Best Not Your Mamas Pasta Salad Recipes

NOT YOUR MAMA'S PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Cook pasta. Rinse in cold water to cool. Drain well.
• 2. In a very large bowl, mix all ingredients together. Add dressing. If you are not serving until the next day, I recommend withholding the tomatoes, cucumber and cheese until shortly before serving, to prevent them from getting too soft or mushy. As this sits, especially if you prepare it the night before, you will find it soaks up the dressing and you will need to add more. Start with one bottle of dressing and go from there. You want it coated well, but not sitting in a pool of dressing.
• 3. Note: I believe my cousin used kalamata olives. I like them ok, but I love green olives, so I use green olives in their place. Experiment with the varieties you love! Enjoy! P.S. If you want a healthier version, omit the salami and/or use chopped chicken breast.

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in boiling water according to package instructions until the pasta is cooked to al dante (don't forget to salt your water). Drain
• In a large bowl, mix the pasta with the tomatoes, chopped veggies, artichoke hearts, olives, pepperoncini, salami, mozzarella, and fresh herbs.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the dressing ingredients together.
• Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss to coat.

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.

MAMA MIA'S MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Boil and drain pasta- set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Mix together in a bowl all of the ingredients except for the bell pepper, onion, and cheese.
• Mix the sauce with the pasta.
• Add in the chopped bell pepper, onion, and cheddar cheese.
• Refrigerate and enjoy!

NOT YOUR MAMA'S CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• FIRST: Prepare herb dressing.
• Using a hand mixer, beat yogurt and sour cream together well.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.
• Thaw skinless/boneless breasts, if necessary.
• Put them in a large, sealable container with 1/3 of the dressing and marinate in the fridge for a few hours.
• Cook on hot grill, but be careful to not OVERCOOK, otherwise all you'll be able to taste is the charred chicken.
• Cool and cut into bite sized pieces.
• Toss with grapes, almonds, parsley, mayo and remaining herb dressing (amount of dressing varies to your desired consistency).
• Chill.
• Serve alone or on bed of greens with nice, crusty bread and a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade.
• YUMMY.

NOT YOUR MOMMA'S POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place potatoes in large pot of cold salted water and bring to a boil.
• Cook potatoes until they are tender, drain and cool.
• In a large bowl combine the miracle whip, sour cream, mustard, chili powder and cayenne pepper, stir to blend then add the cooled potatoes and toss gently.
• Next you will add the bacon, red and yellow peppers, green onions and cheese, toss gently, cover and put in refrigerator to chill for about 1 hour.
• When ready to serve garnish your potato salad with the chives, cheese and chili powder.