Pasta Salad

[IMGONNABE40!]

I would like to make a light pasta salad tomorrow. I prefer not to use mayo/miracle whip, etc. I have corksrew pasta, fresh basil, grape tomatoes. Assume standard pantry items. I also have some fresh mozzarella. How would you toss these altogether? What else would you add? Thanks.

 

[RUDisney]

I'd put in some Good Seasons Italian dressing and some black or kalamata olives. Maybe some marinated artichoke hearts and some roasted red peppers that I've sliced up.

 

[Ranatra]

In my pasta salad I love black olives, pepperoni, & cucumbers. I also use Italian Dressing and Salad Supreme.

 

[flrose]

Mozzarella cheese, olives, ham, a low fat Italian dressing.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I use Italian Dressing, cucumbers, carrots, and broccoli.

 

[depplyinluv]

dont use mayonnaise....use italian dressing! and cucumbers too!

 

[richiebaseball]

Maybe put the tomatoes and basil in a blender or food processor. Maybe some garlic if you have some. A little salt and pepper. A little balsamic vinegar if you have it. Slowly add some virgin olive oil (hopefully you have some).
That should about do it.

Edited to add: And fresh mozzarella on top!
Edited again to add: Of course, toss the dressing with the pasta. Doh!

Richard

 

[damo]

I like tuna in macaroni salad.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

I basically put whatever vegetable I have in my kitchen into my pasta salad. I will also dice up pepperoni for a little kick.

My favorite "dressing" is actually a new one I just discovered: Wishbone, Italian Balsamic vinagrette!! Perfiect for a pasta salad!!

 

[Barbmouse63]

Mayo,eewwww! I would use lite italian dressing and add some v cucumbers and other veggies! Yummy!

 

[Pop Daddy]

what ever way is the most fattening is the way I like it

 

[Barbmouse63]

BTW, I'm 40 also and soooooooo proud of it!! I am looking forward to 41........soon! Then there was the year when I was 39 and nobody (read: my dks) let me enjoy it. They kept saying you're almost 40. What's up with that?

 

[N.Bailey]

I would have responded earlier, but this is something my husband makes, so I had to wait for him to get home. LOL

He uses, salami (small cubes), ham (cubed), mozzarella cheese (in cubes, not shredded), and colby cheese the same way, both black olives and green olives, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, pasta of course, basil, oregano, and parsley, and he mixes it with bottled Italian dressing.

I love pasta salad and I've eaten it prepared by many people. I honesty believe my husband makes the best I've ever eaten.

 

[Dcat2u]

I use Zesty Italian dressing and I put pepperoni and cubed Cabot white sharp cheese besides cucumber and tomato, my father will also add black olives.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I used to get all of my Pasta Salad ingredients from the salad bar at the grocery store. Pepperoni, aritchoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, celery, green peppers, everything that looked good. I used Italian dressing, I prefer it over a creamy one.

 

[stinkerbelle]

I've found the best dressing to be Paul Newman's Italian salad dressing.

I mix that with tri-color rotini, cucumbers, green/red/yellow (if I can afford them!) peppers, and black olive slices.

Sometimes - to make it a 'main meal' I'll throw some cooked chicken diced up into it as well.

mmmm...think I might have to make some this weekend!

 

[coliebird]

Pretty much the same as everyone else - I use bottled Light Italian dressing, cucumbers, olives, red/green/yellow peppers. I never put cheese in it, but that sounds really good so thanks for the tips everyone.

 

[Jodi3530]

I make what everyone else has suggested and add any and all fresh veggies I have! but to give you another twist here is my favorite
Taco pasta

Noodles I use either bow tie or spirals or egg noodles
crumbled fried hamburger seasoned with taco seasoning cold
shredded cheddar cheese

Diced
onion
green pepper
black olives
tomatoes
sprinkle taco seasoning (to taste) on top and add western dressing and mix. Taste better if you let sit for a few hours in frig.

I just wanted to add that if you want to give your pasta salad with italian dressing a little different taste sprinkle some parmesan cheese on it!!!