Favorite pasta salad recipe?

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Would you mind sharing your favorite pasta salad recipe? I am in need of bringing one to a party, and I have never made one.

 

[Meriweather]

Here are a couple. The first is a bit unusual, but it was VERY good and everyone seemed to enjoy it.



* Exported from MasterCook *

Pasta Fruit Salad

Recipe By :Taste of Home
Serving Size : 10 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Salads

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
20 ounces unsweetened pineapple chunks -- drained
1 large navel orange, peeled, sectioned and -- halved
1 cup halved green grapes
1 cup halved red grapes
1 medium apple -- chopped
1 large firm banana -- cut in 1/4" slices
8 ounces plain yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate

Cook pasta. Drain and rinse in cold water.
Place in a large bowl. Add the fruit.
Combine the yogurt and orange juice concentrate. Pour over salad and toss to coat.
Cover and chill for several hours.


* Exported from MasterCook *

Potluck Pasta Salad

Recipe By :Better Homes and Gardens
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Salads

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
4 ounces wagon wheel macaroni OR desired pasta -- (1 1/3 cup)
4 ounces tri-colored corkscrew macaroni OR desired
pasta
1 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper
1 medium sweet red pepper -- cut into thin strips
1 medium yellow squash and/or zucchini, halved -- lengthwise, sliced
10 ounces frozen peas, thawed OR
1 1/2 cups fresh peas -- cooked and cooled
6 ounces pitted black olives -- drained
4 ounces smoked cheddar cheese -- cubed
1 cup unblanched whole almonds -- toasted
1/2 cup sliced green onions
2 tablespoons snipped fresh tarragon, oregano, basil OR
dill
8 ounces Italian salad dressing

Cook pasta according to package directions except add crushed red pepper to the cooking water. Rinse with cool water and drain thoroughly. Cool pasta to room temperature.
In a large mixing bowl combine pasta, sweet red pepper, yellow squash or zucchini, peas, olives, cheese, almonds, green onions and herb. Add dressing to pasta mixture. Toss gently to mix.
Cover and chill for 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

 

[piratesmate]

I've made Meriweather's Fruit Pasta (well, sort of - I substituted whatever fruit I had around, including a handful of dried cherries) and we LOVE it!

Our usual recipe is just:

1 lb tri-color rotini
1 jar 3-bean salad
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts
4 oz chickpeas
16 oz bottle of Newman’s Own Balsamic Viniagrette

Cook & drain rotini. (Plain works fine, too - the colored is just nicer for presentation.) Drain half the liquid from the 3-bean & artichokes. Cut the artichokes into smaller pieces. Drain all liquid from chickpeas. Add beans, artichokes & chickpeas. Pour about 3/4 of the bottle of Newman's over the salad. (Original Newman's is good, too.) Chill.

I also add the following as the mood strikes:
broccoli, fresh - tiny florets only
tomatoes - fresh & chopped
shredded mozzarella
julienned pepperoni

We have this as a side dish every week in the summer with whatever we throw on the grill. It's also good on top of a green salad.

Deb