types of dressings that can be used for pasta salad, so find one that you like best.
Make sure the salad is well-chilled before serving: This will help the flavors meld together and make the salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

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

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