FREEZE AHEAD ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Freeze Ahead Italian Pasta Salad image

This recipe is adapted from Sue Gregg's cookbook. This recipe goes together fast. Add fresh vegetables on serving day, based on what you have on hand... tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, etc. if desired.

Provided by TishT

Time 20m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 cups rainbow rotini pasta
2 cups broccoli, fresh individually frozen
15 ounces kidney beans
2 ounces black olives, sliced
7 ounces artichoke hearts
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup newman own salad dressing
6 ounces canned tuna fish, drained (optional)
1 cup chicken, cooked and cubed (optional)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
1 cup other cheese, cubed (optional)

Steps:

Cook rotini per package directions.
If using fresh broccoli, add it to the cooking pasta for the last two minutes.
Rinse pasta (and broccoli) in cold water.
Open cans of beans, olives, artichoke hearts and mushrooms and drain them.
Cut artichoke hearts into sixths, or smaller if you prefer.
Mix pasta, broccoli, beans, olives, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and green onions in a large bowl.
Add salad dressing and stir to mix.
To Freeze: Divide into freezer bags, based on the size of your family, and if you’ll serve this as a side dish or a main dish.
Seal, label and freeze.
To Serve: Thaw bag in refrigerator for 24 hours.
Shake the bag a few times before serving.
Add any of the optional ingredients, stir and serve.
Since this dish is served cold, and the pasta isn’t re-heated, don’t under-cook it.
Cook it al dente per package directions.
Some of the salad dressing will be absorbed by the salad while it’s frozen.
You may need to add a fresh shake or two of dressing before serving, especially if you add any extra ingredients.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 161.4, Fat 2.6, SaturatedFat 0.6, Cholesterol 7.3, Sodium 343.3, Carbohydrate 28.5, Fiber 4.5, Sugar 3.3, Protein 7.5

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