Best 2 Erins Cold Pasta Salad Recipes

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**Erin's Cold Pasta Salad: A Refreshing and Flavorful Dish for Summer Gatherings**

When the sun is shining and the weather is warm, there's nothing quite like a refreshing and flavorful pasta salad to cool you down and satisfy your taste buds. Erin's Cold Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a quick and easy weeknight meal. Made with a variety of fresh vegetables, flavorful herbs, and a tangy dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. From the classic Italian pasta salad to the unique and flavorful Greek orzo salad, this article offers a collection of delicious cold pasta salad recipes that are perfect for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a light and refreshing lunch option or a hearty and satisfying main course, you're sure to find a recipe in this article that you'll love. So gather your ingredients, grab your favorite pasta, and let's get started!

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

ASIAN NOODLE SALAD



Asian Noodle Salad image

Asian Noodle Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing. A flavorful, easy, and healthy cold pasta salad recipe! Easy to make ahead and feeds a crowd.

Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Categories     Main Course     Salad     Side Dish

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 ounces long thin whole wheat pasta noodles
24 ounces Mann's Broccoli Cole Slaw (2 12-ounce bags)
4 ounces grated carrots
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup rice vinegar
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (gluten free if needed)
1 tablespoon Sriracha pepper sauce ( or garlic chile sauce, plus additional to taste)
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
3/4 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, (roughly chopped)
3/4 cup fresh cilantro (finely chopped)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse briefly with cool water to remove the excess starch and stop the cooking, then transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the broccoli cole slaw and carrots.
  • While the pasta cooks, whisk together the olive oil, rice vinegar, honey, peanut butter, soy sauce, Sriarcha, ginger, and garlic. Pour over the noodle mixture and toss to combine. Add the peanuts and cilantro and toss once more. Serve chilled or at room temperature with additional Sriracha sauce as desired.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 (of 10), Calories 256 kcal, Carbohydrate 29 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 13 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 181 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 10 g

EASY COLD PASTA SALAD



Easy Cold Pasta Salad image

Great for brunch, luncheons, or whatever. Easy and quick to make. I find that this salad is always popular at get-togethers and usually disappears rather quickly...

Provided by Minnie K

Categories     Salad     Pasta Salad     Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

14 ounces uncooked rotini pasta
2 cucumbers, chopped
½ onion, finely chopped
10 cherry tomatoes, quartered
¾ cup pitted black olives, sliced
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the rotini, and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and cool by running cold water over the pasta in a colander set in the sink.
  • Combine cooked and cooled pasta with the cucumbers, onion, tomatoes, and olives in a large bowl. Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 297.3 calories, Carbohydrate 43.9 g, Fat 10.6 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 7.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 608.3 mg, Sugar 4.9 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, ripe fruit, and flavorful cheese will make a big difference in the taste of your salad.
  • Don't overcook the pasta: Pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
  • Chill the pasta before assembling the salad: This will help to keep the salad cold and refreshing.
  • Use a variety of textures and flavors: Include a mix of soft and crunchy vegetables, sweet and savory ingredients, and creamy and tangy dressings.
  • Don't overcrowd the salad: A salad that is too crowded will be difficult to mix and eat. Leave some space between the ingredients so that they can be easily coated with the dressing.
  • Serve the salad immediately: Cold pasta salad is best when served immediately after it is made. However, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Cold pasta salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a variety of ingredients to choose from, there are endless possibilities for creating a delicious and satisfying cold pasta salad. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give cold pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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