Favorite Pasta Salad recipes

[jdb in AZ]

I want to make a cold pasta salad for a women's potluck party tomorrow night. What are your favorite add-ins, and what kind of dressing do you put on it, other than mayo or Miracle Whip. (Both of those are fine; just looking for something different.)

 

[SparklePixie]

I make a very simple pasta salad with farfalle or rotini pasta, cut up broccoli and cauliflower, shredded carrots, shredded parm and bottled italian dressing. You can add any kind of cubed cheese (mozz, cheddar, feta) if you don't like parm.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

Rotini, rotelle, or similar pasta. Cut grape tomatoes in half. Slice up some green olives. Cubes of cheese. Bottled Italian dressing on top.

 

[marynpaul]

I use rotini, sliced up cucumbers, sliced black olives, cubed pieces of pepperoni and sharp cheddar cheese and the add zesty Italian dressing

 

[queenofthehive]

Italian Pasta Salad

1 pkg Good Seasoning mix (zesty Italian flavor)
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes (undrained)
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 lb box of penne pasta cooked
1 can large black olives

Mix the first 4 items together in a large bowl. Toss in pasta and olives. Serve cold or room temp. This makes a lot! Also, great 2nd day with leftover grilled chicken tossed in.

 

[denisem]

Antipasto pasta salad is our favorite:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/14278/...ch result&referringContentType=search results

 

[Jamby001]

2 cups dry rotini (tricolour)
1/2 english cucumber, diced
1/2 red onion sliced
1/2 each, red, yellow and orange pepper, chopped coarsely
1/2 container feta cheese cubed
10-15 grape tomatoes halved
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tbls fresh lemon juice
2 tbls olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

Cook pasta until del dente. Add vegetables to large bowl. In measuring cup mix the vinegar, lemon juice, oil, oregano, pepper and basil. Rinse pasta in cold water and add to bowl. Add feta and mix well. Let refrigerate at least 2 hours.

 

[cabanafrau]

I get a lot of requests for one I make with pasta, shrimp, green/red pepper, onion, minimal salad dressing and dill weed.

 

[Meriweather]

tri color rotini
sliced black olives
chopped artichoke hearts
chopped pepperoni
cubed mozzarella
Italian dressing

 

[Malibustyle23]

tri color rotini
Cucumbers
Cubed cheese
Broccoli
Bell peppers
Tomatoes
Any other veggies I feel like adding in that day. Sometimes I even add shredded chicken or finely diced ham.
Italian dressing.

 

[porschegrl]

Our family favorite is The Best Macaroni Salad Ever, from the Pioneer Woman.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/the-best-macaroni-salad-ever/

 

[jdb in AZ]

Thanks all. I'm starting with Christmas shape pasta (Google Naughty or Nice pasta) and will probably go with Italian dressing and fresh veggies.

 

[*3*Mouseketeers]

This is very different! This is our favorite:

16 oz. macaroni (we add bell pepper and onion to cooled/drained macaroni, recipe also calls for carrots but I don't use them)

Dressing:
1 can Sweetened Condensed milk
2 Cups Mayo
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup White Vinegar
Salt and Pepper

 

[msjprincess]

I use rotini or rotelle with any combination of the following

genoa or soppressata salami
provolone
fresh mozzarella
olives
roasted red pepper
artichoke hearts
cherry tomatoes
green bell pepper
pepperoncini

with Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette


Another favorite is

orzo
kalamata olives
jar of artichoke hearts w/liquid
steam bag of spinach for 1-2 minutes and then chop
feta
cucumber
tomato
red onion

make a lemon viniagrette w/ fresh lemon juice, oilive oil, salt, pepper and oregano

 

[Poohforyou]

I use ziti and add grape tomatoes, roasted red, orange & yellow peppers, peeled &seeded cucumbers and olives. I hate cheese and creamy dressing so neither go in mine. I either make a vinaigrette or use a good quality bottled one.

 

[shoney]

I make a sumilar orzo salad as above, but add chick peas (we love them)

For simple pasta salad:

chop fresh garlic and heat in oil to soften
red onion
chick peas
sliced black olives
sliced grape tomatoes
broccoli (par cooked...do not like raw)

toss with additional oil, red wine vingar, salt pepper, fresh basil and grated cheese

 

[msjprincess]

I make a sumilar orzo salad as above, but add chick peas (we love them)

For simple pasta salad:

chop fresh garlic and heat in oil to soften
red onion
chick peas
sliced black olives
sliced grape tomatoes
broccoli (par cooked...do not like raw)

toss with additional oil, red wine vingar, salt pepper, fresh basil and grated cheese

So do I, unfortunately one of the kids is allergic so I usually leave them out.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

This is very different! This is our favorite:

16 oz. macaroni (we add bell pepper and onion to cooled/drained macaroni, recipe also calls for carrots but I don't use them)

Dressing:
1 can Sweetened Condensed milk
2 Cups Mayo
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup White Vinegar
Salt and Pepper

Ummmm...what? That sounds really strange lol.

OP I use the Pioneer Woman recipe.

 

[scrapquitler]

I make a very simple pasta salad with farfalle or rotini pasta, cut up broccoli and cauliflower, shredded carrots, shredded parm and bottled italian dressing. You can add any kind of cubed cheese (mozz, cheddar, feta) if you don't like parm.

This. I also add cubes of salami or pepperoni. Other veggies that I may include are black olives, diced peppers, celery, fresh uncooked peas, depending on what I feel like tossing in there.

 

[SparklePixie]

This. I also add cubes of salami or pepperoni. Other veggies that I may include are black olives, diced peppers, celery, fresh uncooked peas, depending on what I feel like tossing in there.

I sometimes add diced red onion, too.