Pasta Salad Recipe Variations
I enjoy this salad literally all summer long. I love making a big batch of it at the beginning of the week and then eat it all week long. It gets more and more flavorful as it sits in the refrigerator. Below are some of my favorite add-ins or variations to this Tri-Color Pasta Salad recipe.
- Pasta: While I love using tricolor rotini, some other good pasta choices are bow ties, macaroni, medium or small shells, orzo, and Radiatore pasta.
- Meat: rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken, mini pepperoni, salami, ham, and crispy bacon. Note that bacon is best added right before serving and when you know all of the salad will be eaten in one sitting, like at pot lucks. This will ensure that the bacon doesnt get soft or gummy.
- Vegetables: cucumbers , blanched or roasted broccoli, green onions, artichoke hearts, frozen and thawed corn, sliced zucchini, sliced yellow squash, or red onions.
- Beans: garbanzo beans , red kidney beans, white beans, and black beans.
- Herbs: chopped fresh basil, parsley, dill, chives, and cilantro.
- Cheese: cubbed cheddar cheese, Havarti, or Monterey Jack cheese. Also, shredded cheese like Parmesan, crumbled feta cheese, or mini mozzarella cheese balls work well, too.
How To Make It:
Pro tip: Having a party? Make it ahead to save time the day of the party! Use that extra time to socialize and be with your friends and family.
Making Pasta Salad In Advance
Heres the great news. Pasta salad gets better over time. Letting the pasta and veggies sit in the dressing for a while makes a huge difference in flavor. We take the same approach when making potato salad.
You can make pasta salad and keep it in the fridge for up to five days, which makes this the perfect side dish to prepare in advance.
Lets recap, for the best homemade pasta salad, keep the following in mind:
- A simple combination of red wine vinegar, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper makes the perfect tangy dressing.
- Pasta salad tastes better over time so making it ahead of time isnt just possible, its recommended.
- Use a variety of colors and textures. Vegetables add crunch and color, olives add brininess, and fresh mozzarella makes the salad extra special.
- Add even more flavor with fresh herbs, pickled veggies or spicy peppers like sliced pepperoncini peppers.
Also Check: Give Me A Recipe For Macaroni Salad
Zesty And Delicious Pasta Salad
I think we all know that the star of any summer potluck or cookout buffet is the salad section, right?
Forget sad green salads. Im talking about rich, filling salads that may not be the healthiest but are definitely the most delicious. This cant just be a Midwestern thing, right?
Nestled among the potato salad, pea salad, and ambrosia salad is always at least one kind of cold pasta salad.
This year, the pasta salad Im taking to every cookout is going to be this zesty Italian pasta salad. Its loaded up with veggies, salami, and cheese, then tossed with Italian dressing and a dash of hot sauce.
Its filling enough to eat on its own for lunch or delicious as a side dish alongside cheeseburger sliders, Italian beef sandwiches, or your favorite hot dogs or brats.
Does The Occasion Call For A Pasta Salad Heres A Pasta Salad Recipe Thats As Fresh As It Is Delicious Using Briannas Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
Ingredients:
- 6 ounces pepperoni sausage, diced
- 6 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
- 1 package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup chopped green bell pepper
- ¾ cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1 can pitted black olives
- ¼ cup chopped basil
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup BRIANNAS Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
You May Like: Wendy’s Caesar Salad Dressing
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad: This super easy recipe is made using any type of pasta you prefer, a few other simple ingredients, and Zesty Italian dressing!
You know we love salad recipes around here right? Well this one is at the top of our favorites list for sure! And if youre an overall fan of pasta salads then youll especially love this shrimp pasta salad!
Post originally published in 2017 Updated in June of 2022!
If you need a little something to go along with this pasta salad, these Hot Italian Sliders would pair amazingly with this!
What Other Mediterranean Salads I Can Try
Enjoy the bold, savory flavors of Monaco with a Mediterranean pasta salad that overshadows the rest. This refreshing homemade recipe offers an elegant combination of taste and beauty.
You can also go Greek with a Greek Pasta Saladthat incorporates an oil and vinegar dressing like traditional Horiatiki. It is so yummy that your mouth automatically slows down to savor the flavor.
Read Also: Salad Dressings That Are Keto Friendly
What Other Proteins I Can Try For This Salad
Adding protein to this Italian pasta salad is simple. Many of my vegetarian friends like to add black beans for plant protein. It is simply de-lish. Chicken also marries well with all the different flavors and textures in this recipe. Or better yet, use both.
If you are simply looking for a different cold pasta salad built around the savory taste of the protein, try making my chicken pasta salad or even shrimp pasta salad. They are both delectable and the shrimp pasta salad reminds me of warm summer days on the coast!
What To Serve With Cold Italian Pasta Salad
This Italian Macaroni Salad is perfect for a meal at home when you are grilling or if you are going to a group picnic and need something amazing to bring with you!
There are lots of great main dishes and side dishes that go along well with this easy macaroni salad recipe. Check out some of our favorites dishes that we make when we are having this cold macaroni salad. Seriously anything that you cook on the grill will work perfectly with this cold Italian pasta salad recipe.
Also Check: Marzetti Individual Salad Dressing Packets
How To Make Pasta Salad
We love that this recipe can be made in a jiffy. You can make a homemade Italian salad dressing to go with it, but we love that a bottle of store bought Italian dressing works perfectly in this pasta salad.
PASTA. Boil the pasta noodles according to package directions. When theyre cooked, drain and rinse pasta with cold water.
MIX INS. Add in your desired amount of other ingredients . Pour at least half of the Italian dressing on the salad, and mix well.
CHILL + SERVE. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, pour the remaining dressing on right before serving!
Tips To Make The Perfect Italian Pasta Salad
- Cut your veggies small: Cutting your vegetables into pieces slightly smaller than bite-sized will ensure that you get a taste of everything in each bite!
- Dont overcook your noodles: Overcooking will make a mushy pasta salad as the acids from the dressing will break down the starches farther. Shock your noodles once they are cooked al dente in cold water for best results!
- Cool your pasta before adding the toppings: You dont want to begin to cook your vegetables while you toss everything together!
- Let your pasta salad sit before you serve it: This gives the dressing a chance to really permeate your veggies and pasta, resulting in a more flavorful and delicious Italian pasta salad!
- Keep it colorful: If you are adding some extra veggies you have on hand, keep your pasta salad fun and colorful! I love adding things like artichokes, shredded carrots, sun-dried tomatoes, peppers, etc.
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Why This Pasta Salad Will Become Your Favorite
- Packed with flavor: This Italian Pasta Salad is loaded with bold flavors and its so delicious. You will love it. We promise.
- Easy and quick: Simple, easy, and quick recipe to put together that can be ready in just 30 minutes. You can even have it ready in 20 minutes as you boil your pasta. Easy Peasy.
- Kid-approved and Family-friendly: The kids and your guests will love this Cold Italian Pasta salad recipe. They are perfect to serve guests or take to potlucks.
Can You Make Pasta Salad Ahead Of Time
So this is one of my FAVORITE things about pasta salads, aside from the fact that my whole family loves them. I can make a pasta salad and double or triple the recipe and have it as a side dish for dinners for a few nights. My kids also love eating pasta salad for lunch, so I like to make pasta salad and keep it in the fridge for them to have an easy lunch.
Also Check: Pasta Salad Recipes With Mayo
What Ingredients Should I Add To Pasta Salad
We wanted to share an extra easy and flexible pasta salad with you. It is straightforward and quick to make. So you can make the best pasta salad, we have shared lots of tips below.
This salad is a mashup between Greek and Italian pasta salad. Greek because we add both Kalamata and green olives and Italian because we throw parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheese into the mix. For another Italian-inspired pasta salad, try our Three Herb Italian Pasta Salad.
If you love Greek-inspired salads, take a look at this briny Greek pasta salad or our favorite Greek salad. We also have a homemade Italian dressing, if you are interested.
If you would prefer to leave the olives out, no problem! Use our recipe as a guide, and then throw in the ingredients you love. We have shared lots of suggestions below.
TheBest Pasta To Use: Pasta is essential, but the type of pasta you use does matter. I like the pasta to bite back a bit and hate it when it turns mushy.
Thats why you should choose hearty pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, rotini, and farfalle . They also have the advantage of lots of nooks and crannies, which trap the dressing and bits of cheese. Other shapes can work, too. Orzo pasta is an excellent option, but make sure not to overcook it.
Add Some Vegetables: An assortment of veggies add color and crunch to the salad. We love adding bell pepper, cucumber or zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced green onion . You can add other vegetables, too.
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe Notes
Preparing this tangy Italian pasta salad only takes 5 easy steps, less if you break it up with meal prep. Anyhow, here are a few notes to ensure the tastiest results.
Mixing the dressing should always be done first because you want to toss the pasta in while its hot. The heat helps the starchy pasta absorb the flavor of the tangy dressing so that every bite is a delicious metropolis of flavors.
Cooling the pasta to room temperature in the zingy homemade dressing helps this process along.
Letting the pasta salad chill in the fridge for several hours gives all the lively flavors time to mingle and get fully acquainted for a beautifully cohesive dish. Overnight is best but sometimes you just dont have that much time!
Read Also: What Seasoning Do You Put In Chicken Salad
How To Make Pasta Salad:
Make dressing: combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, parsley, onion, lemon juice, basil, oregano, salt, sugar, pepper.
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain water and rinse pasta in cold water. Allow to cool, then pour half of the salad dressing and toss to combine.
Add remaining ingredients: mozzarella cheese pearls, salami, black olives, red onion, cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, parmesan, pepperoncini , and additional dressing, to taste. Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer, before serving.
Cold Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
If youre looking for a cold pasta salad recipe thats delicious, easy, and versatile enough to serve on its own or as a side dish at a backyard BBQ, look no further.
This recipe from delightfulmomfood.com is one of my go-tos: its made with gluten-free Rotini pasta noodles, cucumbers, broccoli, goat cheese, tomatoes, and a zesty Italian dressing.
Its loaded with flavor and so easy to make that you can throw it together in 30 minutes or less.
Plusthe leftovers are even better!
This recipe makes four servingsperfect for serving at your next get-together. And heres the best part its vegetarian!
So itll be a total crowd-pleaser whether youre serving vegetarians or not.
I also love this recipe because it makes great leftovers: I just top it with some more crumbled goat cheese and an extra drizzle of dressing and enjoy it for lunch the next day.
You could even toss in some sliced olives or pepperoni if you want to add some protein!
And at only 486 calories per serving, this salad is perfect for anyone watching their weight without sacrificing taste .
Looking for something thats quick, easy, and can be taken on picnics or to barbecues? Look no further!
Ive found this cold pasta salad recipe on AllRecipes.com, and its called Rainbow Pasta Salad.
It serves 8 people and takes only 45 minutes to prepare and cook.
In addition to being great for family gatherings, this dish has a lot of flavor and is loaded with color, so it will make your table look amazing!
Read Also: How To Cook Chicken For Chicken Salad
How To Make This Italian Pasta Salad From Scratch
- In a small bowl combine the ingredients for the dressing olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, Italian seasonings, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix it with a fork until well incorporated and set aside.
- Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions minus 1 minute. Drain the pasta water and set it aside.
- In a large bowl combine the ingredients for the salad cooked pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, bell peppers, cucumber, onion, olives, parmesan cheese, and parsley.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss them until well coated.
- Garnish the salad with basil and transfer the salad to a bowl to serve.
What Is The Best Pasta For Salad
We love rotini noodles for pasta salad. Rotini is the spiral-shaped pasta you will see in the photos here. You can buy them in the traditional pasta color or in a multicolor blend which can be really fun for a pasta salad. You can also experiment with different kinds of pasta such as shell pasta or macaroni.
Also Check: How To Make A Keto Salad
Best Easy Pasta Salad: Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of salt do you recommend?
Please note that the amount written is for COARSE sea salt. If you are using fine table salt, start with 2 teaspoons and add more to taste. The dressing itself will be very salty. Like, too salty for a normal salad. But in this recipe, thats what we want! That dressing is going to get tossed with an entire pound of plain pasta, as well as a whole lot of fresh unseasoned vegetables, and it will taste delicious once its all tossed up.
Can I use other veggies and extras in this pasta salad?How long will this prepared pasta salad stay good in the fridge?
Keep any leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days in a sealed container.
Tips For Making The Perfect Cold Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
Dont over cook the pasta. It is important to not over cook the pasta. Cook just until al dente and then drain them and then cool the pasta while in the strainer with cold water until all of the pasta is cooled. This will prevent a soggy pasta salad.
Cool the pasta completely. Just like over cooking pasta will give you a mushy pasta salad, so will noodles that are not cooled all the way. As soon as they are done cooking you want to shock the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Chop the veggies small. Pasta salad is best when the veggies and meat if you are adding any are chopped small. This gives more veggies and more flavor in each bite of this pasta salad with Italian Dressing.
Let pasta salad sit before serving. You can serve this pasta salad immediately after making it however I find pasta salad is best when it has time to sit in the fridge and all of the flavors are able to mix together. Letting the pasta salad sit for a few hours before serving results in a more flavorful and delicious Italian pasta salad!
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