Best 2 Christmas Pasta Salad Recipes

Christmas pasta salad is a festive and flavorful dish that adds a special touch to your holiday celebrations. Bursting with an array of colors and textures, this delectable salad combines the goodness of pasta, a medley of vegetables, delectable meats, tangy dressings, and a burst of herbs and spices. As you mix and match different ingredients, you create a harmonious balance of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more. Whether you're hosting a jolly Christmas party or seeking a potluck-worthy dish, this ultimate guide to the best Christmas pasta salad recipes will provide you with an assortment of culinary creations that are sure to impress your family and friends.

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

CHRISTMAS PASTA SALAD

Christmas Pasta Salad image

The orzo in this salad is reminiscent of pine needles and when dressed in pesto brings a lovely green hue. Perlini mozzarella balls become ornaments, as do cherry tomatoes and ribbons of basil and pepperoni. I do not add salt as I find the pepperoni and pesto to be ample enough. Additional toppings to consider are slivers of red onion, black olives, and diced green bell pepper. I don't like balsamic vinegar, thus the lemon juice.

Provided by thedailygourmet

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 8h35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked orzo pasta
⅓ cup pesto, or to taste
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
4 ounces mozzarella cheese balls or pearls
¼ cup sliced pepperoni, cut into strips
3 large fresh basil leaves, julienned

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
Add pesto and lemon juice to the orzo; toss to coat. Mix in tomatoes, mozzarella cheese balls, and pepperoni strips. Refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight.
Mix in basil right before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330.8 calories, Carbohydrate 43.8 g, Cholesterol 19.9 mg, Fat 11 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 14.7 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 288.8 mg, Sugar 2.5 g

CHRISTMAS PASTA SALAD

Christmas Pasta Salad image

Thanks to its festive colors, this pasta salad will shine bright on your holiday table. For the vibrant green dressing, we jazzed up traditional basil pesto with spinach and almonds. A couple tablespoons of white wine vinegar go into the whole dish for extra tang. The pesto can be made three days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories side-dish

Time 35m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

Kosher salt
2 heads broccoli (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into florets
1 pound mezze rigatoni or other short tubular pasta
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan (about 1 ounce)
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves
Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, plus more for serving
2 roasted red peppers, drained and sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and thinly sliced
8 ounces small mozzarella balls (or pearls)
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Steps:

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Fill a large bowl with cold water. Drop the broccoli into the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender and bright green, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and plunge into the cold water to stop the cooking. Let sit until cool, then drain and set aside.
Return the water in the pot to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to the package directions for al dente. Drain in a colander and transfer to a large bowl. Toss the pasta with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil to coat evenly and refrigerate until cooled completely, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, add the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil to a blender with the spinach, Parmesan, almonds, basil, lemon juice, chives and 1/4 cup water and puree until completely smooth. Pour the pesto over top of the pasta and add the reserved broccoli, red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt. Toss gently until well combined. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with more chopped chives. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.

Tips:

Choose the right pasta: Short, sturdy pastas like penne, rotini, or bow-tie pasta work best for pasta salad because they can hold up well to being tossed and coated in dressing.
Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking the pasta until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. Al dente pasta will hold its shape better in the salad and won't get mushy.
Rinse the pasta with cold water: This will stop the cooking process and help the pasta to cool down quickly. Rinsing the pasta will also help to remove any excess starch, which can make the salad gummy.
Use a variety of vegetables: Vegetables add color, crunch, and flavor to pasta salad. Some good choices for Christmas pasta salad include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Don't overdress the salad: A little bit of dressing goes a long way in pasta salad. Too much dressing will make the salad soggy and greasy.
Chill the salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and will make the salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Christmas pasta salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any holiday gathering. With its festive colors and flavors, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy holiday recipe, give Christmas pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!