Best 6 The Perfect Picnic Pasta Salad Recipes

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

Summer is the perfect time to pack a picnic basket and enjoy a meal outdoors. And what could be better than a refreshing, flavorful pasta salad? With so many variations out there, it can be hard to know where to start. But with a few simple tips, you can make a pasta salad that's sure to be a hit at your next picnic. In this article, we'll share our favorite recipes for the perfect picnic pasta salad, from classic macaroni salad to more creative options.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CONTEST-WINNING PICNIC PASTA SALAD



Contest-Winning Picnic Pasta Salad image

My family's not big on traditional pasta salads made with mayonnaise, so when I served this colorful version that uses Italian dressing, it was a big hit. This crowd-pleaser is loaded with vegetables, beans and tricolor pasta. It's one of the best picnic salad ideas! -Felicia Fiocchi, Vineland, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 25m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (12 ounces) tricolor spiral pasta
1 package (10 ounces) refrigerated tricolor tortellini
1 jar (7-1/2 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts, undrained
1/2 pound fresh broccoli florets (about 1-3/4 cups)
12 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
12 ounces hard salami, cubed
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 medium red onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 envelopes Italian salad dressing mix

Steps:

  • Cook spiral pasta and tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the artichokes, broccoli, provolone cheese, salami, peppers, beans, olives, onion and garlic. , Prepare salad dressing according to package directions; pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411 calories, Fat 23g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 43mg cholesterol, Sodium 1156mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

THE PERFECT PICNIC PASTA SALAD



The Perfect Picnic Pasta Salad image

Pasta salad is almost always the most disappointing side dish at the picnic or cookout, but this recipe shows you how to transform what is normally an "afterthought" to a dish that's good enough to enjoy on its own, or as the perfect complement to grilled meat. Top this with extra fresh chopped herbs if you like.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     100+ Pasta and Noodle Recipes     Pasta by Shape Recipes

Time 3h45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 22

3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
¼ cup cider vinegar
¼ cup rice vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
2 teaspoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 pound rotini (corkscrew) pasta
1 cup sliced snow peas
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
½ cup shelled English peas
1 cup broccoli florets
½ cup diced bell peppers
1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
¼ cup finely diced red onion
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

Steps:

  • Whisk Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, rice vinegar, salt, sugar, and cayenne together in a large bowl for about 30 seconds. Whisk in olive oil in 1-teaspoon increments until emulsified. Whisk in tarragon, dill, parsley, chives, and thyme. Remove and reserve 1/2 of the dressing in a separate small bowl.
  • 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. Add snow peas, carrots, peas, and broccoli about 2 minutes before the pasta is done. Drain pasta and veggies well, but do not rinse.
  • Transfer hot pasta mixture to the vinaigrette in the large mixing bowl and toss well to combine. Let rest for 5 minutes and toss again. Toss occasionally until the mixture is almost room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Add bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, green onions, salt, and the reserved dressing and toss well.
  • Wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours before serving. Toss and adjust seasoning before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 491.9 calories, Carbohydrate 50.9 g, Fat 28.1 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 9.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 641.6 mg, Sugar 5.3 g

PICNIC PASTA SALAD



Picnic Pasta Salad image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Time 25m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1 pound orecchiette pasta
2 lemons
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup walnuts, toasted
3/4 cup dried apricots, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh lemon thyme leaves
3 tablespoons fresh mint, torn
1 small head radicchio, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of water to boil and add a generous amount of salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package directions.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the vinaigrette. Zest 1 lemon into a large mixing bowl. Add the juice of both lemons, honey and some salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. While continuing to whisk, slowly pour in the olive oil to emulsify the mixture into a light dressing.
  • When the pasta is cooked, drain and immediately pour into the large mixing bowl with the lemon-honey vinaigrette. Toss the pasta with the walnuts, apricots, lemon thyme, mint and radicchio. Gently toss to combine and pour into a serving dish. Serve at room temperature or store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

CLASSIC PICNIC PASTA SALAD



Classic Picnic Pasta Salad image

Bulk up this delicious pasta salad with broccoli, peas, ham and provolone.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 30m

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 14

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup bite-sized broccoli florets
8 ounces dried fusilli pasta
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup diced ham
1/2 cup diced provolone
1/4 cup sliced pitted black olives
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup diced salami

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Whisk the mayonnaise, parsley, sour cream, chives, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper together in a large bowl.
  • Cook the broccoli in the boiling water until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and transfer to a colander. Run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Add the broccoli to the bowl with the dressing.
  • Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Three minutes before the pasta is done, add the peas to the pot. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Add to the bowl.
  • Add the ham, provolone, olives, onion and salami to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

PICNIC PASTA SALAD



Picnic Pasta Salad image

I like recipes that use what we grow. This particular recipe has been handed down in our family for years. I can't go to a picnic without it. -Luana Francis, Columbia Station, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 6-8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 cups tricolor spiral pasta, cooked and drained
1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn, thawed
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 small zucchini, sliced
1 cup small pitted ripe olives
DRESSING:
1/3 cup tarragon vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons dill weed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, toss pasta, corn, tomatoes, zucchini and olives; set aside. In a jar with tight-fitting lid, combine all of the dressing ingredients; cover and shake well. Drizzle over salad; lightly toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 299 calories, Fat 16g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 427mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

PICNIC PASTA SALAD -- ONE DISH MEAL



Picnic Pasta Salad -- One Dish Meal image

A terrific, portable, one-dish meal made from items you probably have in your pantry and fridge. Good for a packed lunch when you don't want sandwiches (just keep it chilled in the cooler), or good for a cold meal at home on a hot day. Best made the night before.

Provided by 3KillerBs

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 15m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 lb macaroni, cooked and cooled (or other preferred pasta)
1 -2 cup diced ham (ham you cut from a real ham is leaner than lunch meat ham or other processed ham products)
1/2 lb diced swiss cheese or 1/2 lb diced provolone cheese
1/4 cup minced sweet onion (optional)
1 lb frozen green beans, cut in 1-inch pieces
4 -6 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
12 ounces marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil or 1/4 cup canola oil
1/4-1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 teaspoon prepared mustard (I prefer Heinz brown)
1/4 teaspoon celery seed

Steps:

  • Mix all salad ingredients together in a large bowl.
  • Whisk dressing ingredients together until smooth and well-blended.
  • Toss salad ingredients with dressing until well-blended.
  • Let sit, refrigerated, at least 4-6 hours, preferably overnight.
  • Note: Additional vegetables can be added substituted if desired. Frozen broccoli florets or chopped cucumber are particularly good. But if you add a lot of extra veggies you might need an extra half batch of dressing.
  • Note: It is not necessary to thaw the frozen veggies if making it the night before.
  • Note: Fresh beans, snapped to size, can be used raw for a crisper texture or they can be blanched and cooled first.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 490.3, Fat 20.4, SaturatedFat 6.4, Cholesterol 126.7, Sodium 564, Carbohydrate 54.1, Fiber 7.2, Sugar 3.7, Protein 23

Tips:

  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and not as flavorful.
  • Use a variety of vegetables. This will add color, texture, and flavor to your pasta salad. Some good choices include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli.
  • Don't be afraid to add some protein. This will make your pasta salad more filling and satisfying. Some good choices include grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
  • Choose a flavorful dressing. This is what will really bring your pasta salad to life. You can use a store-bought dressing or make your own. Some good choices include a vinaigrette, a pesto dressing, or a creamy dressing.
  • Chill the pasta salad before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and will make the pasta salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give pasta salad a try!

Related Topics