Anyone have a good pasta salad recipe?

Question

I want something...other than my usual. We're taking a picnic over to our friends house tomorrow. I want something tasty and healthy!

Answer 1

This is a great recipe for picnic's and it doesn't require a cooler as it wont spoil. This is also a guesstimate recipe so you do not have to fiddle with much.

Cook Rotini  Pasta (spiral pasta) as directed

Pepperoni - cut in small bite size chunks or buy it diced either way it works

Onion - if you like it - diced

Cheese - any kind you like Sharp is good diced approximately same size as pepperoni, you can also use the crumbles they sell in the cheese isle.

Italian dressing

Cook Pasta accordingly let cool, toss cheese, pepperoni, onion and Italian dressing in a large bowl cool in fridge and eat. It is very good in the summer time (FL girl here) and wont spoil!!!!

Answer 2

yes i do!

you need:

spiral noodles

cherry tomatoes

green pepper

parmesan

pepper

lime juice

what you do:

mix the noodles, tomatoes and peppers

then sprinkle the parmesan and pepper

then a little squirt of lime juice then mix it again

and wha la(lol porbably spelled this wrong)!

Answer 3

mmmm YES.

ok soo.

you will need

pine nuts

dried cherries or cranberries.

arugula leaves

basil leaves

orzo

vegetable oil

lemons

so what you are going to do is fill a large pot with water and wait for it to boil. once boiling turn it down a bit and dump the orzo in. let that sit until the orzo is nice and soft. Next, put the orzo in a strainer and let it   drain. Now, take the pine nuts and put it in a small frying pan, greased. Cook the until a soft, golden, brown. Now, chop the cherries/ cranberries into halves. Now take the orzo from the strainer and spread it out on a cookie pan. now evenly dispense the  vegetable oil over the orzo, and let the orzo cool. once cooled, put the orzo in a large bowl. Now take your arugula and Basil leaves and break them into small, small pieces. Make sure the Basil is very small because it is very, very strong. Dump the torn leaves into the bowl. Now add the cherries/cranberries and the pine nuts and squirts of lemon juice. Mix, and your ready to go! its a perfect summer salad!!

Answer 4

To expand on Angelz recipe.  Use the cooked and cold-rinsed tri-colored pasta, zesty italian dressing, diced onion, green and red peppers, green or black olives, sliced pepperoni thick cut, drained diced tomatoes and cubed mozzerella, provalone, or pepper jack cheese.  Mix and chill.  Sprinkle with parmesan individually.

OR

Cook and cold-rinse elbow macaroni or shells (med size).  Cube a can of spam (easiest - you can use drained can of chicken or tuna, real diced ham - you get the picture), dill or polish dill pickles, onion, celery, carrots (opt), add a cup of thawed frozen peas, and cubed or shredded sharp cheddar cheese.  Mix well and in separate bowl, mix a gob (cup or two) miracle whip, 1-2 Tbs. of yellow mustard (squirt kind) and salt and pepper-mix up well.  Fold into the pasta salad until well mixed.  Chill.  Stir good before serving.

Answer 5

Maybe try a little Greek twist on it.........

1 lb Penne or Bow Tie Pasta

1 T salt (for pasta water)

1 tsp Dried or 2 tsp fresh Oregano chopped

1/2 cup pitted kalmatta, niciose or other mediterranean olives roughly chopped

1 lg cucumber (seeded and ends trimmed) cut into 1/2 inch dice

3 T extra virgin Olive Oil

1/2 lb cherry tomatoes quartered or grape tomatoes halved

2-3 oz feta cheese crumbles

Juice from 1/2 lemon (or lime)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Boil water with salt add pasta and cook until al dente or slightly better (package directions should help)

Drain pasta and let cool slightly in pan until warm

Add all remaining ingredients except tomatoes and feta, toss to combine. Transfer to a non reactive bowl (not copper or aluminum).

Let cool to room temperature, then cover and chill until a few minutes up to 1/2 hr before ready to serve.

Just prior to serving add tomatoes, feta and juice. Toss to combine.

Add olive oil if needed to loosen texture a bit.

Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy by itself or over a bed of greens with a warm crusty baguette!!!

  

Answer 6

cook bow tie pasta in salted water with no oil. drain and then toss in about 1/2 a cup of italian salad dressing (enough to lubricate and add flavor), some italian seasoning, a can of black olives, a jar of red pimento or chopped red bell pepper, some grated carrots and a jar of artichoke hearts.  You can add peas too and a scoop of pre-made pesto.



You can sub any veggies or ad or subtract.  You can do just pesto and olive oil, pesto and the italian dressing or just the italian dressing.  The recipe is very forgiving.  

Answer 7

This is the best pasta salad recipe...

Combine cooked rotini pasta with some diced pepperoni(you can use turkey pepperoni..it's low in fat, high in protein) cubed part-skim mozzerella cheese, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, thinly sliced red onions and fesh basil...then pour on zesty Italian dressing. Everyone is sure to love it.