Best 5 Simple Pasta Salad Recipes
Pasta salad, a delightful dish that combines the goodness of cooked pasta with a variety of fresh vegetables, flavorful dressings, and sometimes, even meat or seafood, is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a refreshing side dish. With countless variations, pasta salad caters to diverse tastes and dietary preferences, making it a popular choice for picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings. Whether you prefer a creamy, tangy, or oil-based dressing, this article will guide you in selecting the perfect recipe to create a simple yet delicious pasta salad that will impress your taste buds and those of your loved ones.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
SIMPLE PASTA SALAD
An easy, yet very yummy pasta salad. Almost any type of pasta may be used. Best if left to sit overnight.
Provided by Katzen
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 12 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the Italian dressing, cucumbers, tomatoes, and green onions. In a small bowl, mix the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, and gently mix into the salad. Cover, and refrigerate until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 288.6 calories, Carbohydrate 34.6 g, Cholesterol 8.3 mg, Fat 13.9 g, Fiber 4.2 g, Protein 10 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 763.8 mg, Sugar 6.5 g
SIMPLE ITALIAN PASTA SALAD
Perfect for barbecues or any get together. Customize with your favorite vegetables and cheeses. Serve chilled or at room temperature. You can use any assortment of diced vegetables. You can substitute mozzarella cheese for the Parmesan cheese.
Provided by cdastolip9
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Italian Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 8h35m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rotelle in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
- Stir rotelle, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, olives, and pepperoni together in a large bowl. Pour 1/2 of the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight. Pour remaining dressing over the salad and stir.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 308.4 calories, Carbohydrate 32.5 g, Cholesterol 19.3 mg, Fat 15.7 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 10.7 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 771.3 mg, Sugar 4 g
SIMPLE TASTY PASTA SALAD
I wanted to try something different from the average pasta salads I've had. So I decided to experiment and thankfully everyone loved it! Feel free use more or less of any of the ingredients according to your palate.
Provided by agirlygirl (OClancy)
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Rinse pasta with cold water until cool; drain.
- Combine cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, green bell pepper, red onion, and black olives in a large bowl.
- Pour Italian-style salad dressing over the pasta mixture; toss to coat.
- Sprinkle bacon bits and cranberries over the salad to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 678 calories, Carbohydrate 96.6 g, Cholesterol 14 mg, Fat 23.4 g, Fiber 7.2 g, Protein 21.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 1547.9 mg, Sugar 25.1 g
SIMPLE PASTA SALAD DRESSING
A simple-to-make pasta salad dressing, based on the ingredient list found on a box of pasta salad mix. My recipe is almost identical to the Italian-style pasta salad that comes from a box, but it tastes better.
Provided by Caleb1993
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Salad Dressing Recipes
Time 10m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Blend canola oil, vinegar, corn syrup, lemon juice, onion, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, parsley, basil, and red pepper flakes in a blender until smooth, about 30 seconds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.5 calories, Carbohydrate 16.9 g, Cholesterol 0.7 mg, Fat 19 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 219.8 mg, Sugar 5.8 g
SIMPLE SHRIMP PASTA SALAD
A supremely simple Shrimp Pasta salad! It can be whipped up in no time at all and is excellent served with Garlic Cheese Bread!
Provided by Sophie
Categories Salad Seafood Salad Recipes Shrimp Salad Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta and cook until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain.
- In a large bowl combine shrimp, tomato, green pepper, mayonnaise and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Add pasta and toss to coat. Chill for approximately one hour and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 287.9 calories, Carbohydrate 42.3 g, Cholesterol 112 mg, Fat 4.7 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 19.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 151 mg, Sugar 2.8 g
Tips:
- Choose the right pasta: Short pastas like penne, farfalle, or rotini are good choices for pasta salad because they hold the dressing well.
- Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking it until it is still slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy when you add the dressing.
- Rinse the pasta with cold water: This will help to stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from sticking together.
- Use a variety of vegetables: This will add color, flavor, and texture to your pasta salad. Some good options include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and zucchini.
- Don't be afraid to add protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu are all great additions to pasta salad.
- Use a light and flavorful dressing: A simple vinaigrette or olive oil and lemon juice dressing is a good choice. You can also use a store-bought dressing, but be sure to taste it first to make sure it is not too sweet or heavy.
- Garnish your pasta salad with fresh herbs: This will add a pop of color and flavor.
Conclusion:
Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or even as a side dish. With so many different recipes to choose from, there is sure to be a pasta salad that everyone will love. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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