Best 2 Pasta Salad Ii Recipes

Pasta salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that is perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a light and flavorful meal. With its endless variations and customizable ingredients, pasta salad is a versatile dish that can be tailored to any dietary preference or taste. From classic Italian pasta salad with a tangy vinaigrette dressing to hearty Greek pasta salad with grilled vegetables and feta cheese, there's a pasta salad recipe for everyone. In this article, we'll explore a collection of delicious pasta salad recipes that are sure to impress your family and friends. From a simple and refreshing lemon-herb pasta salad to a creamy and indulgent pesto pasta salad, these recipes offer a variety of flavors and textures to satisfy any craving. So gather your favorite ingredients, grab a bowl, and let's dive into the world of pasta salad!

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

SUMMER PASTA SALAD II

Summer Pasta Salad II image

This is the pasta salad that my mom makes. It's even better the day after.

Provided by MENTHA

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 pound rotini/corkscrew pasta
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small zucchini, sliced
1 small red onion, chopped
1 (2 ounce) can sliced black olives
1 (6 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained
¼ cup chopped fresh broccoli
½ pound salami, cut into strips
½ pound pepperoni, each piece cut into 4
½ pound mozzarella cheese, cut into strips
2 cups Italian-style salad dressing, divided
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 tomato, quartered

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water.
In a bowl combine cooked pasta, red pepper, zucchini, onion, olives, artichoke hearts, broccoli, salami, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. Toss until well mixed. Pour on one cup of the dressing and mix well. Cool in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
When ready to eat, toss with remaining one cup of dressing, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, pepper and garlic. Garnish with tomato wedges

Nutrition Facts : Calories 504.7 calories, Carbohydrate 24.9 g, Cholesterol 62.8 mg, Fat 36.3 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 20.7 g, SaturatedFat 10.8 g, Sodium 1900.5 mg, Sugar 5.5 g

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your pasta salad. Look for ripe vegetables, tender herbs, and a good quality olive oil.
Cook the pasta al dente: Al dente pasta is slightly firm to the bite and will hold its shape well in the salad. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and will not taste as good.
Cool the pasta before adding the other ingredients: This will help to prevent the pasta from absorbing too much of the dressing and becoming soggy.
Use a variety of vegetables: Vegetables add color, crunch, and flavor to pasta salad. Some good options include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings: There are many different types of dressings that can be used on pasta salad, from simple vinaigrette to creamy pesto. Try a few different dressings to find one that you like.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a picnic. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will love. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give pasta salad a try.