The Best Homemade Pasta Salad Recipes

PASTA SALAD WITH HOMEMADE DRESSING

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
• In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, pepperoni, provolone cheese, red onion, cucumber, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, olives, parsley, and Parmesan cheese.
• In a jar with a lid, mix the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, basil, oregano, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Seal jar, and shake well.
• Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta salad, and toss to coat. Cover, and chill 8 hours in the refrigerator

THE BEST PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to directions, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While pasta is cooking, chop tomato, peppers and onion into very small pieces. Add olives and mix.
• Drain Rotini; rinse with cold water for about 3 minutes.
• Mix pasta with tomato, peppers, onion and olives.
• Refrigerate for about 1/2 an hour.
• Add salad dressing; mix well.
• Add Parmesan cheese; mix well.
• Serve immediately.
• If you have left overs, you will have to "re-wet" salad by adding a little more salad dressing the next day, especially if you substitute the dressing with a fat-free dressing.

BEST EVER PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Combine pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, mayonnaise, sour cream, dill weed and lemon pepper. Serve as is or chill for 45 minutes.

MEXICAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Rinsing with cold water will help prevent it from sticking together. Set aside and allow to cool and dry completely. When dry, add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green onions, onion and cilantro. In a separate bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients and add to pasta mixture.
• Stir together until everything is evenly coated in sauce. You can either stir the Feta cheese into the salad or use it as a garnish on top. Taste and adjust any ingredients as needed. Refrigerate until ready to use. This is best served on the day it is made. Serves 8-12 people.

QUICK AND EASY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, 6 to 10 minutes (check the package for recommended cook time). Drain and rinse well under cold water.
• While the pasta cooks, in the bottom of a large bowl, make the dressing. Whisk the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano, pepperoncini juice (if using), and the olive oil until blended. Add the drained and rinsed pasta to the dressing and mix well.
• Stir in the bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, scallions, pepperoncini (if using), olives, parmesan, mozzarella, and the herbs (if using). Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Serve or for the best results, cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 5 days.

BEST POTLUCK PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil over HIGH heat. Salt the water with about a tablespoon of salt. Add pasta and cook until just al dente (according to package instructions).
• Drain pasta and toss with a light drizzle of olive oil. Set aside to cool slightly.
• While pasta is cooling, chop tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Set aside in a large mixing bowl and add capers to the bowl.
• Add dressing ingredients, except for olive oil, to a bowl and whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly pour in the olive oil, and continue whisking until completely combined. Taste and adjust salt and pepper accordingly.
• Add the cooked pasta and crumbled feta cheese to the large bowl with the vegetables. Pour dressing over the top and toss to combine.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours, up to 2 days.
• Serve cold or at room temperature, and enjoy!

THE BEST CREAMY PASTA SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Rinse well with cold water until pasta is cold.
• Place cooked and cooled pasta in a large mixing or serving bowl.
• Mix in broccoli florets, red onion, red bell pepper, cucumber, sliced olives and cheese.
• Whisk together all dressing ingredients and pour over pasta and other ingredients.
• Gently fold in dressing until all ingredients are evenly coated.
• Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

THE BEST HOMEMADE PASTA SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente.
• Drain pasta and rinse in cold water.
• Toss cold pasta with remaining ingredients until well combined.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

BEST BLT PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fry bacon until crisp, place on paper toweling to drain.
• Cook pasta following package directions.
• While pasta is cooking crumble bacon, chop tomatoes, and green onion.
• Drain pasta and run under cold water.
• Add pasta, tomatoes, bacon, and green onion to a large bowl and stir to combine.
• Place all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
• Pour dressing over pasta and stir until thoroughly combined.
• Shred lettuce just before serving. Add it to the salad; giving it one last good stir.
• Refrigerate.