Best Trishas Pasta Salad Recipes

ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the stock, cover and bring to a boil. Then add the orzo and cook, stirring frequently, until al dente, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the orzo in a colander and allow to cool completely.
• In a large bowl, toss together the orzo, chickpeas, tomatoes, feta, olives, vinegar, oil, onion and salt and pepper to taste. Toss in the mint. Serve at room temperature.

SPRING GARDEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Set aside.
• For the dressing: Meanwhile, add the peppers, vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper and roasted garlic to the carafe of a blender. Turn the blender to high and blend until the peppers are pureed and the ingredients are incorporated. Once the mixture is smooth, reduce the speed to low. Remove the cap inside the blender top and slowly drizzle in the olive oil to emulsify the mixture into a thick and shiny dressing.
• Pour the dressing over the warm pasta. Add the sliced fennel and toss to combine. Pour into a serving dish.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the spring vegetables: the baby kale, snow peas, radishes and 1/4 cup of the fennel fronds. Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Gently toss, then place in a mound over the dressed pasta mixture in the serving dish. Garnish with edible flowers if using.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Wrap the garlic cloves in aluminum foil. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes. Let cool. Refrigerate the cloves in an airtight container. Peel right before using.

GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, drain the tomatoes (reserving the juice for another use if desired). Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until aromatic, 1 to 2 minutes. Crush the tomatoes with your hand, adding them to the saucepan as you go. Season with salt and pepper. Add the basil and parsley sprigs (reserve the chopped herbs for later) and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook at a very low simmer for about 15 minutes or until ready to serve.
• While the sauce cooks, heat a large double-burner grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss the pepper, squash, zucchini and onion with the remaining tablespoon olive oil, making sure to coat all sides. Sprinkle with salt and grill, turning once, until well-marked and crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on the vegetable. Transfer the onion to a large mixing bowl. Transfer the pepper, squash and zucchini to a cutting board and cut crosswise into strips. Add to the bowl with the onion and cover with foil.
• Cook the penne in the boiling water according to package directions. Drain and add to the bowl with the vegetables. Remove the herb sprigs from the sauce and stir in half of the chopped herbs. Add to the bowl and toss to coat.
• Serve the pasta in bowls topped with the remaining chopped herbs and Parmesan.

PICNIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to boil and add a generous amount of salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package directions.
• Meanwhile, prepare the vinaigrette. Zest 1 lemon into a large mixing bowl. Add the juice of both lemons, honey and some salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. While continuing to whisk, slowly pour in the olive oil to emulsify the mixture into a light dressing.
• When the pasta is cooked, drain and immediately pour into the large mixing bowl with the lemon-honey vinaigrette. Toss the pasta with the walnuts, apricots, lemon thyme, mint and radicchio. Gently toss to combine and pour into a serving dish. Serve at room temperature or store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

AUNT TRISH'S SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Place the olive oil, Parmesan, salt, pepper to taste, sugar, paprika, lemon juice and garlic into a jar. Shake it up and store in the fridge at least 24 hours before serving.
• Serve the dressing with green lettuce leaves, sliced red onions and halved grape tomatoes. Also works well on pasta salad.

MINTY GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the feta cheese, tomatoes, olives and cucumbers. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Pour the dressing mixture over the vegetables. Garnish with the mint.

TRISHA'S PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 9 minutes, or until it is tender; you don't want it too al dente. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a mixing bowl. When the pasta has cooled to room temperature, add the cheese, olive oil, tomatoes, broccoli, and bell pepper, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper and mix again. Top with the sunflower kernels.

TRISHA'S PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta;drain.
• Add other ingredients.
• Sprinkle one package of Ranch-style dressing over pasta and mix.
• Cover with Wishbone dressing.
• Marinate overnight.
• Check for flavor and add more dry dressing if it tastes bland.
• You can also add other optional ingredients such as red peppers, celery, carrots, walnuts, etc.
• Good for potlucks.