SDMomof3 Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 My kids are really into pasta salads lately. With the summer heat, cold pasta salad has been great for lunch or dinner. Do you have recipes to share? Bonus if it keeps well in the fridge. My dd loves bringing pasta salads for lunch. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 8 minutes ago, SDMomof3 said: My kids are really into pasta salads lately. With the summer heat, cold pasta salad has been great for lunch or dinner. Do you have recipes to share? Bonus if it keeps well in the fridge. My dd loves bringing pasta salads for lunch. I’m sure I saw an article like this in a food network magazine...but a good way to “wing it” is to decide if you want creamy or oil based dressing. Then pick a pasta shape. I think rotini or elbows or shells work well with most pasta salads. Next pick a “flavor profile” So Italian or Mexican or Ranch, etc Finally, add your veggies, meats, cheeses and maybe a crunchy topping. So...Italian with olives, green pepper, onion pepperoni, mozzarella balls Ranch with bacon, broccoli, cheddar etc... One of my favorites is macaroni, mayo, celery, red onion and tuna. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Here is my "recipe": spiral pasta creamy Italian salad dressing Parmesan cheese cheese cubes grape tomatoes pepperoni slices (quartered) diced bell peppers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 My favorite easy one is cheese tortellini, fresh tomato, fresh basil, and some olive oil. It’s extra good if you add a little balsamic vinegar and some Parmesan cheese. Think of it as a hearty caprese salad that keeps well in the fridge. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 I like to use cheese tortellini, mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, black olives and hard salami. Make a dressing out of equal parts Italian dressing and basil pesto (purchased works great). Toss and eat! It's fantastic fresh or a few days old from the fridge. If you eat onions, red onions are a nice addition. Sometimes I'll add broccoli or red bell pepper. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 -pound of pasta, cooked & rinsed -pound of frozen stir fry veggies, dumped into boiling pasta water 1-2 minutes before the noodles are ready. I like the kind with asparagus and red bell peppers best -packet or two of ranch dressing mix -2T or so avocado or olive oil -Option of any protein you want if you want a main dish. I prefer black beans, DH prefers diced chicken. Mix together until veggies & pasta are coated in oil & the powdered dressing dissolves. You can eat it hot if you’re in a hurry. It’s best at least 2 hours chilled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Ohhh, a recipe like this used to be on the back of a couscous canister, but I can’t remember the brand. It keeps well in the fridge and can be a whole meal. You could always add chicken or chickpeas for more protein. https://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/mediterranean-couscous-salad/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saraha Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 (edited) We love pasta salad! spiral pasta with honey mustard salad dressing, cut up chicken tenders, whatever veg on hand, shredded cheese we like traditional macaroni salad but only make half as much dressing so it’s not swimming taco pasta salad- taco seasoning stirred into a Mayo/vinegar dressing over spiral pasta, tomatoes, olives, shredded cheese, diced onion, black beans not a pasta salad but the taco salad made with Catalina dressing and Doritos is a big favorite! Edited June 28, 2021 by saraha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisha Posted June 28, 2021 Share Posted June 28, 2021 Mexican: 1lb pasta Dressing: 1 cup salsa, 1 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, salt and pepper Add in's: 1 can corn, drained; 1 can black beans, drained; 1 red pepper, diced; 1 can black olives; diced tomatoes (about 4 romas or 2 larger); 1-2 cups shredded mexican cheese; chopped onions-not sure how much as we don't like onions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkTulip Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 This is my absolute favorite: https://www.kiwiandcarrot.com/lemon-orzo-pasta-salad/ 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 Love this one: https://monkeyandmekitchenadventures.com/vegan-green-goddess-pasta-salad/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 One of our favorites is a family tuna pasta salad recipe... I don't have an exact recipe, but I'll try: One box small pasta shells, cooked. Add one can tuna, drained. (You can add two if you want, but I like it less tuna-y.) Then add mayo. I usually add around 1/2 cup. (I think the original recipe called for more, but I like less.) Mix in about 1/4 cup chopped onion, about 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional), and salt and pepper to taste. Add chopped squares of sharp cheddar cheese, around 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch, or smaller. (To your liking!) I generally add about 4 ounces, but can be more. Once that's all mixed, I add lots of lemon juice to flavor. Chill for several hours if you can. Right before serving, add one cup frozen peas and serve immediately. I always sprinkle extra pepper into it at the end. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1234 Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 I rotate these two through the summer. https://www.loveandlemons.com/pasta-salad/ https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a47091/tuscan-tortellini-salad-recipe/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmasc Posted June 29, 2021 Share Posted June 29, 2021 (edited) This is one of my favorites. Edited June 29, 2021 by mmasc Because even 6 word sentences are hard 🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinball Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 This is really good. it gives me the vibe of a ploughman’s lunch, but in a bowl. LOL you have to use great pickles, though! https://www.spendwithpennies.com/dill-pickle-pasta-salad/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 43 minutes ago, pinball said: This is really good. it gives me the vibe of a ploughman’s lunch, but in a bowl. LOL you have to use great pickles, though! https://www.spendwithpennies.com/dill-pickle-pasta-salad/ Not only does this sound amazing, but if you scroll down she's got a whole collection of pasta salad recipes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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