Pasta Salad Recipe

This is what I do...

one bag of penne (or anyother pasta you want, have used spirals before too)
a package of chicken that I steamed and cut up
black olives
pea pods
water chestnuts
jar of ranch dressing (we use Marzetti's found in produce section)

mix it up and eat! It is really yummy and a little different than the traditional italian dressing.

I don't have a recipe per se, but here's what I do...

The night before the party put the following into a large bowl...
2 Boxes of Tri-Color Rotini (cooked al dente, drained and cooled under cold running water)
4-6 Roma Tomatoes (Diced)
1 can of black olices (cut in half or buy pre-sliced)
1 bag of cubed cheese (I like cheddar/jack combo)
1/2 Bottle of Zesty Italian dressing.
Mix it all up, cover it and refridgerate.

Right before serving, add the other half of the bottle of dressing and mix again.

There are soooo many variations to make pasta salad. Honestly, just add to it what you like and it will taste great :)

Our favorite variation is:

- Rainbow Noodles (1 box)
- I bottle of either Zesty Italian, or Roasted Red Pepper Italian (by Kraft - this one is our favorite b/c it adds soo many extra flavors), Tuscan Italian. Basically I just use a bottle of some kind of italian dressing
- I usually do a half a block each cubed of sharp cheddar, monter cheddar jack, and mozzorella
- Cucumber
- Cherry tomatoes halved (b/c I like the juice to mix with the "salad"
- carrots
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- And Salad Supreme seasoning.

You can add cubed ham, peperoni, tortellinis.

Have fun

One I love is as follows:

Spiral pasta
2 avocados-diced
1 container cherry tomatoes-cut in half
1/2 red onion-sliced thin
1 jar Sweet chili sauce (I use the Taste of Asia brand)

That's it...it is so very yummy!

I didn't read your priors but I take a pasta salad to all parties I go to and everyone raves about it. I get the $1 box pasta salad at the Dollar Store. I get 2 boxes of the bacon ranch. I follow instuctions but add a little extra mayo and chopped tomatos, grated carrots and a can of sliced black olives. I throw the carrots in the strainer when I dump in the pasta. You can really add whatever you want but everyone loves it and when I tell them its a doctored up box pasta salad, they can't believe it. Good luck and have fun!

It can be anything you want, in it.

Also good is:
jalapenos
marinated veggies or the kind you buy in a jar.. the "antipasto" type.
some people do not like Feta cheese. I don't.
Try another cheese. Cubed mozzarella.... or Blue Cheese
anchovies?
Cold cuts that are cut into strips
spinach
Arugula
Radicchio
grape tomatoes (which is smaller than cherry tomatoes)

Use a GOOD italian dressing... or just use extra virgin olive oil/salt/pepper/fresh lemon juice or wine vinegar, to taste.
The dressing, will get absorbed into the pasta... so you have to taste test it prior to serving and add more dressing if need be.

all the best,
Susan

I like tri-colored rotini for a pasta salad with an Italian Dressing. You can throw in feta, olives, etc.... or provide them in seperate bowls to make a Pasta Salad Bar. That way you don't have to worry about allergies or catering to anyone's preferences. I would also include offering of chopped onion, shredded carrot, cucumber and a shredded cheddar cheese. Maybe some sunflower seeds, edamame, spinach...... whatever you like.

You have a bunch anyway, but I love the one my husband makes and it is so easy that my husband can make it hahaha.

We usually double the recipe for parties or just to eat for lunch for about a week. My daughter LOVES pasta salad.

box tri-color rotini (for fun)cooked, cooled under cold water, and immediately put in fridge. Once cooled add:
Cucumber peeled and bite sized
Black Olives, halved or sliced
My MIL puts in cherry tomatoes but I don't like them
A block of feta, crumbled up
and entire bottle of Italian dressing (if you use Kraft it tastes much better, store brands are a little too oily.)

Super yummy, we have some in the fridge right now.

I haven't read the other answers but here is a quick one:

Rotini pasta cooked and drained
Thinnly sliced green pepper pieces
Cherry tomatoes cut in half or quarters
Cheddar Cheese in small cubes
Italian Dressing (I use either Zesty or House depending on who is eating it)

After draining and letting pasta cool, mix all of the above. Salt, pepper, and oregano (just a touch) to taste. Best if you allow it to sit at least an hour (lets the flavor set into to the pasta)

Easy and quick Pasta salad:

1 package Torillini (prepare pasta as needed)
1 cucumber
1 tomato
Deli meat or Chicken breast
Mayo
Salt & Pepper

Dice up cucumbers and tomatos. Cut up chicken/deli meat. Add all ingredients into large bowl and add cold pasta. Mix in mayo. Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill. Serve cold.

Hi M.,

Here is a recipe from our casual Salad selections. Let me know if you need any other recipes or suggestions.

A.
Your Pampered Chef

Family Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
16 oz (450 g) uncooked cavatappi pasta
8 oz (250 g) mild cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-in. (2.5 cm) cubes
1 cup (250 mL) frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup (125 mL) sliced celery
1 small carrot, grated
1/4 cup (50 mL) finely chopped onion
1 cup (250 mL) light mayonnaise
8 oz (250 g) plain fat-free yogurt
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) coarsely ground black pepper

Directions:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse pasta under cold running water until cold. Place pasta in (4-qt./3.8-L) Collapsible Serving Bowl. Add cheese, peas, celery, carrot and onion; mix gently
2. Combine mayonnaise, yogurt, salt and black pepper in small mixing bowl. Add to pasta mixture; stir to coat. Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

I have a GREAT recipe and it includes all things you mentioned...

1 box Spaghetti (I use thin spaghetti)
1 bottle Italian dression (I use Ken's)
1 Package of Good Season's Zesty Italian dressing mix (the kind you buy when you are making your own dressing)
Fresh cut up tomatoes
Peppers (Red, Green, Yellow, Orange - what ever you like - I typically use at least two different kinds for color)
Cucumbers
Black olives
Feta cheese

As for the vegies & Feta, the amount is up to you. You can also double the recipe, but I would say that one recipe is quite a bit of food - especially as a side.

Just boil the pasta, strain, and rinse with cold water. Mix the dressing and dressing mix in a bowl, then put everything else in a big bowl and poor the mix over. Toss and put in the fridge. It is best if you prepare it the night before and put it in the fridge. The vegies get a better flavor. I typically toss it just before I put it out, sprinkle some extra fetta on top and some olives so that it looks pretty! :-)

go to the spice section of your local grocery store. mc cormik makes a great spice mix called salad supreme. you mix a couple tablespoons with some italian dressing. I make a package of mosticolli noodles or penne noodles. then add 4-6 cups fresh cut up veggies (I always add black olives also) toss with the dressing and the refridgerate for a couple hours before the party. i add the feta if its all adults and the pasta salad is always a huge hit. good luck

Seems you have plenty of recipes, but once you decide on your veggies, blanch them in 3 parts water, olive oil, and red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. To blanch, cook them for all of 3 minutes so they are still crunchy, but it takes the crispness out of them.

I have a greek pasta salad that is really easy to make -
1 pkg of Regular or tri colored tortellini
black olives
baby carrots
diced green pepper
thin sliced onions
feta cheese
chopped celery
grape tomatoes
Kraft GREEK vinaigrette dressing

Cook the tortellini till they are al dente, cool off. Toss in a bowl with all the veggies and cheese and add Greek Vinaigrette dressing. YUMMY! Be sure to chill it for a couple of hours if possible

Easy cold pasta salad...

1 lb rotini tri color pasta cooked al dante
1 small can sliced black olives drained
1 can artichoke hearts quartered drained
chopped red onion
chopped red pepper
chopped celery
grape tomatoes halved - add these before serving
1/2 - 3/4 bottle Italian dressing - I use wishbone
good grated parmesan - nothing out of a can

I always make it the night before to save time the day of a party...plus always tastes better!

I like to do a room temp (so the feta doesn't melt when tossing) orzo pasta tossed with feta cheese, very finely chopped cucumber, red onion and sun-dried tomatoes, then all mixed together with a good store-bought balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Chill for a couple of hours to blend the flavors and eat. It's super easy and really delicious.