Best Perfect Pasta Salad Recipes

THE PERFECT PICNIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, rice vinegar, salt, sugar, and cayenne together in a large bowl for about 30 seconds. Whisk in olive oil in 1-teaspoon increments until emulsified. Whisk in tarragon, dill, parsley, chives, and thyme. Remove and reserve 1/2 of the dressing in a separate small bowl.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Add snow peas, carrots, peas, and broccoli about 2 minutes before the pasta is done. Drain pasta and veggies well, but do not rinse.
• Transfer hot pasta mixture to the vinaigrette in the large mixing bowl and toss well to combine. Let rest for 5 minutes and toss again. Toss occasionally until the mixture is almost room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, green onions, salt, and the reserved dressing and toss well.
• Wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours before serving. Toss and adjust seasoning before serving.

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!

MAYA'S PERFECT PESTO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook fusilli in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
• Combine basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, oil, and garlic in a food processor; blend to make pesto.
• Toss pasta with pesto and mix in red onion, radicchio, and mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

PERFECT SPICY SAUSAGE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook Pasta in the usual way.
• Drain.
• Mix together the Pasta, chopped Spring Onions and sliced Beer Sticks.
• Add Thousand Island Dressing and mix through.

HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT BLACK BEAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil pasta in salted water for about 6 to 8 minutes.
• In the meantime prepare the guacamole.
• Peel and mash the avocado in a bowl. Add in all the herbs and spices and mix well.
• Finely chop the onion, remove the seeds and pulp from the tomato, chop it and add them both in the avocado bowl.
• Strain the pasta, place it in a bowl and top it with dollops of guacamole.

THE PERFECT PASTA SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend with a mixer on high for about a minute -- it should be creamy and thick in appearance.
• Refrigerate for an hour or so before using.
• Note: the onion powder quantity is actually a "dash".

MEDITERRANEAN PASTA SALAD : PERFECT FOR SUMMER PICNICS OR YOUR BBQ PARTIES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and a Tbsp of EVOO to it. Add the pasta and cook until al dente; drain, Keep it aside. (Or just follow direction on your package)
• Meanwhile while your pasta is cooking, put 2 Tbsp of EVOO in a pan on medium heat and sauté diced shallots, season with some salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes
• Now add chopped garlic and sauté for just 30 seconds. Do not let it cook for longer because you do not want to lose garlic flavor.
• Now add Garbanzo beans and let it cook for 5 more minutes. After 5 minutes add chopped artichoke hearts, parsley and sun-dried tomatoes. Let it cook for 7 more minutes so all the flavors from artichokes and tomatoes will get into Garbanzo beans.
• Now it's time to add cooked pasta, 1/2 teaspoon salt (If needed) and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Mix it nicely so it covers all the pasta, now add feta cheese, olives and mix nicely again!!
• Now time to taste and adjust salt amount!! It's ready to serve. But remember to garnish with some feta cheese, some parsley and some freshly ground black pepper before serving. Serve hot or cold....It's enjoyable either way. Perfect for winter and summer!! So including preparation and cooking time it takes about 20 minutes...not bad at all for a healthy home cooked meal!! What say? Enjoy!

VALERIE BERTINELLI MAKES GINGER-MISO PASTA SALAD THAT'S PERFECT FOR PICNICS

Steps:

• For the salad:
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add in the pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente. When the pasta is al dente, add in the broccoli and cook for 1 minute before draining. Drain and let cool slightly.
• For the dressing:
• Add all the ingredients to a Mason jar, cover and shake to emulsify. Set aside.
• To assemble:
• Add the cucumbers, bell pepper, edamame and carrot to a large bowl. Add in the slightly cooled pasta and broccoli. Pour the dressing onto the salad and toss to combine. Garnish with chopped chives and sesame seeds.

THE PERFECT PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil.
• Add the pasta and garlic, and simmer for about 5-7 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, and drain.
• Put the garlic to one side for the dressing.
• Put the pasta in a bowl.
• Cut the tomatoes, cucumber, into small pieces about a quarter the size of the pasta.
• Roughly chop the basil and chives.
• Place the tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, basil, and chives in the bowl with the pasta.
• Using a fork mash the cooked garlic on a cutting board with a little salt, add to the pasta.
• Add the oil, vinegar and seasoning.