Carolyns Pasta Salad Recipes

CLASSIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Strain pasta and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process; you don't want it to be mushy. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Add salad dressing, pepperoni, salami, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, feta cheese, black olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion to the pasta; toss to combine.
• Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

TANGY CATALINA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Run under cold water to chill, drain again.
• Toss together pasta, tuna, shrimp, onions, green pepper, celery, garlic salt, salad dressing, and relish. Add enough mayonnaise to thin out dressing, if desired.

SARAH'S PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain, and rinse under cold running water to cool.
• In a bowl, gently toss together pasta, avocado, tomato, dressing, and bacon. Chill until ready to serve.

ANOTHER CATALINA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to directions on package.
• While pasta is cooking chop up the green pepper.
• Once pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cold water until pasta is no longer warm.
• Empty into large bowl with the green peppers.
• Add 16 ounces of Catalina dressing and 1/2 cup of mayo and stir until pasta is completely coated. (It should have a creamy orange consistency).
• Add sliced hardboiled eggs and fold into pasta mixture (optional).
• Refrigerate overnight.
• About an hour before serving, pour in the last 8 ounces of Catalina dressing and stir well. (more mayo can be added if desired).

CATALINA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil pasta according to package directions.
• I usually add the baby carrots to the pasta about midway thru cooking.
• Place frozen peas in a large colinder and dump cooked pasta& carrots on top.
• Let drain.
• When carrots have cooled, I slice them in half lengthwise.
• Place pasta, peas& carrots in a large mixing bowl.
• Add miracle whip and catalina dressing until moistened.
• Sorry, I have no measurements as this is how I got the recipe.
• You just have to keep tasting and adding until you find the right taste.
• I like mine with more Catalina than Miracle Whip.
• I like to chill mine at least an hour before serving.
• Prior to serving add cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.
• After it chills, you may need to add more Catalina and/or Miracle Whip.
• If you make this the day before, don't add your cucumbers and tomatoes-it will make it watery.
• Feel free to change up your vegetables!

PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Combine vinegar, garlic, oregano and a big pinch each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in oil; taste and add more salt, pepper or vinegar as needed. Set aside.
• Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until the pasta is al dente. Drain well, transfer to the large bowl, and toss with the dressing while still warm.
• Add tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, olives, cucumber and onion to the bowl and toss well; fold in herbs. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and vinegar, if you like.
• Drizzle with olive oil and top with cracked black pepper just before serving.

CAROLYN'S PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• cook up noodles until soft & tender, rinse & cool down til' almost cold. cut up all the remaining ingredients into small pea-size pieces. mix all ingredients into large bowl with cooled-down noodles, then serve.
• (optional: I used the artichoke juice from the jar when mixing it in w/ the salad dressing).