Simple pasta salad recipe

I'm in need of a simple cold pasta salad recipe. I usually just pour some Italian dressing over my pasta salad but it doesn't always have very robust flavor. I'm looking for a tasty recipe to use for a BBQ.

Thanks!

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

Oh i have an AWESOME one.
I have to find the recipe.
Hang on

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

Ok this is it

I change it up a bit though:

Instead of the olive oil and garlic and lemon I use a bottle of Zesty Italian Dressing (any brand is fine as long as it says Zesty). That really adds a punch of flavor. (and avoids you have to sautee garlic, etc)

For ease ,you can buy the small fresh mozz balls and toss them in rather than cutting up the larger balls

I also add in roasted red peppers from the jar (cut up). Gives it a great kick.

I also add olives

The argula, cut up really small, adds such a nice zip.

Barilla Tri Color Penne Pasta Salad

Oh and make it the night before and let it sit overnight in the dressing- before serving stir and add more dressing as it will soak it up.
This really kicks up the flavor

Message edited 4/30/2015 2:07:34 PM.

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

I do elbow pasta and add cut up vegetables very tiny like olives (green and black), celery, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, cucumbers, etc. and then I mix it with Newman's Own dressing. I put A LOT of dressing on. Some beforehand and then some right before I serve it. We love it.

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

This one is good and a little different. Spinach and Orzo salad

If I do a more traditional pasta salad I use a zesty italian dressing like pp suggested and also add a sprinkle and garlic powder, onion powder, s&p to give it more flavor. You could probably do some fresh herbs for extra flavor too.

Simple pasta salad recipe

Fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes and basil with olive oil and a little balsamic

Baby spinach, feta, olives, cucumber, pepperocini, tomatoes with Greek dressing.

Tomatoes, peppers, black beans, corn, cilantro, shredded Mexican blend cheese with a creamy chipotle dressing (Marie's makes a good one)

Less easy: roasted veggies- eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus roasted with olive oil and rosemary with goat cheese in a balsamic vinaigrette.

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

My fave - chop and steam broccoli, carrots and red peppers. Gotta do it separately though cuz they take different amounts of time. Then add all the vegetables to tortellini and chop a clove of garlic and red onion. Add olive oil and salt and Parmesan cheese. Let sit in fridge

Simple pasta salad recipe

Frozen peas and carrots, cook until tender.
Broccoli florets, lightly steamed, cut really small
Diced red or orange bell pepper
Red kidney beans, drained
Sliced olives
Cooked pasta, drained and rinsed

Toss all of those together, then mix with
Good Seasons dressing of your choice (I love Zesty Italian), overnight in fridge.
Keep some dressing on the side because the pasta "drinks" the dressing

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

1 box tri color rotini pasta (cooked aldente)
1 jar of giardiniera salad (cut up into bite sized pcs) use about 1/2 to 3/4 of the juice in the jar as well
1 jar of roasted peppers (cut up into bite sized pcs)
1 can sliced black olives or 1/2 can large olives sliced
1/2 red onion chopped small
Mozzarella chunked or balls
Olive oil (add as much as you need to counter the acid in the juice from giardiniera salad)

If you need more acid, add some white vinegar

Salt & Pepper to taste.

You can also add other meats and cheeses turning into a antipasto salad as well.

It's delicious!!!

Message edited 5/4/2015 11:02:33 AM.

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

This recipe is super simple and delicious!

Creamy Summer Pasta Salad

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

I toss the dressing with warm pasta so the pasta soaks it up, then let cool before adding the other ingredients.
It's pretty much what I have on hand, usually mozzarella balls, zucchini and/or yellow squash or string beans, grape tomatoes, sweet onion, fresh chopped parsley.

Dressing is my own, a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt.

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

you could also try using a different type of pasta. Like substitute out rotini for totellini.

I did this last week and it came out great. Just cold tortellini, chopped yellow and orange peppers, avocado, olives, mozzarella, with salt, pepper, olive oil and some balsamic.

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

Greek Pasta Salad

1 (20 ounce) package refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in half
1 large cucumber, chopped
1 cup kalamata olives, pit removed and chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

For the Dressing:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste

directions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tortellini according to the package directions. Drain the tortellini and rinse with cold water.

2. Place the tortellini in a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion, and feta cheese.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir until salad is well coated. Serve immediately or place in the refrigerator.

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

I friend just brought a great one to our last BBQ. It was pretty simple but gad pieces of sharp provolone and Parmesan cheese. It was delish.

Re: Simple pasta salad recipe

I have two "go-to" pasta salads for the summer.

1) Marinated mozzarella balls, fresh tomatoes (diced), fresh basil (torn), and penne or bowtie pasta (cooled). Cut the mozzarella balls in half and toss them with everything else, using the oil they are sitting in as your "dressing". Add salt and black pepper to taste.

2) Sicilian cracked green olives (from Italian deli), black olives, red pepper (diced), red onion (diced), fresh parsley, and cheese tortellini (cooled). Slice/chop the olives up and toss everything together using the oil from the green olives as your "dressing". Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.

Both are DELISH!