Best 3 Hero Pasta Salad Recipes

In the realm of culinary artistry, few dishes capture the essence of summer's bounty quite like the hero pasta salad. This delectable dish, often served as a refreshing companion to grilled meats or as a standalone lunch option, offers a vibrant symphony of flavors, textures, and colors. Whether you prefer a classic macaroni salad, a Mediterranean-inspired creation brimming with sun-kissed vegetables, or a hearty whole-grain delight, the hero pasta salad has a variation to suit every palate. With an array of ingredients that can be customized to your liking, it's no wonder this dish has earned its place as a summertime staple. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the secrets of crafting the perfect hero pasta salad, exploring various recipes, ingredient combinations, and presentation techniques to elevate your culinary skills and impress your friends and family.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

HERO PASTA SALAD

Hero Pasta Salad image

Hide this salad until serving time, or you might be surprised to find it gone! Try adding kalamata olives, peppers or yellow tomatoes. Be creative. -Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 small garlic cloves, minced
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
SALAD:
2 cups uncooked spiral pasta
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
3/4 cup sliced pepperoncini
4 ounces cubed provolone cheese
2 ounces thinly sliced deli ham, cut into strips (2/3 cup)
2 ounces thinly sliced hard salami, cut into strips (2/3 cup)
5 cups shredded lettuce
1 large tomato, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Steps:

In a small bowl, whisk the first five ingredients until blended. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water., In a large bowl, combine onion, pepperoncini, cheese, meats and pasta. Just before serving, add lettuce and tomatoes. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 313 calories, Fat 16g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 27mg cholesterol, Sodium 553mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 14g protein.

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

ITALIAN-HERO CHOPPED SALAD

Italian-Hero Chopped Salad image

This versatile lunch salad works well with whatever meats you have on hand. It's an Italian take on the chopped salad with spicy marinated vegetables and garlic-ciabatta croutons. The croutons and dressing can be made ahead and will stay fresh up to a week. Pack everything in a resealable container and you're ready to go.

Provided by Lauryn Tyrell

Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Turkey Recipes

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 cup cubed ciabatta
1 small clove garlic, minced
Provolone, finely grated (enough to coat ciabatta)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Hoagie spread, such as Cento Diced Hot Cherry Pepper Hoagie Pepper Spread
Mixed greens, such as radicchio, endive, and arugula
Sliced roast turkey, salami, provolone, celery, and store-bought giardiniera (marinated vegetables)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss ciabatta with garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, and enough finely grated provolone to coat lightly and evenly; season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Bake until crisp and golden, about 10 minutes.
Stir together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and mayonnaise. Add hoagie spread, salt, and pepper to taste and stir to combine.
Pack mixed greens in a resealable container with sliced roast turkey, salami, provolone, celery, and giardiniera. Pack dressing and croutons separately. Toss to combine just before eating.

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make your pasta salad shine. Look for ripe vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a good-quality olive oil.
Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking the pasta until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won't hold up well in a pasta salad.
Don't overdress the salad: A little bit of dressing goes a long way. Too much dressing will make the salad soggy and bland. Start with a small amount of dressing and add more as needed.
Let the salad chill before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up. Serve the salad cold or at room temperature.
Add some fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano can add a pop of flavor and color to your pasta salad.

Conclusion:

With its endless variations and customizable ingredients, pasta salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed by everyone. Whether you're looking for a light and refreshing side dish or a hearty main course, there's a pasta salad recipe out there for you. So get creative, experiment with different ingredients, and enjoy the delicious results!