Best 5 The Perfect Pasta Salad Dressing Recipes

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Pasta salad is a refreshing and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. The possibilities are endless when it comes to pasta salad recipes, but they all share a few essential ingredients: cooked pasta, dressing, and vegetables. In this article, we'll share three delicious pasta salad dressing recipes that are sure to please everyone at your table.

The first recipe is a classic vinaigrette dressing made with olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and herbs. It's light and tangy, and it pairs well with a variety of pasta shapes and vegetables. The second recipe is a creamy Caesar dressing made with mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and lemon juice. It's rich and flavorful, and it's perfect for pasta salads with grilled chicken or shrimp. The third recipe is a pesto dressing made with basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. It's herbaceous and nutty, and it's perfect for pasta salads with sun-dried tomatoes or artichoke hearts.

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

PASTA SALAD WITH HOMEMADE DRESSING



Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing image

Pasta salad filled with veggies, cheese, and seasoning. Very tasty and versatile -- is great to make ahead.

Provided by BONNIES

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 8h45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 (8 ounce) package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
6 ounces pepperoni sausage, diced
6 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
¾ cup chopped green bell pepper
¾ cup chopped red bell pepper
1 (6 ounce) can pitted black olives
¼ cup minced fresh parsley
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon ground mustard seed
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
  • In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, pepperoni, provolone cheese, red onion, cucumber, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, olives, parsley, and Parmesan cheese.
  • In a jar with a lid, mix the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, basil, oregano, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Seal jar, and shake well.
  • Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta salad, and toss to coat. Cover, and chill 8 hours in the refrigerator

Nutrition Facts : Calories 442.8 calories, Carbohydrate 25.4 g, Cholesterol 38.9 mg, Fat 32 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 15.9 g, SaturatedFat 9.5 g, Sodium 835.7 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

MACARONI SALAD



Macaroni Salad image

Macaroni Salad is quick to throw together and so DELICIOUS! A versatile, fool-proof pasta salad with an incredible creamy dressing perfect to take to gatherings, Bbq's, lunches and dinners. Or serve as a popular side dish!

Provided by Karina

Categories     Salad

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 16

8 oz (250g) dry macaroni pasta
1/2 medium red bell pepper (capsicum), (seeded and finely chopped)
1/2 medium red onion, (finely diced)
1 small carrot, (peeled and shredded)
2 dill pickles, (finely chopped)
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 cup mayonnaise, ((S&W, Best Foods, Hellmann's, Japanese or any whole egg mayo))
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons white vinegar, ((adjust to taste))
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, (chopped)
1 tablespoon fresh chives
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Bring large pot of salted water to the boil over high heat. Add the pasta and boil until al dente (just fork-tender), or follow packet directions.
  • While pasta is boiling, prepare/chop SALAD ingredients and add them to a large serving bowl.
  • Mix DRESSING ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Once pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cool running water. Drain well and add to the rest of the SALAD ingredients in the large serving bowl.
  • Pour over DRESSING and toss well to evenly combine. Adjust salt, pepper and vinegar to taste.
  • Set aside for at least 15 minutes to let the ingredients warm close to room temperature and settle into each other before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 403 kcal, Carbohydrate 34 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 27 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, ServingSize 1 serving

VERSATILE PASTA SALAD DRESSING RECIPE



Versatile Pasta Salad Dressing Recipe image

This easy pasta salad dressing is adaptable and versatile. Mix it with your favorite pasta and toppings for a delicious side dish.

Provided by Julie Blanner

Categories     Dressing

Time 3m

Number Of Ingredients 4

¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice (or vinegar)
2 Tablespoons whole grain mustard
1 Tablespoons garlic (minced)

Steps:

  • Combine ingredients in a jar.
  • Shake until it reaches full emulsion.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 57 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving

THE PERFECT PASTA SALAD DRESSING



The Perfect Pasta Salad Dressing image

This vinaigrette comes from Hooters, the recipe coming from the Top Secret Restaurant Recipes cookbook. So choose your own favorite pasta salad ingredients and use this dressing for a winning combination.

Provided by Bone Man

Categories     Salad Dressings

Time 15m

Yield 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 14

2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard
2 teaspoons shallots, minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper (freshly milled)
1/8 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
1/16 teaspoon onion powder

Steps:

  • Blend with a mixer on high for about a minute -- it should be creamy and thick in appearance.
  • Refrigerate for an hour or so before using.
  • Note: the onion powder quantity is actually a "dash".

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1380.8, Fat 146, SaturatedFat 18.9, Sodium 460.7, Carbohydrate 23, Fiber 1, Sugar 19.7, Protein 1.1

PERFECT PASTA SALAD:



Perfect Pasta Salad: image

This is an absolutely INCREDIBLE recipe. Every time I've made it I've had to double it and it is still gone in nothing flat. People will beg you for the recipe

Provided by Mrs. Jaye

Categories     Kid Friendly

Time 30m

Yield 8-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (1 lb) box tri-colored pasta
2 cups chopped green peppers
2 cups diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups chopped red onions
1/2 lb cubed provolone cheese (optional)
1/2 lb sliced pepperoni
1/2 cup sliced black olives
3/4 cup pompeian extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup pompeian red wine vinegar (this brand is excellent in this dish)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Mix together dressing first and set aside until sugar is dissolved completely.
  • Cook pasta according to box directions and rinse under cold water until cool.
  • Slice the sliced pepperoni circles in half and separate slices.
  • Mix together with pasta and chopped items, except the provolone cheese.
  • Pour dressing over it all and mix well.
  • Chill well.
  • Add provolone cheese to salad before serving, otherwise it gets soggy.
  • You may have to add extra red wine vinegar or olive oil to get it to the desired consistency.
  • Some people like it moist, others on the drier side.
  • This is guaranteed not to last long before it is completely devoured!
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 595.1, Fat 34.5, SaturatedFat 7.3, Cholesterol 29.4, Sodium 825.6, Carbohydrate 55.9, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 11.1, Protein 14.9

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your pasta salad dressing.
  • Balance the flavors: A good pasta salad dressing should have a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter flavors.
  • Use a good olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is the best choice for pasta salad dressing, as it has a fruity, peppery flavor that will enhance the other ingredients.
  • Add some herbs: Fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, or thyme, can add a lot of flavor to pasta salad dressing.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: There are endless possibilities when it comes to pasta salad dressing, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors until you find a combination that you love.

Conclusion:

A good pasta salad dressing can make all the difference in a dish. By following the tips above, you can create a delicious and flavorful dressing that will take your pasta salad to the next level. So next time you're making pasta salad, don't forget the dressing! It's the key to a great dish.

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