Best 2 Italian Pasta Salad Dressing Recipes

Pasta salad is a versatile dish enjoyed globally. It's also known as a pasta salad dressing. By adding various ingredients like vegetables, meat, cheese, and dressing, you can create a wide variety of pasta salads. If you seek a light and refreshing dish for a summer picnic or a potluck, a creamy and luxurious pasta salad for a special occasion, or something simple and quick for a weekday lunch, you'll find what you are looking for in our collection of pasta salad recipes. Some of the favorites include classic Italian pasta salad dressing, creamy Caesar dressing, lemony vinaigrette, and tangy Greek dressing. Each of these dressings can be paired with different types of pasta, vegetables, and proteins to create a unique and delicious pasta salad.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ITALIAN DRESSING PASTA SALAD

Italian Dressing Pasta Salad image

This colorful salad is hearty enough to be a light meal in itself. It's a great make-ahead dish, since the full flavors of the herbs and veggies need a little time to blend. For more tasty ideas, check out these other cold pasta salad recipes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 1h

Yield 36 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

2 packages (12 ounces each) tricolor spiral pasta
2 packages (16 ounces each) frozen California-blend vegetables, thawed
2 pints grape tomatoes
1 large zucchini, halved and thinly sliced
1 large yellow summer squash, quartered and thinly sliced
1 large red onion, finely chopped
1 block (8 ounces) cheddar cheese, cubed
1 block (8 ounces) Monterey Jack cheese, cubed
2 packages (4 ounces each) crumbled tomato and basil feta cheese
1 bottle (16 ounces) Italian salad dressing
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (3.8 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
Grated Romano cheese, optional

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water; drain well. In two large bowls, combine the California vegetables, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, cheeses and pasta. , In a small bowl, combine the salad dressing, parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and pepper. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Stir in olives. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. , Toss before serving. Serve with Romano cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 157 calories, Fat 10g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 405mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD WITH ITALIAN DRESSING RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Asparagus Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing Recipe - (4.5/5) image

Provided by Late2Serenity

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

For the dressing:
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or more to taste (optional)
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
For the salad:
1 pound asparagus
2 1/2 cups uncooked pasta, such as penne or rotini
2/3 cup sliced red onions
1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
2/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, for serving

Steps:

Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until combined. Set the dressing aside. Make the pasta salad: Remove the tough stems of the asparagus then cut each spear into 1-inch pieces. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, 10 to 11 minutes, then add the asparagus to the pot and cook it with pasta for 1 more minute. Drain the pasta and asparagus then rinse it with cold water. Transfer the pasta and asparagus to a large bowl. Stir in the onions and tomatoes. Pour the dressing over the pasta, tossing to combine, then cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours and up to overnight. When ready to serve, stir in the Parmesan cheese and enjoy cold or at room temperature.

Tips:

Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. Fresh herbs, vegetables, and cheese will give your pasta salad the best flavor.
Don't overcook the pasta. Pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and absorb too much dressing.
Let the pasta cool completely before dressing it. This will help prevent the pasta from absorbing too much dressing and becoming soggy.
Use a light hand with the dressing. A little bit of dressing goes a long way. Too much dressing will make the pasta salad greasy and heavy.
Add some fresh herbs to the dressing. Fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, or thyme, will brighten up the flavor of the dressing.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients. There are endless possibilities when it comes to pasta salad. Try adding different vegetables, cheeses, meats, or nuts to create your own unique recipe.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed all year round. It's perfect for picnics, potlucks, and summer gatherings. With so many different variations to choose from, there's sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will love.