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 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
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
Provided by Andrea Vaughan
Time 5m
Number Of Ingredients 5
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
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
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
recipes for creamy, balsamic and Italian dressings
Provided by Emma Chapman
Categories condiment
Number Of Ingredients 16
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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.
KALE PASTA SALAD
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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