I'm looking for a cold pasta salad recipe that is similar to a dish that was served at Mozzarella cafe. HELP!

Question

I live in Pittsburgh and there used to be a "Mozzarella Cafe" in the mall. The restaurant has changed names and menus a few times and my favorite dish was discontinued. I forget what they called it on the menu, but it was a cold pasta dish with small shell pasta, broccoli and shredded carrots. I think it had red onion, olive oil and some kind of vinegar in it. You could add chicken or shrimp to it. I am 4 months pregnant and craving this so badly, any help would be greatly appriciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

Perfectly Pasta Salad

INGREDIENTS
1 (16 ounce) package tri-colored pasta assortment
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 cup cauliflower, chopped
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup diced yellow pepper
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/2 (16 ounce) bottle vegetarian Caesar-style salad dressing
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil add pasta and boil until al dente. Drain well.
Place broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, celery, red onions, yellow peppers and black olives in a large mixing bowl. Pour Caesar salad dressing over vegetables and stir to coat the vegetables.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, pepper, garlic powder and paprika over the vegetable mixture. Stir. Pour pasta into the large bowl and mix well. Refrigerate until cool or serve hot.

Answer 2

Some of the ingredients you mentioned are in this recipe - hope it helps the cravings until you find the real thing...

"Original Ranch Winter Vegetable Salad" - about 6 cups

1 (1 oz.) packet Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing Mix
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tsp. sugar
7 cups assorted vegetable pieces such as broccoli, cauliflower and carrots

Combine dressing mix with vinegar, water, oil and sugar; set aside. Place vegetables in large resealable plastic bag or bowl. Pour dressing mixture over vegetables and shake well. Marinate in refrigerator 4 hours or overnight.
(Note: I guess you'll have to cook some seashell pasta, and incorporate it into the salad!)

Here's another "similar" one for you.

"Creamy Italian Spiral Salad" - 30 (3/4-cup) servings

2 (16 oz.) pkgs. multicolored spiral pasta
1 medium bunch broccoli; cut into flowerets
1 medium head cauliflower; cut into florets
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen peas and carrots; thawed
2 cups cherry tomatoes; quartered
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
6 green onions (scallions); chopped
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 (2 1/4 oz.) can sliced olives; drained
2 (16 oz.) bottles creamy Italian salad dressing

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, broccoli, cauliflower, peas and carrots, tomatoes, Parmesan, onions, green pepper and olives. Add the dressing; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until chilled.

Answer 3

Hot & Cold Pasta

9 ounces angel hair pasta
1 boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
1 1/4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, fine mince
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
6 black olives, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup chives, chopped
salt & pepper, to taste
Cook pasta according to directions. STAY CLOSE & WATCH. This pasta cooks in just minutes! Drain, rinse in cold water and set aside.
In large skillet, saute onion in medium-hot oil 3-5 minutes to soft-crisp stage. Add garlic and chicken, lowering heat to medium. Continue to cook until chicken is done. Stir frequently so garlic is just light brown and not burnt.
Add tomatoes, olives, vinegar. Stir.
Return pasta, along with chives, to pan, to heat.
Toss to dress pasta.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
This can now be served hot or allowed to chill and serve as a cold pasta salad.

Answer 4

Easy

1 box of the pasta you are craving
1/2 bottle of Paul Newman's Light Balsamic vinaigrette
1/2 bottle of Cesar dressing (Paul Newman)
fresh carrots
broccoli
black olives
purple onion
grape tomatoes.. and boil some chicken and shred once done.

Boil pasta- let cool in re-frig--- Then take out and add all ingredient and well la---- That tangy craving will be met.

Answer 5

Dressing:

1/3 cup of white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon of extra light olive oil
1 teaspoon of dill weed
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon of pepper

Salad:

5 ounces (2 cups) of rotini pasta
1 cup of sliced carrots
1 cup of cut fresh green beans (about 1" long)
1/2 cup of red bell pepper strips
4 green onions, sliced (about 1/2 cup)
8 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup of sliced cucumber
3 ounces (1/2 cup) of cubed mozzarella cheese

In a jar, combine all dressing ingredients, and shake well.

Cook pasta in 3 quarts of boiling water to desired doneness, adding carrots and green beans during the last 2-4 minutes of cooking time. Drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water to cool.

In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta mixture and the
remaining salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad; toss
gently.