In the realm of summer cookouts, pasta salad reigns supreme. A versatile dish that pleases a crowd, it's a symphony of flavors and textures, a delightful dance of al dente pasta, crisp vegetables, succulent meats, and a tangy dressing that brings it all together. This article presents a culinary journey through three tantalizing pasta salad recipes, each offering a unique twist on this summertime staple.
First, we'll embark on a trip to Italy with Rae's Italian BS Pasta Salad, a classic combination of rotini pasta, pepperoni, salami, provolone, and a zesty Italian dressing. This salad is a true crowd-pleaser, a harmonious blend of flavors that will have your guests coming back for seconds.
Next, we'll venture to the vibrant shores of Greece with our Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad. This refreshing salad combines colorful grape tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onions, and feta cheese with tender tortellini, all tossed in a tangy lemon-herb dressing. It's a delightful symphony of Mediterranean flavors, perfect for a light and flavorful summer meal.
Last but not least, we'll explore the bold and smoky flavors of the American Southwest with our Southwest Pasta Salad. This salad features a medley of black beans, corn, red bell peppers, and avocado, all tossed with penne pasta and a zesty chipotle dressing. It's a fiesta of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on a culinary adventure through these three exceptional pasta salad recipes.
RAE'S ITALIAN BS PASTA SALAD
This pasta salad comes together easily and is great for summer get-togethers. My family requests this all the time. I like to play with different veggies to add in variety. So play around with your favorites.
Provided by Rae
Categories Spinach Pasta Salad
Time 4h35m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spiral pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 12 minutes; drain.
- Fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain bacon on paper towels and crumble. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease.
- Wilt spinach in the skillet with reserved bacon grease over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Toss cooked pasta with 1/3 cup Italian-style dressing in a large bowl; stir bacon, spinach, and green onions into coated pasta.
- Stir creamy Italian-style dressing, tomatoes, and olives into pasta mixture. Chill in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 344.3 calories, Carbohydrate 26.2 g, Cholesterol 13.7 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 9.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 841 mg, Sugar 4.5 g
RAE'S ITALIAN BS PASTA SALAD
This pasta salad comes together easily and is great for summer get-togethers. My family requests this all the time. I like to play with different veggies to add in variety. So play around with your favorites.
Provided by Rae
Categories Spinach Pasta Salad
Time 4h35m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spiral pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 12 minutes; drain.
- Fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain bacon on paper towels and crumble. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease.
- Wilt spinach in the skillet with reserved bacon grease over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Toss cooked pasta with 1/3 cup Italian-style dressing in a large bowl; stir bacon, spinach, and green onions into coated pasta.
- Stir creamy Italian-style dressing, tomatoes, and olives into pasta mixture. Chill in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 344.3 calories, Carbohydrate 26.2 g, Cholesterol 13.7 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 9.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 841 mg, Sugar 4.5 g
RAE'S ITALIAN BS PASTA SALAD
This pasta salad comes together easily and is great for summer get-togethers. My family requests this all the time. I like to play with different veggies to add in variety. So play around with your favorites.
Provided by Rae
Categories Spinach Pasta Salad
Time 4h35m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spiral pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 12 minutes; drain.
- Fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain bacon on paper towels and crumble. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease.
- Wilt spinach in the skillet with reserved bacon grease over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Toss cooked pasta with 1/3 cup Italian-style dressing in a large bowl; stir bacon, spinach, and green onions into coated pasta.
- Stir creamy Italian-style dressing, tomatoes, and olives into pasta mixture. Chill in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 344.3 calories, Carbohydrate 26.2 g, Cholesterol 13.7 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 9.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 841 mg, Sugar 4.5 g
RAE'S ITALIAN BS PASTA SALAD
This pasta salad comes together easily and is great for summer get-togethers. My family requests this all the time. I like to play with different veggies to add in variety. So play around with your favorites.
Provided by Rae
Categories Spinach Pasta Salad
Time 4h35m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spiral pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 12 minutes; drain.
- Fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain bacon on paper towels and crumble. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease.
- Wilt spinach in the skillet with reserved bacon grease over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Toss cooked pasta with 1/3 cup Italian-style dressing in a large bowl; stir bacon, spinach, and green onions into coated pasta.
- Stir creamy Italian-style dressing, tomatoes, and olives into pasta mixture. Chill in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 344.3 calories, Carbohydrate 26.2 g, Cholesterol 13.7 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 9.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 841 mg, Sugar 4.5 g
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your pasta salad.
- Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and not as flavorful.
- Let the pasta cool completely before adding the other ingredients. This will prevent the pasta from absorbing too much dressing and becoming soggy.
- Use a variety of vegetables in your pasta salad. This will add color, flavor, and texture. Some good options include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, olives, and zucchini.
- Use a light and flavorful dressing. A simple vinaigrette or pesto sauce is a good option. Avoid using heavy dressings, such as mayonnaise or sour cream, as these will weigh down the pasta salad.
- Season the pasta salad to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to your liking.
- Chill the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to become more refreshing.
Conclusion:
Rae's Italian BS Pasta Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make the best pasta salad that everyone will love.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love