Best 9 Simple Pasta Salad Dressing Recipes

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Pasta salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover pasta and vegetables. The key to a great pasta salad is the dressing. A simple dressing can enhance the flavor of the pasta and vegetables without overpowering them. There are many different recipes for simple pasta salad dressings, so you can find one that suits your taste. Some popular ingredients in simple pasta salad dressings include olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, herbs, and spices. You can also add a little bit of cheese or nuts for extra flavor and texture.

Let's cook with our recipes!

PASTA SALAD WITH HOMEMADE DRESSING



Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing image

Pasta salad filled with veggies, cheese, and seasoning. Very tasty and versatile -- is great to make ahead.

Provided by BONNIES

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 8h45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 (8 ounce) package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
6 ounces pepperoni sausage, diced
6 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
¾ cup chopped green bell pepper
¾ cup chopped red bell pepper
1 (6 ounce) can pitted black olives
¼ cup minced fresh parsley
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground mustard seed
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
  • In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, pepperoni, provolone cheese, red onion, cucumber, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, olives, parsley, and Parmesan cheese.
  • In a jar with a lid, mix the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, basil, oregano, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Seal jar, and shake well.
  • Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta salad, and toss to coat. Cover, and chill 8 hours in the refrigerator

Nutrition Facts : Calories 442.8 calories, Carbohydrate 25.4 g, Cholesterol 38.9 mg, Fat 32 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 15.9 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 835.7 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

6 EASY PASTA SALAD DRESSING RECIPES



6 Easy Pasta Salad Dressing Recipes image

Provided by Andrea Vaughan

Time 5m

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
2/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Pasta salad suggestions: Cooked penne, diced onion, cherry tomatoes and shredded mozzarella.

VERSATILE PASTA SALAD DRESSING RECIPE



Versatile Pasta Salad Dressing Recipe image

This easy pasta salad dressing is adaptable and versatile. Mix it with your favorite pasta and toppings for a delicious side dish.

Provided by Julie Blanner

Categories     Dressing

Time 3m

Number Of Ingredients 4

¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice (or vinegar)
2 Tablespoons whole grain mustard
1 Tablespoons garlic (minced)

Steps:

  • Combine ingredients in a jar.
  • Shake until it reaches full emulsion.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 57 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving

3 EASY PASTA SALAD DRESSINGS



3 Easy Pasta Salad Dressings image

recipes for creamy, balsamic and Italian dressings

Provided by Emma Chapman

Categories     condiment

Number Of Ingredients 16

¼ cup mayo
¼ cup greek yogurt
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
salt + pepper
¼ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon mustard (dijon)
salt + pepper
¼ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
½ lemon (juiced)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Steps:

  • For each of the dressings, simply combine all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk until well combined.

ITALIAN DRESSING PASTA SALAD



Italian Dressing Pasta Salad image

This colorful salad is hearty enough to be a light meal in itself. It's a great make-ahead dish, since the full flavors of the herbs and veggies need a little time to blend. For more tasty ideas, check out these other cold pasta salad recipes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h

Yield 36 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 packages (12 ounces each) tricolor spiral pasta
2 packages (16 ounces each) frozen California-blend vegetables, thawed
2 pints grape tomatoes
1 large zucchini, halved and thinly sliced
1 large yellow summer squash, quartered and thinly sliced
1 large red onion, finely chopped
1 block (8 ounces) cheddar cheese, cubed
1 block (8 ounces) Monterey Jack cheese, cubed
2 packages (4 ounces each) crumbled tomato and basil feta cheese
1 bottle (16 ounces) Italian salad dressing
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (3.8 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
Grated Romano cheese, optional

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water; drain well. In two large bowls, combine the California vegetables, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, cheeses and pasta. , In a small bowl, combine the salad dressing, parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and pepper. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Stir in olives. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. , Toss before serving. Serve with Romano cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 157 calories, Fat 10g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 405mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

PASTA SALAD DRESSING



Pasta Salad Dressing image

A flavorful dressing for a pasta salad. With the combination of mayo and olive oil, a light and creamy dressing is created that allows the flavor from the herbs to come through to provide a burst of flavor.

Provided by Tina Kennard

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Salad Dressing Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon ground thyme
¼ teaspoon dried basil

Steps:

  • Beat mayonnaise, olive oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, sugar, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and basil together in a bowl with a whisk until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 224.4 calories, Carbohydrate 2 g, Cholesterol 5.2 mg, Fat 24.4 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 247.3 mg, Sugar 0.7 g

SUPER EASY PASTA SALAD



Super Easy Pasta Salad image

This is a delicious, summery pasta salad that's incredibly easy to make! I often get requests for it at family gatherings. I usually use fat-free Italian dressing and light mayonnaise and it still tastes fantastic. Feel free to throw in some peppers and other veggies too!

Provided by Kree6528

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 13m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 lb uncooked pasta, of your choice
1 stalk celery, diced
1 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/2-3/4 cup Italian salad dressing (to taste)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
  • Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente.
  • Drain and pour pasta into a large dish.
  • Stir in the celery and tomatoes.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the salad dressing and mayonnaise, then pour this mixture over the salad and toss again, to coat.
  • Cover and chill until ready to serve.
  • Enjoy!

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.

KALE PASTA SALAD



Kale Pasta Salad image

Great side dish! Or, add shrimp and make this kale pasta salad a complete meal. Loaded with your favorite veggies and plenty of flavor, too.

Provided by Allrecipes

Categories     Pasta Salad

Time 40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain pasta well.
  • Combine pasta, kale, carrots, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, bell pepper, and shallot in a bowl. Stir together Greek dressing and mayo in a bowl and drizzle over salad. Mix until well combined.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality olive oil: The quality of the olive oil you use will greatly impact the taste of your dressing. Look for a flavorful, extra virgin olive oil that is made from freshly pressed olives.
  • Add some acid: Acid helps to brighten the flavors of the dressing and balance out the richness of the olive oil. You can use lemon juice, vinegar, or even white wine.
  • Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs add a pop of flavor and color to the dressing. Some good options include basil, parsley, cilantro, and oregano.
  • Season to taste: Be sure to taste the dressing before you serve it and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or acid.
  • Let the dressing marinate: Allowing the dressing to marinate for at least 30 minutes will help the flavors to meld together and develop.

Conclusion:

With these simple tips, you can easily make a delicious and versatile pasta salad dressing that is perfect for any occasion. Experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique dressing. You'll be surprised at how easy it is to make a dressing that tastes just as good as the store-bought kind. So next time you're making a pasta salad, be sure to try one of these recipes. You won't be disappointed!

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