need a YUMMY pasta salad recipe

[laurajetter]

I am having a party this Sunday for my son's infant dedication and one of the items I'd like to serve is a cold pasta salad. I've never made one before, but I know there are some I like and some I really can't stand. I don't like ones that taste like vinegar, so does anyone have any pasta salad recipes that don't really use vinegar? If that's not possible, then recipes with the smallest amount of vinegar would be next best.

Thanks in advance; I've seen some of the other yummy recipes you Disers have posted in the past, so I'm sure you guys can help me out!!

Laura

 

[airplane]

I think the secret to a good pasta salad is in the dressing.
My absolute favorite is the Good Seasonings dry package that you make yourself. It doesn't use that much vinegar.

 

[debknight]

Go to allrecipes.com. A great web site with user reviews.

 

[lynxstch]

with the packages of hidden valley ranch dressing..I guess you could also use the already bottled to save time
I use corkscrew pasta, box of frozen peas, red onion, ham cut into cubes, cheddar or american cheese cut into cubes, shredded carrots...mix all together..season with salt and pepper and chill.
always gets raves and there are never leftovers!

 

[dcgrumpy]

I use rotini with Paul Newman's Balsamic vinegarette ( which I guess tastes too vinegary for you) I add any combination of the following, celery, tomatoes, bell pepper, roasted peppers, sundried tomatoes, provolone, fresh mozzarella, marinated artichoke hearts, black olives, pepperoncini, genoa salami, prosciutto

 

[mchames]

I've made this Racheal Ray recipe and it's been a huge hit:

Pasta Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_28597,00.html

It's really easy to make and is different than your typical pasta salad.

Mary

 

[barkley]

we call mine "kitchen sink pasta salad" (everything but the kitchen sink goes into it)-multi colored rotini, dry salami, olives, tomatos, red onion, artichoke hearts (and the liquid in the jars), multi colored bell peppers, canned mushrooms... i blend everything together and let chill for an hour or so before i add the dressing (one bottle of berensteins cheesy italian and one bottle of wishbone red wine vinegrete, sprinkle with paremesan cheese) and blend. then i let it sit overnite in the fridge. i take it in a bowl with a lid so i can give it a big shake right before it is served.

 

[imsorry]

I use tortellini, add a little olive oil to a jar of pesto sauce and toss together. Then I cut small cubes of mozzarella, chopped roasted peppers, black olives, grated cheese. If you want more color, you can add some frozen peas (slightly cooked). If you like meat, add some small cubes of salami or pepperoni.

( I don't like vinegar on pasta, either)

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I use rotini with Paul Newman's Balsamic vinegarette ( which I guess tastes too vinegary for you) I add any combination of the following, celery, tomatoes, bell pepper, roasted peppers, sundried tomatoes, provolone, fresh mozzarella, marinated artichoke hearts, black olives, pepperoncini, genoa salami, prosciutto

I am going to try this recipe, and will add some cubed fontinella to the mix

 

[piratesmate]

Someone on the Cooking, Crafting & Scrapping board posted this one. It's very different, both in the dressing & because it has fruit in it. DS hates vinegar so I make this for him sometimeswhen we eat the regular stuff...and I second the Newman's Own Balsamic Viniagrette on that one!

Pasta Fruit Salad
Source:Taste of Home

3 c uncooked medium pasta shells
20 oz unsweetened pineapple chunks -- drained
1 lg navel orange, peeled, sectioned and -- halved
1 c halved green grapes
1 c halved red grapes
1 med apple, chopped
1 lg firm banana, 1/4" slices
8 oz plain yogurt
1/4 c 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.

Substitutions:
Raspberry pieces - dried raspberries
Mandarin oranges
2 Fresh peaches
vanilla yogurt
orange-strawberry juice blend
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

We also really like this one, although it's not pasta.

Wild Rice and Apricot Salad

6 oz wild rice
4 oz dried apricots, chopped
2 oz almonds, sliced or slivered
6 oz yogurt, plain or vanilla
3 oz raisins or Craisins ®
2 Tbl parsley

Make rice according to directions, using no seasonings or butter. Cool slightly & toss with remaining ingredients. Chill & serve cold.

 

[junebug05]

I do a tortellini salad using fresh tortellini and pesto sauce from the refrigerated section. I add grape tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, red or yellow peppers, olives (sometimes), sliced pepperoni, cubed cheeses and shredded parmesan. It's yummy and requested often

 

[irishbosoxfan]

My family's favorite is corkscrew pasta with summer sausage cut into chunks(if you've never had it it is like pepperoni or salami) sharp cheddar cut into chunks,grapefruit or cherry tomatos cut in 1/2,cucumber,red onion,green olives,black olives,green pepper and Italian salad dressing--It is so easy to make and we have enough for leftovers for a day or two!

 

[laurajetter]

Thank you all for the recipes! They sound delicious. Now my problem will be deciding which one to go with!

 

[buckylarue]

I make a simple yet fairly elegant salmon pasta salad. I take a salmon filet (deboned), saute it in butter and lemon juice with some lime pepper seasoning on it, then let it cool. I shred it up and add this to some cooked (then rinsed in cold water) corkscrew tri-color pasta, add a can of baby peas (drained), a little mayo and a dash more lemon juice to taste. Yummy!

 

[asta]

The following recipe came from a box of tri-color pasta. It is one of the best things that I have ever made. My family eats it both cold and warm. Enjoy!


Garden Spiral Primavera


Ingredients:

16 oz. Package Garden Spiral Pasta 2 medium zucchini, sliced &
quartered
¼ cup olive oil 3 carrots, cut into thin strips
½ cup butter 1/3 cup white wine
1 medium onion, thinly sliced 1 tsp. basil and parsley flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced salt and pepper to taste
½ lb. mushrooms, sliced ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Broccoli flowerets, 3 cups

(I usually add larger quantities of the vegetables)

Cook Garden Spirals according to package directions. In a large skillet heat the olive oil and butter, add the onion and garlic and cook 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add broccoli, zucchini, carrots and mushrooms, cook 3 more minutes stirring frequently. Add wine, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes until vegetables are tender. Toss the cooked Garden Spirals with the vegetable sauce and Parmesan cheese. Serves 8-10.

 

[jenks0718]

I make Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad and it has been a HUGE hit in my family. I dont think I have ever atteneded a baby shower, bridal shower, bday party, or holiday function without bringing a bowl along since I made it!

I grill boneless skinless chicken breast and I season with Adodo Goya spice, garlic and pepper, cut into strips or chunks
Tri Colored Pasta
Sliced black olives
Grape Cherry Tomatoes
Real Bacon Bits
Fresh Basil cut very small
Parmesan Cheese (no jar stuff, the real things freshly grated)
Salt and Pepper to taste
One large bottle of HELLMANS Italian Dressing (no fat free! )

It is wonderful!

 

[luv2nascar]

I like a rotini pasta with pepperoni, mozzarella, green peppers, onions, carrots and use Ken's Caesar lite salad dressing

 

[arminnie]

Sometimes I make pasta salad almost like potato salad. Lots of mayo plus what ever you feel like adding. The suggestions above all sound great.

I don't particularly like vinegar either. When I make a "vinaigrette" dressing I use lemon juice instead of vinegar. I just like that so much better.

 

[BrinxFam]

My SIL makes a pasta that DD loves!!

It has small pasta shells, cubed cheddar cheese, diced pimientos, sugar, vinegar and Miracle Whip. I'm not sure of the amounts but the longer it sits in the refrigerator the better it gets. I could get the recipe out if anyone is interested. It's good for kids that like pasta & cheese.

 

[kellydizfan]

Luigine (sp?)
Salad Supreme Mix (McCormicks with Red Top)
Tomato
Cucumber
Black Olives
Onion
Italian Dressing (Don't use Kraft or Neumans - to greasy)

Anything else you want to put in it. Love it.