LauraGB Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 I want to start making more main dish pasta salads this summer. However, if that's all I serve, my family will not be thanking me (and they'll be starving when they are done). What, other than fruit, can I serve to round the meal out? I can serve them with crunchy bread, and likely will, but all the carbs between the pasta and the bread isn't what I'd like to be the thing to fill them up. Suggestions? Summer soups, maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara in AZ Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 I try to serve a big fruit salad when it's pasta salad night. On occasion I might make corn bread muffins. Though, that doesn't help with the carbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Gazpacho or another summer soup to start and nuts & cheese course to finish for a bit of protein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Forgot to mention that if you use a high-protein pasta like Barilla Plus, it'll make the salad more filling & nutritious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 A nice cheese & cracker tray would provide protein. Like others, my first thoughts are fruit and bread. Or throw some chopped grilled chicken or beans into your pasta salad. I think adding a serving of soup would be good, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted May 28, 2010 Author Share Posted May 28, 2010 I never thought of serving it with nuts and cheese or cheese and crackers. Those are very good ideas. And the crackers - that would be even better than bread for some of the salads! Dh suggested grilled fish, which is good, but he's grilling the fish. My objective is to not turn on the oven ;). Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Baked beans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 I want to start making more main dish pasta salads this summer. However, if that's all I serve, my family will not be thanking me (and they'll be starving when they are done). What, other than fruit, can I serve to round the meal out? I can serve them with crunchy bread, and likely will, but all the carbs between the pasta and the bread isn't what I'd like to be the thing to fill them up. Suggestions? Summer soups, maybe? laura, i need a little more info than what your giving ;) for instance, i'll make a pasta salad this way. boil pasta and some vegetables together (frozen smaller veggies like the combo: corn, pea, gr. bean, carrot, lima OR dice up a few fresh garden vegetables like carrot, cucumber or zucchini, etc drain and cool after cooled mix with a jar of alfredo sauce ** here you can keep it vegetarian or add some chicken that you previously boiled, drained and cooled down to dice mix above well and layer on top a bed of salad greens sprinke with a little parmesan cheese and or diced tomatoes and/or nuts like almonds or pecans serve with cornbread and a fruit cup HTH sheryl <>< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryCatherine Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 (edited) Cold ham (not your average side dish :)), cold fried chicken (same), baked beans. Add bacon and cheese to the pasta salad. Baked sweet potatoes. Fried okra. Broccoli. Asparagus. Sliced tomatoes. Deviled eggs. Pimento cheese sandwiches. If you'll excuse me now, I am suddenly hungry..... Edited May 28, 2010 by MaryCatherine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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