Best 7 Pasta Salad For A Crowd Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

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



Pasta Salad for a Crowd image

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

3 pounds garden rotini pasta
2 (16 ounce) packages steam-in-bag frozen broccoli florets
6 tomatoes, chopped
2 (16 ounce) bottles Italian-style salad dressing
16 ounces Cheddar cheese, cubed
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder

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



Easy Pasta Salad for a Crowd image

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

1 package (14-1/2 ounces) multigrain penne pasta
1 jar (12 ounces) roasted sweet red peppers, drained and chopped
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 bottle (8 ounces) Italian salad dressing
1 bottle (8 ounces) ranch salad dressing
6 green onions, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

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)



Classic Pasta Salad (for a crowd) image

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

24 ounces tri-color rotini pasta (uncooked)
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
12 ounces sliced pepperoni
1 red onion (diced)
1 green bell pepper (diced)
16 ounces mozzarella cheese (cubed)
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
8 ounces olives (sliced)
1 1/2 cups olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

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



Classic Pasta Salad image

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

1 (16 ounce) package tricolor rotini pasta
1 ½ cups Italian-style salad dressing
½ cup diced pepperoni
½ cup diced salami
½ cup diced Cheddar cheese
½ cup diced Monterey Jack cheese
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
⅓ cup sliced black olives
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
½ medium cucumber, diced
⅓ medium red onion, diced

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 Best Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe image

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

1 (16 ounce) package Ditalini pasta (or whatever pasta you have on hand)
1 cup broccoli florets (chopped)
1/2 red onion (minced)
1 red bell pepper (minced)
1 cucumber (diced)
1 (3.8 ounce) can sliced olives (drained)
1 cup block Colby Jack cheese (cubed)
1 cup Mayonnaise
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt

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



Mediterranean Pasta Salad for a Crowd image

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

1 lb rotini pasta
12 ounces tri-color spiral pasta
1 (12 ounce) bottle Italian salad dressing
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans
3 roma tomatoes, seeded, large diced
1 small red onion, cut into strips
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 (7 ounce) cans sliced mushrooms
1 (13 3/4 ounce) can artichokes, quartered in brine
1 (13 ounce) can black olives
4 radishes, halved then sliced
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
2 garlic cloves, pressed
flat leaf parsley
salt and pepper
red wine vinegar (optional)

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



Macaroni Salad for a Crowd image

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

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked macaroni
8 hard-cooked eggs, grated
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 (10 ounce) jar dill pickle relish, partially drained
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard, or to taste
½ cup mayonnaise, or as needed
salt and black pepper to taste
4 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
paprika to taste

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!

Related Topics