Best 5 Pasta Salad With A Twist Recipes

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Pasta salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. With endless possibilities for ingredients and dressings, pasta salad is a great way to use up leftover vegetables, proteins, and herbs. In this article, we'll introduce you to some unique and flavorful recipes for pasta salad with a twist. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and impress your friends and family with these creative and delectable dishes!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MACARONI SALAD WITH A TWIST



Macaroni Salad with a Twist image

I was messin' around in my kitchen trying to put a twist on my traditional macaroni salad recipe. I tried several different dishes before I came up with this one. Now my friends and family can't get enough of it! I recommend making it a day ahead and chilling it overnight to really develop the flavors.

Provided by Sean

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 4h28m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (16 ounce) package small seashell pasta
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup distilled white vinegar
⅔ cup white sugar
2 ½ tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large Vidalia or sweet onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
¼ cup grated carrots
1 pound diced cooked ham

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta, but do not rinse. Let stand 5 minutes.
  • To make the dressing, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
  • Combine the onion, celery, bell pepper, carrots, and ham in a large bowl. Stir in the dressing. Add the pasta and toss gently to blend all ingredients. Chill at least 4 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 581.9 calories, Carbohydrate 64.1 g, Cholesterol 43.9 mg, Fat 29.2 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 17.7 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 1415.5 mg, Sugar 20.3 g

CHICKEN SALAD WITH A TWIST



Chicken Salad with a Twist image

This colorful salad will disappear fast at your next potluck. I got the recipe from my cousin, who always has great dishes at her parties...and this recipe is no exception! -Valerie Hotl Cartersville, Georgia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces uncooked spiral pasta
2-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 medium onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives
1/3 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons spicy brown or horseradish mustard
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 plum tomatoes, chopped

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, chicken, onion, celery, cucumber and olives. , In a small bowl, whisk the Italian dressing, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until chilled. Just before serving, fold in tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215 calories, Fat 10g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 28mg cholesterol, Sodium 338mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 12g protein.

A TWIST ON PASTA SALAD



A Twist on Pasta Salad image

"I lightened up this recipe i found on the back of a pasta box many years ago," writes Pat Morris, Marlton, New Jersey. "it's become a staple at our home and for family gatherings."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1-1/4 cups uncooked tricolor spiral pasta
1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 large sweet red pepper, julienned
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse under cold water. Drain. In a large bowl, whisk together the broth, vinegar, oil, garlic, sugar, basil and salt. Add pasta, broccoli, tomatoes, pepper and Parmesan and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 104 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 2mg cholesterol, Sodium 221mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

PASTA SALAD WITH A TWIST



Pasta Salad with a twist image

Make and share this Pasta Salad with a twist recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Ladybug II

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 20m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

10 ounces rotini pasta (Colored)
4 -6 ounces linguine
1 cucumber
1 head fresh broccoli (chopped)
1 head lettuce (chopped)
3 -4 tomatoes
8 ounces shredded italian cheese
1 bottle red wine and vinegar salad dressing (I use fat-free)
1 -3 teaspoon sugar (I use 6-8 equal packets)
parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook and drain all pasta.
  • Mix all salad dressing and sugar up.
  • In a large bowl, Layer half of pasta, Layer lettuce, Sprinkle half package of cheese, Add chopped tomatoes, broccoli, cucumber.
  • Pour half of mixed dressing and stir.
  • Then repeat all steps.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 309.5, Fat 8, SaturatedFat 4.5, Cholesterol 18.1, Sodium 301.2, Carbohydrate 46.2, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 3.9, Protein 13.9

A TWIST ON PASTA SALAD



A Twist on Pasta Salad image

'I lightened up this recipe i found on the back of a pasta box many years ago,' writes Pat Morris, Marlton, New Jersey. 'it's become a staple at our home and for family gatherings.'

Provided by Allrecipes Member

Time 50m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 ¼ cups uncooked tri-color spiral pasta
¼ cup reduced sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 large sweet red pepper, julienned
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse under cold water. Drain. In a large bowl, whisk together the broth, vinegar, oil, garlic, sugar, basil and salt. Add pasta, broccoli, tomatoes, pepper and Parmesan and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 80.9 calories, Carbohydrate 11.3 g, Cholesterol 2.3 mg, Fat 2.9 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 3.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 174 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

Tips:

  • Use a variety of pasta shapes and sizes. This will add visual interest and texture to your salad.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is best for pasta salad. It will hold its shape and won't get mushy.
  • Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking. This will stop the cooking process and help the pasta to cool down quickly.
  • Use a flavorful dressing. A good dressing will bring all the flavors of the salad together. Experiment with different dressings, such as vinaigrette, pesto, or creamy dressings.
  • Add a variety of vegetables and protein to your salad. This will make it a more filling and nutritious meal.
  • Don't be afraid to get creative with your pasta salad. There are endless possibilities when it comes to ingredients and flavors. So have fun and experiment!

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a side dish. It's also a great way to use up leftover pasta. With so many different recipes to choose from, there's sure to be a pasta salad that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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