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
Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 5m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
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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