Best 2 The Best Pasta Salad Recipes

Pasta salad is a refreshing and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish. It's a great way to use up leftover pasta, and it's also a perfect meal for a picnic or potluck. This recipe collection features a variety of pasta salad recipes, from classic Italian pasta salad to more unique and creative options. With so many delicious recipes to choose from, you're sure to find one that you'll love.

**Classic Italian Pasta Salad:**

This classic recipe is a crowd-pleaser. It's made with simple, fresh ingredients like pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. The dressing is a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and garlic.

**Greek Pasta Salad:**

This Greek-inspired pasta salad is bursting with flavor. It's made with feta cheese, Kalamata olives, red onion, and cucumber. The dressing is a tangy vinaigrette made with lemon juice, olive oil, and oregano.

**BLT Pasta Salad:**

This unique pasta salad is a fun twist on the classic BLT sandwich. It's made with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado. The dressing is a creamy ranch dressing.

**Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad:**

This Caesar salad-inspired pasta salad is a delicious and easy meal. It's made with grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and croutons. The dressing is a creamy Caesar dressing.

**Caprese Pasta Salad:**

This Caprese salad-inspired pasta salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish. It's made with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil. The dressing is a simple balsamic vinaigrette.

These are just a few of the delicious pasta salad recipes that you'll find in this collection. So, grab your favorite pasta and get cooking!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

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

BEST EVER PASTA SALAD

Best Ever Pasta Salad image

Yummy penne pasta recipe with cucumbers, tomatoes and seasonings. So easy it's worth a try.

Provided by ILOVETOCOOK

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package dry penne pasta
2 large cucumbers, peeled and cubed
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
2 cups mayonnaise
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
3 tablespoons dried dill weed
2 tablespoons lemon pepper

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Combine pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, mayonnaise, sour cream, dill weed and lemon pepper. Serve as is or chill for 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 537.8 calories, Carbohydrate 37.6 g, Cholesterol 26.7 mg, Fat 40.9 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 7.7 g, SaturatedFat 8.4 g, Sodium 545 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

Tips:

Choose the right pasta. Short pasta shapes, like penne or rotini, are ideal for pasta salad because they hold the sauce well. Avoid long, thin pasta, like spaghetti or linguine, as they tend to get tangled and difficult to eat.
Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and lose its texture in the salad.
Rinse the pasta with cold water. This will stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from becoming sticky.
Use a variety of vegetables. This will add color, texture, and flavor to your salad. Some good options include tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, and bell peppers.
Add some protein. This will make your salad more filling and satisfying. Good options include cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
Use a light and flavorful dressing. A simple vinaigrette or pesto dressing is a good choice. Avoid heavy, creamy dressings, as they can weigh down the salad.
Chill the salad before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the salad will be more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a versatile and delicious 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 enjoy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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