Not Your Usual Pasta Salad Recipes

NOT YOUR USUAL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook shell pasta at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on paper towels; crumble.
• Whisk creamy salad dressing, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, and oregano together in a bowl to make a creamy dressing.
• Mix pasta, bacon, red onion, water chestnuts, eggs, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, celery, olives, Cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese together in a large bowl. Add dressing and stir to coat. Chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving.

NOT YOUR USUAL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook shell pasta at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on paper towels; crumble.
• Whisk creamy salad dressing, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, and oregano together in a bowl to make a creamy dressing.
• Mix pasta, bacon, red onion, water chestnuts, eggs, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, celery, olives, Cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese together in a large bowl. Add dressing and stir to coat. Chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving.

NOT YOUR USUAL FOUR CHEESE PASTA

Steps:

• Do ahead: Combine the tomatoes, basil, salt, and minced garlic. Let stand at room temperature for one to two hours, stirring occasionally.
• In another bowl, mix ricotta with the whipping cream and season with the nutmeg and pepper. Add the fontina and mozzarella cheeses. Let stand while cooking pasta.
• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. While the pasta cooks, drain most of the liquid from the tomato mixture above, leaving it just moist. When ready, drain pasta.
• In large bowl, add the hot pasta, the 2 tablespoons olive oil, and the cheese mixture. Toss till cheese melts. Spoon tomato mixture across the top but do not stir yet.
• At table, toss the pasta mixture and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese just before serving.

NOT JUST ANOTHER PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all salad ingredients except parmesan cheese.
• In a blender mix all dressing ingredients.
• Pour enough dressing to moisten sald to your preference over salad and toss carefully, adding parmesan cheese.
• NOTES: This recipe is NOT written in stone, feel free to up amounts or lessen them according to your likes and dislikes.
• You should have extra dressing which will not be a problem as the dressing is delicious.
• I serve the dressing on the side for those who like a wetter salad.