Best 3 Pasta Salad For Leanne Recipes

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**Pasta salad for Leanne: A refreshing and versatile dish for any occasion**

Pasta salad is a versatile and refreshing dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch, a hearty dinner, or a side dish at a barbecue or potluck. There are endless variations on pasta salad, but the basic ingredients typically include cooked pasta, vegetables, dressing, and sometimes protein. This recipe collection features a variety of pasta salad recipes that are perfect for any occasion, from a quick and easy weeknight meal to a special holiday gathering. Whether you're looking for a classic macaroni salad, a Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad with grilled vegetables, or a hearty chicken Caesar pasta salad, you're sure to find a recipe in this collection that you'll love. So grab your favorite pasta and let's get started!

**Recipes included in this article:**

* Classic Macaroni Salad: This classic pasta salad recipe is made with elbow macaroni, celery, onion, hard-boiled eggs, and a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It's a simple and delicious salad that is perfect for any occasion.

* Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Grilled Vegetables: This flavorful pasta salad is made with grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant, tossed with cooked pasta, feta cheese, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. It's a healthy and refreshing salad that is perfect for a summer lunch or dinner.

* Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad: This hearty pasta salad is made with cooked chicken, romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy Caesar dressing. It's a filling and delicious salad that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a potluck.

* BLT Pasta Salad: This unique pasta salad is made with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a creamy ranch dressing. It's a fun and flavorful salad that is perfect for a summer picnic or barbecue.

* Greek Pasta Salad: This colorful pasta salad is made with cooked pasta, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, feta cheese, and a tangy Greek vinaigrette dressing. It's a refreshing and flavorful salad that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD RECIPE



Italian Pasta Salad Recipe image

This is one satisfying and flavor-packed cold pasta salad with crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, rustic old-world salami, tangy olives, and mozzarella. A zesty Italian dressing brings it all together.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Salad

Number Of Ingredients 18

¾ lb pasta, ((I recommend fusilli or rotini pasta) )
Kosher salt
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 bell pepper (any color, cored and chopped)
1 shallot (chopped)
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts (6 ounces)
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
6 pepperoncini, (chopped)
6 to 8 ounces salami, (sliced into bite size pieces )
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, (torn (or mozzarella cheese balls))
½ cup packed chopped fresh parsley
½ cup packed chopped fresh basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, (minced)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta in boiling water according to package instructions until the pasta is cooked to al dante (don't forget to salt your water). Drain
  • In a large bowl, mix the pasta with the tomatoes, chopped veggies, artichoke hearts, olives, pepperoncini, salami, mozzarella, and fresh herbs.
  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the dressing ingredients together.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 292.3 kcal, Carbohydrate 31.1 g, Protein 13.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Cholesterol 26.9 mg, Sodium 748.4 mg, Fiber 2.7 g, ServingSize 1 serving

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

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

Tips:

  • Prep Ingredients in Advance: For efficient cooking, measure and chop ingredients before starting to cook the pasta.
  • Use Fresh Vegetables: The freshness of vegetables greatly contributes to the overall flavor of the pasta salad. Opt for vibrant and crisp vegetables.
  • Cook Pasta Properly: Follow package instructions for cooking the pasta. Slightly undercook the pasta to retain a slight bite.
  • Drain and Rinse Pasta Promptly: To prevent the pasta from becoming sticky, drain and rinse it under cold water immediately after cooking.
  • Use Flavorful Dressing: The dressing is crucial for enhancing the taste of the pasta salad. Experiment with different dressings to find your favorite combination.
  • Marinate Vegetables: Marinating vegetables in the dressing for a short while before adding them to the pasta salad intensifies their flavor.
  • Chill before Serving: Chilling the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld and blend, resulting in a more cohesive dish.
  • Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle some fresh herbs, grated cheese, or toasted nuts on top of the pasta salad for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in various settings. With careful selection of ingredients and attention to detail, you can create a pasta salad that is both flavorful and visually appealing. Experimenting with different ingredients and dressing options allows you to customize the pasta salad to your personal preferences. Whether you're preparing it for a picnic, potluck, or a casual meal at home, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

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