Best 3 Pasta Salad For A Crowd Recipes

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Pasta salad, a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish, is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. It's a delightful blend of cooked pasta, vegetables, protein, and a flavorful dressing, offering a symphony of textures and flavors. This article presents a collection of tantalizing pasta salad recipes, each with its unique charm. Explore the classic Italian pasta salad, a harmonious union of vibrant tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, zesty olives, and aromatic herbs, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. Discover the Greek pasta salad, a Mediterranean delight featuring succulent tomatoes, cool cucumbers, briny feta cheese, and a refreshing lemon-oregano dressing. Indulge in the Asian-inspired pasta salad, a fusion of vibrant vegetables, savory chicken, crunchy peanuts, and a sweet and tangy dressing. For a hearty and protein-packed option, try the chicken caesar pasta salad, featuring succulent grilled chicken, crispy bacon, tangy parmesan cheese, and a creamy caesar dressing. And for a vegetarian twist, delight in the roasted vegetable pasta salad, a medley of roasted vegetables, tender pasta, and a light and flavorful vinaigrette. With these recipes, you'll have a pasta salad perfect for any occasion, leaving your guests craving for more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CLASSIC PASTA SALAD (FOR A CROWD)



Classic Pasta Salad (for a crowd) image

This classic pasta salad is made with a tri-color rotini, filled with vegetables and cheeses, and coated in a scratch-made vinaigrette. The perfect recipe to feed a crowd.

Provided by Heather

Categories     Side Dish

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 15

24 ounces tri-color rotini pasta (uncooked)
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
12 ounces sliced pepperoni
1 red onion (diced)
1 green bell pepper (diced)
16 ounces mozzarella cheese (cubed)
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
8 ounces olives (sliced)
1 1/2 cups olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is room temperature. Place pasta in a large bowl.
  • Add cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, onion, bell pepper, mozzarella, parmesan, and olives to the bowl. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, add olive oil, vinegar, italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
  • Pour vinaigrette over pasta salad, then toss to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Pasta salad will keep for 3-4 days, refrigerated in a sealed container. Pasta WILL continue to soak up the dressing the longer it sits, so it may need a splash of olive oil and vinegar if it has been sitting for several hours.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 0.75 cup, Calories 283 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 13 g, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 32 mg, Sodium 732 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g

PASTA SALAD FOR A CROWD



Pasta Salad for a Crowd image

This is my go-to pasta salad recipe for a crowd! It's great for showers, picnics, parties, you name it! My mother-in-law taught me to make it. It is easy and very versatile. Today I made it for an event, and I decided to keep track of the measurements so that it could be shared with others who may need a large crowd pasta salad recipe. Hope you enjoy! Better when refrigerated overnight.

Provided by KLATIME

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 70

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 pounds garden rotini pasta
2 (16 ounce) packages steam-in-bag frozen broccoli florets
6 tomatoes, chopped
2 (16 ounce) bottles Italian-style salad dressing
16 ounces Cheddar cheese, cubed
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
  • While pasta is boiling, steam broccoli, one bag at a time, in a microwave per directions on the package, 4 to 6 minutes.
  • Rinse cooked pasta in a colander until completely cool. Return to the pot. Add broccoli, tomatoes, salad dressing, Cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well. Refrigerate until chilled, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Serve cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 141.3 calories, Carbohydrate 17.2 g, Cholesterol 6.8 mg, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.7 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 353.9 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

EASY PASTA SALAD FOR A CROWD



Easy Pasta Salad for a Crowd image

Spinach, peppers and onions mingle with tangy feta cheese in this simple pasta salad. Feel free to make it ahead of time, so it's ready when you are.-Jacquelyn Saintjohn, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 13 servings (3/4 cup each).

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 package (14-1/2 ounces) multigrain penne pasta
1 jar (12 ounces) roasted sweet red peppers, drained and chopped
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 bottle (8 ounces) Italian salad dressing
1 bottle (8 ounces) ranch salad dressing
6 green onions, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients., Drain pasta and rinse in cold water; add to the spinach mixture. Toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is just tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and not as flavorful.
  • Use a variety of vegetables. This will add color, flavor, and texture to your salad. Some good options include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, and carrots.
  • Don't skimp on the dressing. The dressing is what brings all the flavors of the salad together. Be sure to use a flavorful dressing that you enjoy.
  • Let the salad chill. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to become more refreshing.
  • Serve the salad with a variety of toppings. This will allow your guests to customize their salad to their liking. Some good options include grated Parmesan cheese, crumbled bacon, chopped nuts, and fresh herbs.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a delicious and easy dish that is perfect for a crowd. It is also a great way to use up leftover pasta. With a little planning, you can make a pasta salad that everyone will enjoy. So next time you are looking for a dish to feed a crowd, be sure to give pasta salad a try.

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