Best 5 Shells Pasta Salad By Diane Recipes

Indulge in a flavorful journey with our delectable Shells Pasta Salad, a symphony of textures and tastes that will tantalize your palate. This versatile dish, masterfully crafted by culinary virtuoso Diane, offers a delightful blend of vibrant ingredients, each contributing a unique layer of flavor to create an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, planning a potluck gathering, or simply seeking a satisfying meal, our Shells Pasta Salad is guaranteed to impress.

Our comprehensive guide features not one, but three enticing recipes, each tailored to suit diverse preferences and dietary restrictions. The Classic Shells Pasta Salad, a beloved crowd-pleaser, bursts with the freshness of crisp vegetables, the savory richness of ham and cheese, and a tangy dressing that brings it all together. For a lighter and healthier option, the Vegetarian Shells Pasta Salad showcases a medley of colorful vegetables, tossed in a light and flavorful vinaigrette. And for those with a penchant for bold flavors, the Spicy Shells Pasta Salad packs a punch with a zesty dressing infused with chili peppers, sure to ignite your taste buds.

With its versatility and crowd-pleasing appeal, our Shells Pasta Salad is the perfect dish to elevate any occasion. Its vibrant colors and enticing aromas will draw everyone to the table, while the symphony of flavors will leave them craving for more. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary adventure with our Shells Pasta Salad extravaganza!

Here are our top 5 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

Ingredients

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

SHRIMP AND PASTA SHELL SALAD

Shrimp and Pasta Shell Salad image

When I want to make a macaroni salad just a little bit extra-special, nothing does the trick like some small, sweet shrimp. This is one of my favorite summer salads, and it's oh-so-easy.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Salad Seafood Salad Recipes Shrimp Salad Recipes

Time 2h35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups mayonnaise, or more if needed
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons ketchup
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 lemon, juiced
⅓ cup chopped fresh dill
1 (12 ounce) package small pasta shells
1 pound cooked, peeled, and deveined small shrimp - cut in half
½ cup finely diced red bell pepper
¾ cup diced celery
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch paprika, for garnish
3 sprigs fresh dill, or as desired

Steps:

Whisk 1 1/4 cup mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl; add lemon juice and 1/3 cup chopped dill. Whisk until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate.
Bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil and stir in pasta shells; cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool pasta slightly; drain again. Transfer to a large bowl.
Toss shrimp with pasta; add red bell pepper, celery, and dressing to pasta and shrimp. Mix thoroughly to coat and fill shells with dressing. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, 2 to 3 hours.
Stir salad again before serving and season to taste with more salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper if desired. If salad seems a little dry, mix in a little more mayonnaise. Garnish with paprika and sprigs of dill.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 450.9 calories, Carbohydrate 33.8 g, Cholesterol 99.3 mg, Fat 28.8 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 15.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 663.8 mg, Sugar 2.8 g

CREAMY SHELL PASTA SALAD

Creamy Shell Pasta Salad image

When I took this to a ladies' salad luncheon, the bowl was completely cleaned out!

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 6-8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked small pasta shells
3/4 cup fresh broccoli florets
1 small carrot, thinly sliced
1/3 cup cubed process cheese (Velveeta)
1/4 cup chopped cucumber
1/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup sunflower kernels
1 hard-boiled large egg, chopped
DRESSING:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup prepared ranch salad dressing
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon prepared mustard

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, broccoli, carrot, cheese, cucumber, celery, sunflower kernels and egg. , In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 244 calories, Fat 20g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 37mg cholesterol, Sodium 332mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

OUT TO SEA PASTA SHELL SALAD

Out to Sea Pasta Shell Salad image

Here's a healthier version of a popular boxed salad mix you can buy at the store. We absolutely love it! You can also add a little cooked chicken breast to make it heartier. &mdashAnn Timmerman, Northfield, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

3 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
2/3 cup shredded carrots
2/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
4 turkey bacon strips, diced and cooked
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
3/4 cup fat-free milk
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix

Steps:

Cook shells according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the carrots, peas and bacon. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream. Add milk and dressing mix; beat until combined., Drain pasta and rinse in cold water; add to vegetable mixture. Add dressing mixture; toss to coat. Chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 252 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 23mg cholesterol, Sodium 479mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

SEA SHELLS SALAD

Sea Shells Salad image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories side-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1/2 pound medium-size shell shape pasta, cooked to al dente, cold shocked, well drained
2 scallions, chopped, both whites and greens
1/2 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped into fine dice
1/3 cup tiny frozen green peas, a generous handful
1/4 to 1/3 cup mayonnaise
3 or 4 sprigs fresh tarragon, chopped to about 2 tablespoons
Coarse salt and pepper
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Romaine or leaf lettuce, for lining plate under salad

Steps:

Pile salad ingredients in a mixing bowl as you prepare them. Combine salad ingredients, taste, and adjust seasonings. Serve salad on bed of lettuce leaves.
Yield: Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 8 to 10 minutes for pasta Ease of preparation: moderate

Tips:

Choose the right pasta: Shells are a classic choice for pasta salad, but you can also use other short pastas like penne, rotini, or fusilli.
Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking the pasta until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent the pasta from becoming mushy when you add the dressing.
Use a variety of vegetables: The more vegetables you add to your pasta salad, the more flavorful and nutritious it will be. Some good options include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, and zucchini.
Choose a flavorful dressing: The dressing is what really brings a pasta salad together. You can use a simple vinaigrette, a creamy dressing, or a pesto dressing. Experiment until you find a dressing that you love.
Add some protein: If you want to make your pasta salad a more complete meal, you can add some protein, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
Chill the pasta salad before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and make the pasta salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

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