Cowboy Pasta Salad By Carlsbad Cravings
The heartiest, absolutely flavor-packed pasta salad weve seen, this Cowboy Pasta Salad is an amazing option this summer!Two different kinds of meat, corn, beans, tomatoes, and cheese all covered in a creamy southwest barbecue sauce with just the right amount of tang?The perfect recipe for an absolute hit of a salad.It can easily be served hot or cold, and you can totally make it the day before!We felt that this pasta salad works amazingly on gamedays later in the fall as well if thats something youre looking for!
What Does This Dish Taste Like
This dish is light, packed with veggies, and a delicious side dish. It is not oily at all even though it is very delicate in flavor, it is packed with flavor. Each bite has pieces of crisp, fresh vegetables, crunchy almonds, and sweet oranges. The dressing for the salad is sweet and savory: sweet from the addition of honey, and savory from the soy sauce, sesame oil, and broth used to cook the noodles.
A dish like this at a restaurant or deli can rack up calories because of the calorie-dense ingredients typically used here. My version is a lightened-up take on this dish, with the same great flavor profile.
This dish is perfect to prep ahead of time, and is ideal for meal prep. Not only does it not require any reheating , but the flavors actually develop over time in the fridge as it sits. Talk about a win-win.
Why Make This Recipe
- quick if youre a kitchen whiz, youll need about 20 minutes to whip up this recipe, for the rest of us, expect to have it on the table in under 30 minutes making it great for busy weeknights
- customizable work with what you have on hand or switch things up by trying other veggies like jalapeno or cucumber
- serve hot or cold works well served cold but can also be heated up, if you prefer
Also Check: Can Dogs Eat Tuna Salad
Asian Noodle Salad In Peanut Dressing
This Asian Noodle Salad with thinly sliced red cabbage, julienned carrots and radishes in spicy peanut dressing is ideal for picnics, barbecues or a delicious work lunch. The best part is it could be made ahead as it keeps well in the fridge and becomes even more flavourful!
If you like this Asian noodle recipe, serve it with my Salmon and Bok Choy for a delicious dinner.
I will admit I love a good and satisfying salad in the summer. The time of the year when all I want to do is relax and read a book. Preferably on a beach. Long cooking sessions are never a part of that plan.
Cold Thai Noodle Salad
May 22, 2017 By AliaThis post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.
This Cold Thai Noodle Salad with Coconut Lime Dressing recipe is both creamy and crunchy. It is light, refreshing, and infused with fragrant Thai flavors. It is naturally gluten-free, vegan-adaptable, and ready to eat in just 10 minutes! Learn how to make homemade Thai noodle salad with this fast and simple recipe.
This quick cold noodle salad is made with tender rice noodles, crunchy shredded cabbage and carrots, roasted peanuts and fresh cilantro, tossed in a creamy coconut milk-based dressing. It makes a perfect meal for warm weather, so it is a great dish for spring and summer potlucks and gatherings. This Thai salad is also an ideal recipe for unexpected guests, because you can throw this salad together at a moments notice!
Recommended Reading: Hearth And Hand Salad Plates
How To Make This Recipe
The dressing is fairly simple to make. You just need to remember to soak the nuts in advance. That way, the dressing comes out creamy and smooth. Add peanuts, walnuts and pecans to the blender, along with a peeled orange , maple syrup, water, garlic and soy sauce. Blend until you get a smooth, nutty dressing with an even consistency.
Depending on the type of noodles youre using, you may need to do some extra prep. I used Pad Thai rice noodles, so I made sure to soak it in hot water to soften them. Youre welcome to buy ready-to-use noodles, too. If you have to cook your noodles, wait for them to cool down before you add them to your salad.
All thats left is to chop and dice your veggies, add them to a bowl with noodles and dressing, and voila!
Tuna Macaroni Salad By Jo Cooks
Tuna salad? Pasta salad? Why not combine both into one simple, delicious dish?This recipe does just that, and does a great job too!
Yummy, flaky tuna, sweet peas, and some fresh onion work together amazingly to turn this Tuna Macaroni Salad into a great one.Yet another quick and easy pasta salad that is super easy to make the day before, bring this to any potluck or backyard party!
Refreshing Summer Salad Recipes Your Whole Family Will Enjoy
Also Check: Marzetti Asian Sesame Salad Dressing
Why You Should Always Keep Coleslaw Mix On Hand
This recipe is made using prepared coleslaw mix, which cuts down on prep time. If youre a fan of fresh salads that can be tossed together in a flash, you should always keep your fridge stocked with ready-to-eat coleslaw mix.
It is sold at most supermarkets and is high in fiber and vitamin C. In addition, the delicate cut of the cabbage makes it an excellent choice for soaking up the flavor of the dressing.
How To Purchase Soba Noodles
Although there are tons of recipes that can tell you how to make these at home, I still prefer to buy these from the market.
I have been purchasing these from my local grocery store Giant Eagle. Whole foods carry it. Your local Asian Store will carry it too. Have not seen these at Walmart or Target. And then you can buy
You May Like: How To Make Chicken Salad Sandwich
Cook Soba Noodles On Gas Top
Follow the instructions as the back of the package to these Soba Noodles in a Large Sauce Pan. After cooking, wash these under the cold running water till all the starch is washed off.
Prepare the Vegetables
Meanwhile the noodles are cooking, work on your vegetables. If you are not using the packaged salad bag, then work on the vegetables. Shred them with a vegetable shredder or cut them thin to match the thickness of the noodles. Slice the cucumbers thin like matchsticks, about 3 inches long. Chop the scallions with white an green both. Finely chop the cilantro. Mix them all and set aside.
Prepare the ASIAN SALAD DRESSING
Take a small mason jar and add Distilled Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Honey, Sesame Oil, Ginger, Sesame Seeds, and Lime Juice to it. Close the lid. Shake shake Shake till all the ingredients incorporate well. Dressing is ready.
MIX IT ALL
Take a large Mixing Bowl. Add cold noodles, chopped up vegetables, and roasted cashews + Roasted Peanuts. Pour the Asian salad dressing generously. Toss Toss Toss with Salad Tongs till dressing covers the noodles. You can serve these immediately or refrigerate.
Tips For Making Thai Rice Noodle Salad
Here are a few tips that will ensure this recipe comes out perfect every single time:
- Be careful not to let the rice noodles cook longer than a few minutes, because they will get mushy if they overcook.
- Once the noodles are done cooking, rinse them immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process. Then you can cut them with scissors or break them up with your fingers, to make the salad easier to toss.
- If you are vegetarian or vegan, use soy sauce instead of the fish sauce. Other fresh herbs, such as basil, mint or parsley may be substituted for cilantro.
Recommended Reading: Stop And Shop Salad Kits
Dont Forget The Garnish
Things like chopped fresh herbs, lemon zest, chopped scallions, and sesame seeds can turn a simple noodle salad into something special. And while this isnt strictly necessary, in my opinion the best pasta salads include some non-vegetable crunch, like toasted nuts. Sliced almonds work beautifully in Asian noodle salads, and Im fond of pine nuts in Mediterranean ones.
Where Do I Find Crunchy Rice Noodles
Youll also find these in the Asian aisle of your supermarket. I used La Choy brand crunchy rice noodles for this Asian noodle salad recipe.
You can also look for chow mein noodles, which are a little thicker, but just as crunchy and delicious.
Alternatively, you can top this cold noodle salad with chopped up peanuts for crunch, and skip the crunchy noodles altogether.
Also Check: Chicken Parmesan Salad Wendy’s
What Kind Of Vegetables To Use
For Asian Salads, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, scallions and broccoli can be used. I take a shortcut and use pre-made salad bags from the grocery store. Just empty the whole bag in the bowl and done. No cutting needed. But you can use the vegetables of your choice and shred or thinly slice them to use in the salad.
The Best Easy Pasta Salad
Im not going to liethis recipe is basically the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Its called The Best Easy Pasta Salad, and it really lives up to its name.
Its stupidly easy , its absolutely delicious , and Im pretty sure its the thing that gives my life meaning.
You can find this cold pasta salad recipe on pinchofyum.com.
It comes with a beautiful homemade Italian dressing that I made for the first time and now Im obsessed with it, because thats how life goes.
The ingredients are simple:pasta , tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini , olives, and fresh basil.
They combine together in a way that feels impossibly luxurious, but you only need one pot, one bowl, and a spoon to make them happen.
And then when you want to eat it dont even get me started!
If you love this recipe as much as I do, dont forget to leave some love on pinchofyum.com!
Don’t Miss: What All Goes In Chicken Salad
How To Make Asian Noodle Salad
This Asian noodle salad recipe is easy to throw together and requires zero cooking beyond boiling the noodles.
Do not, however, be deceived by its two simple stepsAsian noodle salad is a flavor monster.
Creamy peanut butter, zingy ginger, sweet honey, and a kick of Sriracha combine to create complex layers of flavor that will keep your fork wandering back to the bowl.
In addition to being addictive, this salad is also healthy and packed with veggies, thanks to a product Ive been adding to my slaws and cold pasta salads for years, broccoli cole slaw.
- Broccoli coleslaw is the perfect way to sneak veggies into this Asian noodle salad, because its mild taste is almost imperceptible, and its thin cut blends seamlessly with the thin noodles.
- The overall effect is similar to a spiralized veggie pasta, minus the work of actually having to spiralize .
- The broccoli and noodles tangle together, and the rich peanuty sauce coats every morsel.
Translation: the euphoria of a total pasta binge, despite the fact that the majority of what you are shoveling into your mouth is vegetables.
Healthy eating VICTORY!
Asian noodle salad is lovely as a light side dish or lunch.
To make it more hearty, I also like adding shredded chicken and edamame for a protein boost.
I havent tried it with tofu yet, but I think it would be an excellent vegetarian option as well.
Easy Cold Soba Noodles Salad Recipe With Asian Dressing Vegan
Actually you can enjoy this salad cold or at the room temperature. Since this is an easy and quick recipe to make, it is perfect for quick meals, easy lunches, picnic lunches, or even work lunches.
I think that is the beauty of the cold recipes. You do not have to heat it. And there is probably only 1 or 2 ingredient that needs cooking. That too can be done beforehand. Therefore when the time comes, you just add everything to the bowl. Toss, Toss & Toss.
Normally I love making my Salad Dressings at home. And this ASIAN SALAD DRESSING is stupendously easy. It is flavored with ginger and sweetened with honey. Just add all the ingredients and shake shake shake. Done.
Another beautiful thing about the salads is their CRUNCH & CRISPINESS because of the addition of raw uncooked salad vegetables. And this salad is full of the beautiful textures and flavors. I love adding nuts to my salads and hence I added peanuts and cashews to it. YUM YUM YUM!!
Soba Noodles
You May Like: How To Make Tortilla Shells For Taco Salad
What We Love About This Recipe:
- No cooking involved! This recipe is ready in just a few minutes with some simple mixing.
- Sesame oil is a popular Asian ingredient that works perfectly in the homemade dressing for this ramen noodle salad recipe!
- This salad is sweet and tangy, crispy and crunchy, and just an all around crowd-pleaser.
Which Dressing Do You Use For Cold Sesame Noodle Salad
The dressing for this cold sesame noodle salad is quick and uses a few kitchen staples. You will need soy sauce, sesame oil, ground ginger, garlic, sesame seeds and rice vinegar. I usually find the rice vinegar in the Asian foods aisle of my grocery store or at my local Asian market. But if you cannot find any, distilled vinegar would work in a pinch.
And its not just me that loves it, Kellan loves it too.
And if a simple salad recipe like cold sesame noodles can please both an adult and a toddler? Well that, my friends, is what we call a win.
If you love the flavors of Asian salads, I know youll love these recipes too:
Also Check: Does Arby’s Have Chicken Salad Sandwiches
For This Cold Thai Noodle Salad Recipe I Recommend:
Here are a few items that I love using whenever I make this recipe:
- Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk I love the taste and consistency of this brand. It adds so much body and richness to Thai dishes.
- Citrus Juicer If you cook with a lot of citrus, a sturdy juicer is a must. This one works for both lemons and limes and will squeeze out every last drop of juice like a pro. Worth every penny.
- Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set This set is perfect for mixing up and serving salads. I love these bowls because they are super affordable and the quality is excellent.
If you make this Thai Noodle Salad recipe, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below, because I love hearing from you!
Can You Make Pasta Salad Ahead Of Time
Yes, you can. In fact, I think the flavor is better when it has a little bit of time to combine.
Pasta salad is delicious made the night before or several hours before you plan to serve it.
This is also a great way to save time if you are making it for parties or gatherings.
Now, if the recipe you are making has ingredients that need to stay crispy, this changes things. I would not add those particular ingredients if possible until ready to serve.
Otherwise, it will get soggy. So, just keep that in mind.
Don’t Miss: No Fat Salad Dressing Recipes
Hummus Pasta With Lemon And Arugula By Cozy Peach Kitchen
Another lovely pasta salad thats incredibly creamy and jammed with flavor, Hummus Pasta With Lemon and Arugula is colorful and super simple.Maybe the quickest and easiest pasta salad on this list, you can have this ready for the table in 15 minutes!With five simple ingredients, you can have a fresh, healthy, and delicious pasta salad for any need.This recipe is wonderful hot or cold, and keeps well covered in the fridge!
Thai Basil Vs Italian Basilwhich Basil Is Best
Italian basil may be more ubiquitous, but were seeing more and more Thai basil at our local farmers market, and even at the grocery store sometimes. If youre lucky enough to find itlook for something that looks a bit like Italian basil, but with purple-tinged leaves and a harder center stalkThai basil will add a lovely spicy, assertive flavor to this cold Thai noodle salad recipe. However, Italian basil will be equally delicious, if thats what youve got on hand.
You May Like: Best Blue Cheese Salad Dressing
Minute Sesame Noodle Salad
Published: » By: Kylie » This post may contain affiliate links. »
Ready in just 25 minutes, this sesame noodle salad is simple, easy to make, and DELICIOUS. It’s – dare I say – my most favorite meal prep recipe during the busy work week! This cold noodle salad is loaded with fresh veggies and homemade sesame ginger dressing that takes just minutes to make!
Italian Pesto Pasta Salad
When its summertime and the weather is balmy, nothing hits the spot like a big bowl of pasta salad.
And if youre looking for a delicious cold pasta salad recipe with Italian dressing to make this summer, look no further than Italian Pesto Pasta Salad from realhousemoms.com.
This classic pasta salad recipe has been a summer staple for years, and its guaranteed to be a hit at any potluck you bring it to.
Ready in just 27 minutes, this dish serves 10 people and is only 285 calories per serving.
And did I mention that its insanely delicious?
Italian Pesto Pasta Salad is an easy-to-make dish that will be sure to impress your guests and keep them coming back for more!
Pro tip: Add extra parmesan cheese on top for an extra cheesy flavor.
Also Check: Healthiest Salad At Wendy’s