Erins Cold Pasta Salad Recipes

EASY COLD PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the rotini, and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and cool by running cold water over the pasta in a colander set in the sink.
• Combine cooked and cooled pasta with the cucumbers, onion, tomatoes, and olives in a large bowl. Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

ERIN'S COLD PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse with cold water.
• Add olives, artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes and feta cheese.
• Pour dressing over mixture, toss well and refrigerate.
• You may use more dressing after chilling for a bit, if needed.
• (cooking time is chilling time, and is better if chilled over night).

ANTIPASTO COLD PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta to al dente firmness according to package instructions. Drain and rinse pasta under cold water, then transfer to very large mixing bowl.
• Mince yellow onion and transfer to mixing bowl.
• Drain mushroom pieces and transfer to mixing bowl.
• Drain olives, slice finely, and transfer to mixing bowl.
• Cut pepperoni in half and transfer to mixing bowl; be sure to separate pieces if needed.
• Cut bar cheese into little cubes no more than 1/2" on a side; transfer to mixing bowl.
• Cut sun dried tomatoes into little pieces no more than 1/2" on a side; transfer to mixing bowl.
• Drain roasted red pepper slices and cut them into little pieces no more than 1/2" on a side; transfer to mixing bowl.
• Pour entire bottle of zesty Italian dressing into mixing bowl and mix ingredients thoroughly before refrigerating.

ERINS FAMOUS MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring large pot of well salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta. Cook until al dente, according to package instructions.
• While pasta is cooking halve the tomatoes, thinly slice the celery and peel the carrots. After you have peeled the outer layer from the carrots continue peeling until you get to the thin center and can't peel anymore. Toss the tomatoes, celery and carrot shreds into a large bowl (big enough to mix all the ingredients with the pasta)
• Once pasta is cooked, drain well and run under ice cold water until pasta is fully cooled.
• Add pasta to tomato, celery and carrot and toss. Add mayo, vinegar and sugar. You may have to adjust these according to your preferences but these are the minimum amounts you will need. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate over night. You my need to add more mayo and vinegar after the macaroni has absorbed most of it while in the fridge, I've found that if I add too much of the dressing in the beginning it just gets soggy and adding it little by little as I'm serving it helps keep the integrity of the pasta.