I am looking for a really good pasta salad recipe?

Answer 1

e-mail me and I will send you mine. I don't like sharing with everybody...no, I really am a nice person..

Answer 2

I recently had a Bridal shower and served a hit penne salad, I say hit because everyone loved it, seconds even, Lol anyway, after boiling the penne to al dente, I put in red sweet peppers, or bell peppers, also yellow and some green ones so there would be lots of color, added fresh blanched asparagus cut in about 2 inch sizes, added some capers, and black olives, diced , and made the dressing with lime juice, a little water sugar, spices that you like, salt ,pepper, or Lemon pepper, and Balsamic vinegar, with Extra virgin olive oil, you can put all these dressing ingredients in the blender to emulsify and then taste, if it needs more sugar or spice you can add, I didn't give the amounts, because it depends on how much you want to make but you can probably figure out the amounts, I just never measure anything, I just taste as I go along, but I am kind of nutty that way.

Answer 3

There is a really good recipe in Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals Volume 2. It's for "Pizza Pasta Salad" or something like that, and it has pepperoni and cheese and italian spices. Very tasty. I'd send you the recipe now, but I don't have the book on me.

Answer 4

If you want just a regular run of the mill pasta salad don't read this! If your looking for exceptional and different read on!


Bacon Ranch (BLT) Pasta Salad Recipe

1 (16 ounce) package small shell pasta
1 package ranch salad dressing (make a day ahead)
1 small bag shredded lettuce
4 roma tomatoes lg dice
1 cup real bacon crumbled
1/4cup sliced green onions

10-12 servings total

1 hour 20 minutes 20 mins prep

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain under cold water.
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, dressing, bacon bits, onions and garlic powder.
Toss to mix well.
Chill until ready to serve.
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Not Just Another Pasta Salad

Truly, a different, delicious pasta salad. So yummy I have had guests make a meal out of it. It is easily doubled to feed a large crowd. Wonderful served as a lunch with crusty bread.

1 (16 ounce) box spiral shaped pasta or shell pasta, cooked
2-3 roma tomatoes or tomatoes, seeded 1/2 inch diced
1/4 cup red onions, diced
3/4 cup pitted kalamata olives or canned olives, halved
1/8 cup sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted,chopped
1/2 cup cauliflower, small pieces
1/4 cup broccoli, small pieces
1/4 cup roasted red peppers, 1/2 inch diced
1/4 cup capers
3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

MAGIC SALAD DRESSING

4 cloves minced garlic
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons capers, reserve 1 t. liquid
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt

makes 8 servings

1 hour 1 hr prep

Combine all salad ingredients except parmesan cheese.
In a blender mix all dressing ingredients.
Pour enough dressing to moisten sald to your preference over salad and toss carefully, adding parmesan cheese.
NOTES: This recipe is NOT written in stone, feel free to up amounts or lessen them according to your likes and dislikes.
You should have extra dressing which will not be a problem as the dressing is delicious.
I serve the dressing on the side for those who like a wetter salad.

Well there you go, hope one of these two fit the bill. They are both good but we all have different tastes to! Good luck.

Answer 5

I have a couple.
The first one is a package of the rainbow rigatoni's, some string cheese (sliced), sliced black olives, Parmesan cheese, and some Italian dressing. Cook the pasta, drain and let cool. Mix the rest of the ingredients together. It's easy and yummy.

The other is large sea shell pasta, tuna fish, mayonnaise, tomatoes (chopped), celery (sliced), and Lawry's season salt. Cook the pasta, drain and let cool. Mix with the rest of the ingredients. Serve on a bed of lettuce.

Answer 6

OMG...my mom's friend makes THE best pasta salad I've ever eaten. She takes the big Elbow Mac shells (like the ones in velveeta shells and cheese), add some ranch dressing and a little italian dressing, with peas, carrots, chopped up turkey, lots of cheese, and bacon, It's sooo sooo good.

Answer 7

MEXICAN PASTA SALAD
1 pkg bow tie pasta (or penne or elbow)
1/4 cabbage, finely sliced
2 avocados, ripe, peeled and diced
1 bunch cilantro, finely diced
1/4 c diced celery
1/2 med. onion, diced
1 fresh jalapeno, seeds removed then diced
Mayo
salt/pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package.

While its cooking...
In a large bowl - Add the cabbage, then the cilantro, tomato, celery / onion, jalapeno and a dash of salt/pepper.
Mix well. Set aside.

When pasta is done, drain and allow to cool in fridge for at least 2 hour. (or cook day before and chill overnight). Add the avocado then 2 -3 tbsp of mayo or just enough to moisten to your taste.

Serve cold, Feeds 4-6

Answer 8

Penne pasta salad with steak and basil (serving size for two people)
1. 10 oz lean steak ( add some salt and pepper to your taste)
2. 1 cup of penne pasta (broil it with water, oil and salt)
3. basil leaves
4. 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
5. 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
6. 1 teaspoon of olive oil

Put the steak on the grill and cook it to your taste well done or under cook. (for medium ware you have to cook it 5 mins one side and 5 mins the other side) then cut it in to slices

mix the Dijon mustard the olive oil and the balsamic vinegar all together creating a nice sauce... you can add more if you like

get the pasta, toss it with the steak and basil leaves add the sauce to your taste.

I hope you like this one...

the other one which is my favorite is (and very easy)
Penne pasta and chicken

Cook the pasta
grill some chicken breast (put some salt and pepper on the chicken)
cut the chicken in squares
add some tomatoes (cut them in squares)
toss the pasta, the chicken and the tomatoes add mayonnaise to taste.

I hope this works for you

Answer 9

Greek Pasta Salad
Taste the earthy flavors of the Mediterranean in every bite of this colorful summer salad. Tangy feta cheese, fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and olives are tossed with spicy pepperoni and macaroni in an herb-infused vinaigrette.

INGREDIENTS:
Salad Dressing: follows recipe
2 1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
3 cups fresh sliced mushrooms, sauteed
15 cherry tomatoes, halved
10 sun-dred tomates, sliced thinly
12 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup sliced roasted red bell peppers
1 cup sliced roasted yellow bell peppers
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 (4 ounce) can whole Calamata olives
3/4 cup sliced pepperoni sausage, cut into strips





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DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl add cooked pasta, mushrooms, tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers, yellow peppers, garlic, feta cheese, green onions, olives, and pepperoni to salad dressing. Toss until evenly coated. Cover, and chill 2 hours or overnight.

Absolutely Fab Dressing

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup and 2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
1/3 cup and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

DIRECTIONS:
In a very large container, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, basil, pepper, salt, onion powder, and Dijon-style mustard. Pour in the vinegar, and mix vigorously until well blended. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Answer 10

I like to use the rainbow rotini or penne. It depends on what is on sale :) But the rainbow rotini tastes better. Then I add broccoli, cucumber, green pepper, tomato, red pepper, black olives, green onion and some carrot. Then I add my favorite italian dressing, garlic, and parmesean cheese. Mix it all together...then add some ground pepper and mozzerella...voila...pasta salad that is wicked good!!

Answer 11

Pasta salad is really up to you -put your favorite things in it. But the secret is you have to have enough dressing to be absorbed by your pasta. I enjoy raspberry vinigarette and fresh fruit.