Best 7 Easy Mostaccioli Pasta Salad Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful culinary experience with our mostaccioli pasta salad, a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the essence of classic Italian cuisine with the convenience of a refreshing salad. This versatile dish tantalizes taste buds with its medley of textures and a symphony of flavors, making it a perfect choice for potlucks, summer gatherings, or a light and satisfying meal any day of the week. With variations ranging from a traditional Italian-inspired dressing to a tangy vinaigrette, our collection of mostaccioli pasta salad recipes caters to diverse preferences and dietary needs, ensuring there's a perfect recipe for every palate.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

QUICK AND EASY PASTA SALAD



Quick and Easy Pasta Salad image

This easy pasta salad is flexible based on the ingredients you have in your kitchen or the season. Start with a hearty pasta shape that has nooks and crannies to hold onto the dressing like rotini or penne. Then toss with our simple dressing and lots of colorful vegetables. We also love adding parmesan cheese, which melts into the dressing as well as a handful of fresh mozzarella balls. For more suggestions for what to add, read through our recommendations in the article above.

Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher

Categories     Side Dish, Salad

Time 20m

Yield Makes about 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 pound dried pasta like fusilli, penne, rotini or farfalle (bow tie)
1 cup sliced bell pepper (1 medium)
1 cup thinly sliced zucchini (1/2 medium)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions (5 to 6)
1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini or banana peppers, optional
1 cup (4 ounces) halved mixed olives
1 cup (2 ounces) grated parmesan cheese or hard cheese
1 cup (6 ounces) fresh mozzarella balls, chopped
1/3 cup fresh parsley or basil, optional
1/3 cup red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 to 3 tablespoons juice from pepperoncini jar, optional
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, 6 to 10 minutes (check the package for recommended cook time). Drain and rinse well under cold water.
  • While the pasta cooks, in the bottom of a large bowl, make the dressing. Whisk the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano, pepperoncini juice (if using), and the olive oil until blended. Add the drained and rinsed pasta to the dressing and mix well.
  • Stir in the bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, scallions, pepperoncini (if using), olives, parmesan, mozzarella, and the herbs (if using). Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Serve or for the best results, cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/10 of the salad, Calories 363, Fat 19.1g, SaturatedFat 5.1g, Cholesterol 18.3mg, Sodium 507.1mg, Carbohydrate 36.6g, Fiber 2.3g, Sugar 2g, Protein 11.7g

EASY MOSTACCIOLI



Easy Mostaccioli image

This rich and cheesy casserole freezes so well that no one would ever guess it had been on ice! It'll appeal to all ages. Margaret McNeil - Germantown, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 2 casseroles (6 servings each).

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (16 ounces) mostaccioli
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1-1/4 cups chopped green pepper
1 cup chopped onion
1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Cook mostaccioli according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce, soup, Italian seasoning and pepper., Drain mostaccioli. Add mostaccioli and 1-1/2 cups cheese to beef mixture. Transfer to two greased 11x7-in. baking dishes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. , Cover and bake 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Freeze option:Cover and freeze unbaked casseroles up to 3 months. To use, thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake, covered, 50-60 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 351 calories, Fat 12g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 42mg cholesterol, Sodium 633mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

MOSTACCIOLI VEGGIE SALAD



Mostaccioli Veggie Salad image

I first sampled this refreshing salad at a church potluck several years ago. The mix of pasta, zucchini, summer squash, cucumber, sweet peppers and black olives is coated with a light vinaigrette. Any pasta can be substituted for the mostaccioli. -Julie Sterchi Jackson, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 cups uncooked mostaccioli
1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
1 small yellow summer squash, quartered and sliced
1 small zucchini, halved and sliced
1/2 cup diced sweet red pepper
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives
3 to 4 green onions, chopped
DRESSING:
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup canola oil
1-1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard
3/4 teaspoon dried minced onion
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the cucumbers, summer squash, zucchini, peppers, olives and onions., In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Toss again before serving. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Nutrition Facts :

EASY BAKED MOSTACCIOLI



Easy Baked Mostaccioli image

Simple hardy mostaccioli pasta dish that can be baked in a throw-away aluminum pan for easy clean up.

Provided by Alyssa Buschman

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

cooking spray
1 (16 ounce) package mostaccioli pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 ½ (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook mostaccioli in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
  • Meanwhile, heat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef until browned and crumbly, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Drain and discard grease. Add spaghetti sauce to the pan and mix with the beef.
  • Transfer beef mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly over the bottom and layer cooked pasta over top. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cover with foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake until cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 10 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 508.1 calories, Carbohydrate 60.5 g, Cholesterol 59.2 mg, Fat 17.2 g, Fiber 5.5 g, Protein 27.6 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 821 mg, Sugar 14.3 g

EASY MOSTACCIOLI SALAD



Easy Mostaccioli Salad image

Perfect for parties, picnics, and potlucks, this chilled mostaccioli salad has a tasty cucumber-onion dressing.

Provided by Mark Adams

Time 8h35m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (16 ounce) package mostaccioli pasta
6 drops yellow food coloring
1 medium cucumber, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 ½ cups white vinegar
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon monosodium glutamate (MSG)
1 ½ teaspoons yellow mustard
½ cup vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and food coloring to the boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Rinse and drain pasta.
  • Combine cucumber, onion, vinegar, sugar, parsley, garlic salt, salt, pepper, MSG, and mustard in a blender; blend until smooth.
  • Place pasta in a large bowl. Add oil and toss to coat, then toss with cucumber-onion dressing. Refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.
  • Stir before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 286.4 calories, Carbohydrate 45.2 g, Fat 10 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 5.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 396.5 mg, Sugar 18.4 g

MOSTACCIOLI PASTA SALAD



Mostaccioli Pasta Salad image

This is a sweet/sour pasta salad,perfect for a potluck or picnic because of no mayonnaise. It is very good and so simple too make. It is a favorite here at our house. ENJOY!

Provided by Theresa P

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 20m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb mostaccioli pasta
6 drops yellow food coloring
1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 finely diced onion
1 finely diced cucumber
1/2 cup olive oil or 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Steps:

  • Cook and drain the pasta according to package directions (add the food coloring to the pasta cooking water).
  • Mix the vinegar, sugar and spices; heat to boiling.
  • Add the onion, cucumber and oil; mix all with the cooked and drained pasta.
  • Chill for several hours until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 500, Fat 14.5, SaturatedFat 2, Sodium 50.4, Carbohydrate 83.7, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 40, Protein 8

EASY PENNE PASTA SALAD



Easy Penne Pasta Salad image

Revel in old-world flavor with our Easy Penne Pasta Salad. Feta, sun-dried tomato dressing and fresh tomatoes bring our Easy Penne Pasta Salad to life.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Recipes

Time 15m

Yield Makes 4 servings, 1 cup each.

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups hot cooked penne pasta
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
1 pkg. (4 oz.) ATHENOS Traditional Crumbled Feta Cheese
1/3 cup KRAFT Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Dressing made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/3 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, cut into strips
1/4 cup chopped red onions

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Serve immediately. Or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 230, Fat 10 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Sodium 560 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 9 g

Tips:

  • Prep your Ingredients: Before you start cooking, measure and prep all your ingredients. This will save you time and ensure that everything is ready when you need it.
  • Cook the Pasta Properly: To ensure the mostaccioli is cooked perfectly, follow the package instructions carefully. Al dente pasta is the goal, so it should be cooked until it is just tender but still has a slight bite to it.
  • Cool the Pasta Quickly: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it immediately and rinse it under cold water. This will stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
  • Don't Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking the vegetables and sausage, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent them from cooking evenly and may result in steamed vegetables instead of sautéed ones.
  • Use Fresh Herbs: If possible, use fresh herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley in your salad. Fresh herbs will add a burst of flavor and make your salad more vibrant.
  • Season to Taste: Don't be afraid to season your salad to taste. Add salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like until the flavors are balanced.

Conclusion:

This easy mostaccioli pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. With its combination of tender pasta, flavorful vegetables, and tangy dressing, it's sure to be a hit at any gathering. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal that's packed with flavor, give this recipe a try.

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