Cooking Pasta Salad

[jordansmomma]

I have a babyshower to go to on Saturday. I need to make a pasta salad.
Any ideas?

It can have meat, any veggies, pretty much anything.

Thanks

 

[greeneeyes]

I usually make a pound of spiral pasta (rinse & drain). Then I mix in diced red onion, shredded carrots, diced celery, diced cucumbers, grape tomatoes (or halved cherry tomatoes) and some sliced black olives. Sometimes I throw in some mozzarella and salami cubes. Season with salt & pepper and dress with zesty Italian dressing. Sprinkle with a bit of fresh parsley if you like.

 

[cirquelovers]

My fav starts with taking raw chicken and slicing or dicing it and putting it in a ziploc bag with what ever dressing I'm going to put on my salad. This summer I've done Italian, Roasted garlic vinagrette, Ranch, Ceasar or almost any other flavor you like.

I boil a box of the Garden Rotini, from Walmart, and make sure to run cold water over it so it stops cooking. Then add anything you like. I like red or yellow peppers, red onion, olives and bacon. Cook the chicken and cut smaller if needed. Add to pasta and cover with dressing, stir together and voila!

I've also done it with ham or salami and pepperoni.

 

[MazdaUK]

Cooling the pasta is so important! I like to have everything ready so I can toss it while its just drained to stop sticking. I also use a Tupperware bowl so when I an ready to serve I just give it a good old shake (making sure the lid is tight)

 

[TeaToo!]

Cooling the pasta is so important! I like to have everything ready so I can toss it while its just drained to stop sticking. I also use a Tupperware bowl so when I an ready to serve I just give it a good old shake (making sure the lid is tight)

 

[nikkistevej]

I use good seasons dressing, noodles,cut up pepperoni, fresh parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick.

 

[Kirby]

I usually make a pound of spiral pasta (rinse & drain). Then I mix in diced red onion, shredded carrots, diced celery, diced cucumbers, grape tomatoes (or halved cherry tomatoes) and some sliced black olives. Sometimes I throw in some mozzarella and salami cubes. Season with salt & pepper and dress with zesty Italian dressing. Sprinkle with a bit of fresh parsley if you like.

Would this be like the pasta you find on salad bars? My son has asked me to check the DIS for an easy pasta recipe. He likes a pasta salad that he finds occasionally at an all you can eat restaurant. He wants to duplicate it but is hesitant to try without a recipe. He says that that kind he likes is usually made with the spiral and/or multi-colored pasta.

 

[donaldduck352]

It sounds like the one to me!

 

[jordansmomma]

I ended up using a bag of Garden Rotini, 1/2 each of red & green bell pepper, a cucumber, grape tomatoes, 1/4 red onion, 2 cans sliced olives, mini pepperoni's, Colby jack diced into cubes, & Zesty Italian salad dressing.

It was really good!