Perfectly Pasta Salad Recipes

PERFECT PASTA SALAD:

Steps:

• Mix together dressing first and set aside until sugar is dissolved completely.
• Cook pasta according to box directions and rinse under cold water until cool.
• Slice the sliced pepperoni circles in half and separate slices.
• Mix together with pasta and chopped items, except the provolone cheese.
• Pour dressing over it all and mix well.
• Chill well.
• Add provolone cheese to salad before serving, otherwise it gets soggy.
• You may have to add extra red wine vinegar or olive oil to get it to the desired consistency.
• Some people like it moist, others on the drier side.
• This is guaranteed not to last long before it is completely devoured!
• Enjoy!

PERFECTLY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil add pasta and boil until al dente. Drain well.
• Place broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, celery, red onions, yellow peppers and black olives in a large mixing bowl. Pour Caesar salad dressing over vegetables and stir to coat the vegetables.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, pepper, garlic powder and paprika over the vegetable mixture. Stir. Pour pasta into the large bowl and mix well. Refrigerate until cool or serve hot.

EASY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Toss 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 garlic clove, finely grated, 1 lb. summer squash and/or zucchini, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise, ½ cup coarsely chopped banana peppers, 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, 1¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl to combine. Using your hands, gently massage vegetables to soften slightly. Let sit at room temperature, stirring occasionally, 25 minutes.
• Cook 1 lb. orecchiette or other small pasta in a large pot of boiling heavily salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain in a colander, shaking to remove excess water.
• Add pasta, 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved, 1 cup halved pitted Kalamata olives, ½ cup finely grated Parmesan, and ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil to vegetable mixture; toss well to combine. Add 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces, 1 cup (packed) coarsely chopped basil, and ½ cup finely chopped oregano and toss gently just to incorporate. Taste pasta salad and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
• Just before serving, top pasta salad with more Parmesan, basil, and oregano. Do ahead: Pasta salad (without toppings) can be made 5 hours ahead. Cover and chill.

ITALIAN DELI 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, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Combine pasta, tomatoes, provolone cheese, salami, pepperoni, capicola, onion, olives, giardiniera, Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 of the Italian dressing in a large bowl. Stir to combine and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Before serving, add some or all of the remaining dressing.