Best 5 Moms Traditional Pasta Salad Recipes

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In the realm of comforting and nostalgic dishes, few can rival the allure of mom's traditional pasta salad. This classic dish, often served at family gatherings, picnics, and summer potlucks, holds a special place in our hearts. With its vibrant colors, delightful flavors, and versatile nature, mom's pasta salad is a culinary masterpiece that embodies the essence of home cooking. As we embark on a journey to uncover the best recipe for this beloved dish, let us delve into the secrets of its success, exploring the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and ingredients that make it an unforgettable culinary experience.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

MOM'S SALAD



Mom's Salad image

Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 5m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 heads romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, large diced
1 cucumber, large diced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Steps:

  • Combine the romaine, tomatoes, cucumber and onions in a large bowl.
  • Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, sour cream, oregano and garlic in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette.
  • Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Serve with more freshly cracked black pepper over the top.

MOM'S BEST MACARONI SALAD



Mom's Best Macaroni Salad image

This is, by far, the best macaroni salad I've ever put into my mouth. It has a perfect blend of sweetness and tartness, and it is so pretty with all of the multi-colored veggies. Be ready for this to disappear before you put it on the table! I have six children, and it is all I can do to keep them from nibbling on it while I'm mixing it up!

Provided by Renee Chase

Categories     Salad     Pasta Salad     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 11

16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
4 carrots, shredded
1 large red onion, chopped
½ green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
½ red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups mayonnaise
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup white sugar
½ cup white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water, and drain.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the carrots, red onion, green pepper, red pepper and celery. Mix in the mayonnaise, condensed milk, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add the macaroni, toss gently, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. I usually make this a day ahead of time, and stir it occasionally to blend the flavors. The macaroni will absorb some of the liquid.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 424.2 calories, Carbohydrate 45 g, Cholesterol 18.8 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 6.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 205.4 mg, Sugar 21.7 g

MOM'S YUMMY PASTA SALAD



Mom's Yummy Pasta Salad image

my mom always makes it when we had company over or for a side dish .. it also makes a great summer dish also.. its easy to make and doesnt take very long at all.. just a few ingredients and you are all set. the cool thing about it also is that you dont have to have all the ingredients that i post . you can add your own variety if you choose. but this is how mom always makes it and its the one that i will stick with forever. when i make it at my house its gone in a matter of no time at all.. my husband loves it and always gets seconds and thirds.. sometimes it is our dinner when we are in the mood for something light. hope you can enjoy this as much as my family has!!

Provided by sarah---

Categories     Spring

Time 20m

Yield 6-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (16 ounce) box tri-colored pasta
1 (24 ounce) bottle Italian salad dressing (no specific brand-any works)
1 cucumber, chopped into small chunks
1 (8 ounce) container mushrooms (sliced-preferably fresh not out of a can)
1 (16 ounce) package cherry tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) jar black olives (the olives can be sliced or whole whichever you prefer- i buy the 8 ounce jar and just use half and )
1 (4 ounce) jar green olives
8 ounces monterey jack pepper cheese (cubed)

Steps:

  • cook the pasta , after cooked cool in fridge or over ice.
  • in a medium mixing bowl put italian dressing, cucumber, mushrooms, tomatoes, green and black olives , and cheese.
  • stir the ingredients and let it marinate until your pasta cools.
  • when pasta is cool put pasta in mixing bowl with veggies and dressing.
  • stir.
  • cool in fridge for about an hour or so.
  • eat and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 831.7, Fat 50, SaturatedFat 13.2, Cholesterol 33.6, Sodium 2547.8, Carbohydrate 76.8, Fiber 5.2, Sugar 14.5, Protein 22.1

MOM'S EASY PASTA SALAD



Mom's Easy Pasta Salad image

I like to cook up a package of chicken tenders and add them to this salad for a light supper. Very easy to adapt to your tastes -- take out the veggies you don't like and add the ones you do like. Cook time is chilling time in the fridge.

Provided by Chapstick

Categories     Vegetable

Time 1h15m

Yield 10-15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces pasta (I prefer rotini, but use whatever you like)
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1/2 small red onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup frozen peas
1 (4 ounce) can sliced olives, drained
1 (6 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon dill
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook and drain pasta.
  • Mix with all other ingredients.
  • Chill and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 227.7, Fat 10.5, SaturatedFat 2.2, Cholesterol 7.5, Sodium 495.1, Carbohydrate 27.7, Fiber 3.2, Sugar 4.1, Protein 6.9

MOM'S TRADITIONAL PASTA SALAD



Mom's Traditional Pasta Salad image

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

12 oz Rotini Tri Colored Pasta
1 chopped red pepper
1 chopped green pepper
1 sliced cucumber
1 can of sliced black olives
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 small can of mushrooms
1 small package pepperoni (cut into quarters, or you can use the new mini pepperoni)
8 oz block of marbled cheddar, cut into cubes (any cheese will work)
1 red onion (diced)
16 ounces Italian Dressing (any brand works great)

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta as it directs on the package. Pour cooked pasta into a large bowl. Then add red and green peppers, cucumber, sliced olives, tomatoes, mushrooms, pepperoni, cheese cubes, and onion.
  • Pour Italian dressing on salad (you can use fat-free or low-fat if you want). Mix well. Put salad in fridge for a couple of hours before serving. Stir again before serving. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a good quality pasta will make a big difference in the taste of your salad.
  • Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking it until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and ruin the texture of your salad.
  • Shock the pasta in cold water: This will stop the cooking process and help the pasta retain its shape and texture.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: Different vegetables will add different flavors and textures to your salad. Some good options include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, olives, and artichoke hearts.
  • Choose a flavorful cheese: A good quality Parmesan or Romano cheese will add a lot of flavor to your salad. You can also use a combination of cheeses, such as mozzarella and provolone.
  • Use a light dressing: A heavy dressing will overpower the other flavors in your salad. A simple vinaigrette or olive oil dressing is a good option.
  • Season the salad to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of red wine vinegar to brighten up the flavors.
  • Let the salad marinate: Marinating the salad for at least 30 minutes will allow the flavors to meld together. You can also marinate the salad overnight for a more intense flavor.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It is also a great way to use up leftover pasta and vegetables. 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 pasta salad a try!

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