Best 6 Not Your Mamas Pasta Salad Recipes

**Not Your Mama's Pasta Salad: A Medley of Refreshing and Flavorful Recipes**

Pasta salad, a classic summer staple, gets a modern makeover in this collection of innovative recipes. Gone are the days of mayonnaise-laden, bland salads. These recipes introduce a symphony of flavors, textures, and colors that will elevate your next picnic, potluck, or backyard barbecue. From a zesty Greek pasta salad brimming with fresh Mediterranean flavors, to a vibrant Asian noodle salad with a sweet and spicy dressing, to a hearty Southwestern pasta salad loaded with black beans, corn, and avocado, this article offers a diverse range of options to satisfy every palate. With a focus on fresh ingredients, bold seasonings, and unique combinations, these pasta salads are anything but ordinary. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these exciting and unforgettable pasta salad creations.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

BACON & TOMATO MACARONI SALAD

Bacon & Tomato Macaroni Salad image

Bacon and tomato take plain old macaroni salad to a whole new level...

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 0

Ingredients

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, combine macaroni, celery, onion, parsley, and tomato. 2. In a small bowl, prepare the dressing. Mix mayo, mustard, sugar, vinegar, sour cream and salt. 3. Add dressing to the pasta mixture and stir to combine. Season with freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Sprinkle crumbled bacon on top.

MAMA'S MACARONI SALAD

Mama's Macaroni Salad image

my mom always made this when we were growing up ive made a few changes . we love it i hope you do to . its so easy and it tastes great . its better after it gets real cold !!!!

Provided by Tracie Rine

Categories Salads

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 pound box macaroni, cooked
3 1/2 c mayonnaise
2 Tbsp mustard
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt and pepper
1 c onions, yellow, medium
1 c celery
2 c egg, hard boiled chopped
peas, canned if you like peas !

Steps:

1. cook macaroni mix the rest of ingredients while its macaroni is still warm after its all mixed put in frige. its a favorite in my house hope you enjoy !!!

NOT YOUR MAMA'S PASTA SALAD

Not Your Mama's Pasta Salad image

This is not your typical pasta salad, ergo the name I gave it. LOL My cousin brought this to a get together once and I was blown away. I have tweaked it some to my taste. For instance, she added garbanzo beans. I hate garbanzos so I omitted them. Don't be afraid to add things you love and drop others. You truly can't mess...

Provided by Christine Whisenhunt

Categories Pasta Sides

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 pkg rotini pasta, i like the tri color one
1 each red, green, yellow, and orange bell peppers
1 large red onion, sliced thin
1 can(s) black olives
2 c green olives
1 large cucumber, sliced
1 pkg cherry tomatoes, halved
1 lb pre-sliced hard salami, cut into bite size pieces
1 lb mozzarella or provolone, cubed (i prefer mozzarella)
1 small jars pepperoncini peppers, drained (whole or sliced)
2 small jars artichoke hearts, sliced in half lengthwise
1-2 bottle italian dressing

Steps:

1. Cook pasta. Rinse in cold water to cool. Drain well.
2. In a very large bowl, mix all ingredients together. Add dressing. If you are not serving until the next day, I recommend withholding the tomatoes, cucumber and cheese until shortly before serving, to prevent them from getting too soft or mushy. As this sits, especially if you prepare it the night before, you will find it soaks up the dressing and you will need to add more. Start with one bottle of dressing and go from there. You want it coated well, but not sitting in a pool of dressing.
3. Note: I believe my cousin used kalamata olives. I like them ok, but I love green olives, so I use green olives in their place. Experiment with the varieties you love! Enjoy! P.S. If you want a healthier version, omit the salami and/or use chopped chicken breast.

NOT YOUR USUAL PASTA SALAD

Not Your Usual Pasta Salad image

I created this salad because I wanted something with a little kick and a lot of texture and taste. This is a recipe you can tweak to make it your own. It keeps well in fridge and is best served cold as a side dish. You can add diced ham or even a can of chunky tuna to make a complete meal.

Provided by KB COUNTRYGIRL

Categories Salad Pasta Salad

Time 1h40m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package seashell pasta
8 slices bacon
1 cup creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip®)
¼ cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 red onion, finely diced
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
4 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
½ green bell pepper, diced
½ red bell pepper, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
½ cup sliced black olives
½ cup diced sharp Cheddar cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook shell pasta at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on paper towels; crumble.
Whisk creamy salad dressing, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, and oregano together in a bowl to make a creamy dressing.
Mix pasta, bacon, red onion, water chestnuts, eggs, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, celery, olives, Cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese together in a large bowl. Add dressing and stir to coat. Chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 247.4 calories, Carbohydrate 26.7 g, Cholesterol 68.4 mg, Fat 11.8 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 8.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 381.3 mg, Sugar 4.3 g

MAMA MIA'S MACARONI SALAD

Mama Mia's Macaroni Salad image

This is a copy cat from The Shed in Ocean Springs, MS. I've not made this yet but it sounds good. Got it from a BBQ web site.

Provided by Bill2395

Categories Weeknight

Time 1h

Yield 2 cups, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2 cups of uncooked shell pasta
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/8 cup cider vinegar
1/8 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 bell pepper
1/2 red onion
1/4 shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

Boil and drain pasta- set aside to cool to room temperature.
Mix together in a bowl all of the ingredients except for the bell pepper, onion, and cheese.
Mix the sauce with the pasta.
Add in the chopped bell pepper, onion, and cheddar cheese.
Refrigerate and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 499.2, Fat 26.2, SaturatedFat 6.3, Cholesterol 30.2, Sodium 1069.8, Carbohydrate 59.3, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 13.3, Protein 7.8

NOT-YOUR-MAMA'S TUNA SALAD

Not-Your-Mama's Tuna Salad image

I got my new Rachael Ray Magazine yesterday and this recipe caught my eye! Perfect for a warm summer meal! I like salads that transport easily for picnics and potlucks and this one fits the bill!! Estimated times this hasn't been tried YET but will be soon!

Provided by katie in the UP

Categories Tuna

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 cup pesto sauce, store bought can be used (YAH)
1 lemon, juice of
2 (6 ounce) cans tuna in water
4 scallions, cut thinly
1 red pepper, roasted, can used jarred
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 lb medium pasta shell, cooked
salt and pepper

Steps:

Place the pesto in a large bowl and stir in the lemon juice.
Add the tuna and flake it with a fork.
Add the scallions, raosted red pepper, tomatoes and pasta.
Toss the salad to coat evenly.
Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 347.9, Fat 3.7, SaturatedFat 0.9, Cholesterol 37.5, Sodium 344.3, Carbohydrate 47.9, Fiber 3.3, Sugar 3.9, Protein 29.5

Tips:

For the best flavor, use high-quality ingredients. This means fresh vegetables, a flavorful cheese, and a good-quality pasta.
Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the best choice for pasta salad.
Let the pasta salad cool completely before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the salad will be more refreshing.
Feel free to customize the pasta salad to your liking. Add more or less vegetables, cheese, or dressing as desired.
Pasta salad is a great make-ahead dish. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

This pasta salad is a delicious and refreshing side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With its vibrant colors and flavorful ingredients, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.