Pasta salad, a delightful dish enjoyed worldwide, offers a vibrant medley of flavors and textures. The perfect summer side or main course, it showcases a symphony of ingredients, each contributing to a harmonious culinary experience. From classic Italian recipes to contemporary fusion creations, pasta salad has something for every palate. With an array of dressings, from tangy vinaigrettes to creamy sauces, and an endless selection of add-ins like crisp vegetables, succulent meats, and savory cheeses, the possibilities are boundless. Dive into the world of pasta salad and discover a universe of flavors waiting to be explored.
Let's cook with our recipes!
PASTA SALAD VINAIGRETTE (MCCORMICK STYLE)
My favorite pasta salad dressing was always the packet of PSV from McCormick. I haven't been able to find it in a couple of years and finally went to the McCormick site only to find out that it's not available any longer. But they did post a recipe!!! I haven't tried it yet but wanted to post it for anyone else who might be looking for the same. Note: prep time does not include the refrigeration time that is required. I like to use tri-colored pasta and sometimes I throw in some cubes of cheddar cheese, too.
Provided by catsoplenty
Categories Salad Dressings
Time 30m
Yield 1 salad, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook pasta as directed. Rinse under cold water and drain well.
- Mix oil, vinegar and seasonings till well blended. Toss pasta and vegetables in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
- Toss lightly before serving.
PASTA SALAD WITH BASIL VINAIGRETTE
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Spread the pine nuts in an even layer on a small baking sheet. Transfer to the oven, and toast until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, toasted pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes olives, Cheddar, chickpeas, cucumbers, and basil vinaigrette. Toss well. Serve cold.
- Add the vinegar, honey, mustard, shallots, basil and some salt and pepper to a blender. Blend until well combined. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil; blend until fully combined.
MEDITERRANEAN VINAIGRETTE FOR PASTA SALAD
Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian
Categories condiment
Time 10m
Yield about 1 1/2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine the tahini, olive oil, olives, vinegar, parsley, mustard, shallot, thyme and orange zest in a mixing bowl and whisk until evenly incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.
GRILLED-VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD WITH PARSLEY VINAIGRETTE
Categories Salad Food Processor Herb Pasta Vegetable Side Vegetarian Backyard BBQ Corn Zucchini Summer Grill Healthy Vegan Bon Appétit Pescatarian Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Blend parsley, vinegar and garlic in processor until parsley is finely chopped, scraping down sides of bowl twice. With machine running, gradually add 1/2 cup olive oil. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Rinse under cold water and drain again. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in 2 tablespoons vinaigrette.
- Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Place smoke chips in 8x6-inch foil packet with open top. Set packet atop coals about 5 minutes before grilling.
- Brush corn, zucchini and onion with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill vegetables until cooked through and beginning to brown, turning often, about 12 minutes. Cool slightly. Cut kernels from corncobs. Cut zucchini and onion into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Add corn kernels, zucchini and onion to pasta in large bowl. Mix in enough vinaigrette to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
PASTA SALAD WITH HONEY DIJON VINAIGRETTE
A wonderful summer picnic salad. Delicious shell al dente pasta accented with sliced radishes, sweet green peas, olives, and moistened with a delicious Honey Dijon Vinaigrette dressing. The basil really brings the flavors alive.
Provided by PaulaG
Categories Cheese
Time 30m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the dressing ingredients and shake vigorously until well combined, set aside.
- In a large pot bring 2 quarts of salted water to a rapid boil, stir in pasta and cook for 10 minutes or until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse for 2 to 3 minutes under cool water, drain well.
- In a large bowl combine the pasta, radishes, peas, olives, cheese and onion. Stir in the basil, drizzle with dressing and stir to combine.
- Chill and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 269.1, Fat 14.7, SaturatedFat 4.4, Cholesterol 14.9, Sodium 139, Carbohydrate 25.9, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2.6, Protein 8.4
PASTA FRUIT SALAD WITH ORANGE JUICE VINAIGRETTE
Steps:
- Prepare pasta to lighter side of package directions or til al dente. Rinse just to cool, drain well. Gently mix with fruit. Add walnuts and vinaigrette to taste. Toss with mint leaves Orange Vinaigrette (preferably fresh squeezed) Whisk orange juice, olive oil, honey, zest and salt until well blended. Pour over salad immediatly and toss to blend. Adjust seasoning and serve as side to grilled chicken, shrimp or with a brunch.
CHICKEN PASTA SALAD W/ DIJON VINAIGRETTE
This recipe will help keep you cool and satisfied in any weather. This is simple and you and your family will enjoy this because the add ins are up to your family preferences. This recipe inspiration is from General Mills and is a family pleaser at our house, I especially like the dressing.
Provided by Pat Duran
Categories Salads
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- 1. Pasta: Prepare pasta according to package direction- cooking to al dente stage only about 7-8 minutes after boiling.Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Shake to drain well. Set aside.
- 2. Dijon Dressing: Drop garlic into food processor or blender while blender is running, add fresh herbs and process until finely chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and mix only until blended. Chill. This makes 4 cups and it will keep in the refrigerator for a week. 7 calories per Tablespoon
- 3. Salad assembly: In a large bowl, add 1/2 cup of the dressing; next add the pasta and remaining ingredients; toss to combine. Serve immediately, or refrigerate. Makes 4 servings of 1 1/2 cups each.
SPIRAL PASTA SALAD WITH MARJORAM VINAIGRETTE
Field editor Sue Gronholz of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin likes to use home-grown herbs in her recipes. Notes Sue, "Marjoram, which I think is under-used, gets well-deserved attention in this fresh-tasting salad."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 25m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, green pepper, onion and olives. , In a small bowl, combine vinegar, honey, marjoram, basil, mustard, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in oil. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 212 calories, Fat 10g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 208mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
Tips:
- For the ultimate pasta salad, cook the pasta al dente (with a slight bite) to maintain its shape and texture when tossed with the dressing and other ingredients.
- Make sure to rinse the cooked pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Use a variety of colorful and flavorful vegetables to add texture, crunch, and visual appeal to your pasta salad. Some great options include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, celery, and broccoli.
- Experiment with different types of protein to add substance and variety to your pasta salad. Popular choices include grilled chicken, shrimp, tuna, or tofu.
- Choose a vinaigrette dressing that complements the flavors of the pasta, vegetables, and protein. A classic vinaigrette made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper is a great starting point, but you can also try variations with different types of vinegar, herbs, and spices.
- Toss the pasta salad gently to evenly coat all of the ingredients with the dressing. Over-mixing can break down the pasta and vegetables, resulting in a soggy salad.
- Serve the pasta salad immediately or chill it for later. Pasta salad is a great make-ahead dish that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Conclusion:
With its endless variations, pasta salad is a versatile and customizable dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you're looking for a light and refreshing summer meal or a hearty and satisfying main course, there's a pasta salad recipe out there to suit your taste. So next time you're in need of a quick and easy meal, give pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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