Hosting a large gathering and looking for a dish that is easy to prepare, flavorful, and perfect for a crowd? Look no further than pasta salad! This versatile dish can be customized to suit any dietary preferences or taste buds, making it a crowd-pleaser at any event. Whether you prefer a classic macaroni salad, a Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts, or a flavorful pesto pasta salad, there's a recipe out there to satisfy everyone.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PASTA SALAD FOR A CROWD
This is my go-to pasta salad recipe for a crowd! It's great for showers, picnics, parties, you name it! My mother-in-law taught me to make it. It is easy and very versatile. Today I made it for an event, and I decided to keep track of the measurements so that it could be shared with others who may need a large crowd pasta salad recipe. Hope you enjoy! Better when refrigerated overnight.
Provided by KLATIME
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 70
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
- While pasta is boiling, steam broccoli, one bag at a time, in a microwave per directions on the package, 4 to 6 minutes.
- Rinse cooked pasta in a colander until completely cool. Return to the pot. Add broccoli, tomatoes, salad dressing, Cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well. Refrigerate until chilled, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Serve cold.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 141.3 calories, Carbohydrate 17.2 g, Cholesterol 6.8 mg, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.7 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 353.9 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
EASY PASTA SALAD FOR A CROWD
Spinach, peppers and onions mingle with tangy feta cheese in this simple pasta salad. Feel free to make it ahead of time, so it's ready when you are.-Jacquelyn Saintjohn, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 13 servings (3/4 cup each).
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients., Drain pasta and rinse in cold water; add to the spinach mixture. Toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.
Nutrition Facts :
CLASSIC PASTA SALAD (FOR A CROWD)
This classic pasta salad is made with a tri-color rotini, filled with vegetables and cheeses, and coated in a scratch-made vinaigrette. The perfect recipe to feed a crowd.
Provided by Heather
Categories Side Dish
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is room temperature. Place pasta in a large bowl.
- Add cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, onion, bell pepper, mozzarella, parmesan, and olives to the bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, add olive oil, vinegar, italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Pour vinaigrette over pasta salad, then toss to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Pasta salad will keep for 3-4 days, refrigerated in a sealed container. Pasta WILL continue to soak up the dressing the longer it sits, so it may need a splash of olive oil and vinegar if it has been sitting for several hours.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 0.75 cup, Calories 283 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 13 g, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 32 mg, Sodium 732 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g
CLASSIC PASTA SALAD
A classic, light pasta salad featuring Italian dressing. I much prefer it to a the heavy mayo-based varieties. Fast, simple, and easy to make in bulk for parties.
Provided by Brian Genest
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 1h55m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Strain pasta and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process; you don't want it to be mushy. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Add salad dressing, pepperoni, salami, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, feta cheese, black olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion to the pasta; toss to combine.
- Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 366.5 calories, Carbohydrate 33.6 g, Cholesterol 32.4 mg, Fat 20.3 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 12.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 939.8 mg, Sugar 4 g
THE BEST CREAMY PASTA SALAD RECIPE
The absolute BEST Creamy Pasta Salad made with broccoli, cucumbers, olives, cheese, red onion, red pepper, and broccoli then tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing. This is the perfect pasta salad for parties and potlucks!
Provided by Elyse
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Rinse well with cold water until pasta is cold.
- Place cooked and cooled pasta in a large mixing or serving bowl.
- Mix in broccoli florets, red onion, red bell pepper, cucumber, sliced olives and cheese.
- Whisk together all dressing ingredients and pour over pasta and other ingredients.
- Gently fold in dressing until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
MEDITERRANEAN PASTA SALAD FOR A CROWD
A pasta salad loaded with veggies, great to take for a potluck or to serve at a big BBQ. Best to prepare a day ahead of time so it has time to absorb all the flavors
Provided by SuperSpike
Categories Beans
Time 45m
Yield 4 quarts, 30 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
- Prepare vegetables as listed.
- Drain and rinse all canned items.
- Combine pasta, cheese, canned items, and fresh vegetables in a very large mixing bowl.
- Add 3/4 of the bottle of salad dressing ( I use Bernstein's Restaurant Recipe Italian) and stir to combine.
- Add parsley for extra color, add a splash of red wine vinegar (optional) to "brighten" the flavor.
- The next day, add the remaining salad dressing before serving, and stir thoroughly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 178.1, Fat 5.6, SaturatedFat 1.1, Cholesterol 1.5, Sodium 288.6, Carbohydrate 26.7, Fiber 3, Sugar 2.6, Protein 6
MACARONI SALAD FOR A CROWD
Basic and super easy macaroni salad that I make for family gatherings. I make mine with dill relish but you could change it if you prefer the sweet. Looks good and tastes even better the next day. The more you make it, the quicker you will get. Can be served right away, or make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.
Provided by Crissy Soares
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes
Time 25m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place macaroni in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta, grated eggs, olives, onion, and relish with some of the liquid. Mix in mustard and mayonnaise, increasing the amount of mayonnaise as desired. Season with salt and pepper. Top with sliced eggs, and sprinkle with paprika to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 472.1 calories, Carbohydrate 48.2 g, Cholesterol 323.2 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 18.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 691.3 mg, Sugar 2.9 g
Tips:
- Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready to go. This will help you stay organized and reduce stress.
- Cook the pasta al dente: This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unpleasant to eat.
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients you use, the better your pasta salad will taste. Look for fresh, flavorful vegetables and a good quality pasta.
- Don't overcrowd the pasta salad: When you add too many ingredients to your pasta salad, it will become watery and bland. Stick to a few key ingredients that will complement each other well.
- Dress the pasta salad at the last minute: This will help to prevent the pasta from becoming soggy. If you are making the pasta salad ahead of time, dress it just before serving.
Conclusion:
Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will love. Next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these pasta salad recipes a try. You won't be disappointed!
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