Best 2 Pasta Salad I Recipes

Indulge in a refreshing and flavorful journey with our tantalizing pasta salad recipes. From classic Italian flavors to innovative Mediterranean fusions, this curated collection offers a delightful array of options for every palate. Whether you're seeking a light and tangy side dish for your next barbecue or a hearty main course for a casual gathering, these recipes are sure to impress. With options ranging from classic pasta salads featuring fresh vegetables, herbs, and zesty dressings to unique creations incorporating grilled meats, seafood, and exotic ingredients, there's something for every pasta lover to savor. Discover the perfect balance of textures and flavors as you explore our diverse selection of pasta salad recipes.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

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

Ingredients

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

PASTA SALAD

Pasta Salad image

This pasta salad has everything you could want in the bowl: loads of ripe tomatoes, chunks of mozzarella, sliced olives, salami and plenty of fresh green herbs, all tossed in a garlicky, oregano-spiked red wine vinaigrette. Serve it the same day it's made for the brightest flavor and best texture.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories dinner, easy, lunch, quick, weeknight, pastas, salads and dressings, main course, side dish

Time 30m

Yield 8 to 10

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, plus more to taste
1 garlic clove, finely grated or minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 pound short-cut pasta, such as farfalle
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
8 ounces mozzarella, cubed (or use small mozzarella balls)
4 ounces sliced salami, cut into 1/4-inch ribbons
3/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives
1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
3 tablespoons diced red onion
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley and basil leaves

Steps:

Make the dressing: Combine vinegar, garlic, oregano and a big pinch each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in oil; taste and add more salt, pepper or vinegar as needed. Set aside.
Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until the pasta is al dente. Drain well, transfer to the large bowl, and toss with the dressing while still warm.
Add tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, olives, cucumber and onion to the bowl and toss well; fold in herbs. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and vinegar, if you like.
Drizzle with olive oil and top with cracked black pepper just before serving.

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh, ripe vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a good quality olive oil will make all the difference.
Don't overcook the pasta. Cook it al dente, so that it still has a slight bite to it.
Allow the pasta to cool completely before adding the other ingredients. This will help to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Use a light touch when mixing the salad. You don't want to break up the pasta or vegetables.
Taste the salad before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a potluck. It's easy to make and can be customized to your own preferences. With so many different variations, there's sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will love.

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