Introduction:
Pasta Salad packed with tons of crunchy vegetables makes for a great side dish! Not to mention that it’s also a great substitute for your regular ‘Pasta’. Pasta Salad is easy to make with all its ingredients available throughout the year which also adds to its flexibility. Pasta Salad is loved by everyone and tastes great if prepared ahead of time.
Some Fresh and Yummy Pasta Salad Recipes for you!Easy-peasy Pasta Salad Recipe:
Ingredients:
– Dried Pasta (Fusilli, Penne, Farfalle & Rotini): 1 Pound
– Bell Pepper (Sliced): 1 Cup
– Zucchini (Thinly Sliced): 1 Cup
– Cherry Tomatoes (Halved): 1 Cup
– Scallions (Thinly Sliced): 1/3 Cup
– Banana or Pepperoncini Peppers (Optional): ¼ Cup
– Olives (Mixed & Halved): 1 Cup
– Hard Cheese or Parmesan Cheese (Grated): 1 Cup
– Mozzarella Balls (Fresh & Chopped): 1 Cup
– Fresh Basil or Parsley (Optional): 1/3 Cup
Dressing:
Red Wine Vinegar, Champagne Vinegar or White Wine Vinegar: 1/3 Cup
– Ground Pepper, Black (Fresh): ½ Teaspoon
– Oregano (Dried): ½ Teaspoon
– Pepperoncini Jar Juice (Optional): 2-3 Tablespoons
– Olive Oil (Extra Virgin): ½ Cup
– Salt to taste
Directions:
Boil the pasta in a pan for about 6-10 minutes or until tender. Once Pasta softens, drain the water and let it cool.
– Now grab a bowl and prepare the Pasta Dressing, toss in Vinegar of your choice, Ground Black Pepper, Oregano, Pepperoncini Jar Juice, Olive Oil and Salt in instructed quantities and whisk them all.
– After the dressing is ready, toss the Pasta in it to soak. And then shove Bell Peppers, Zucchini, Cherry Tomatoes, Scallions, Banana or Pepperoncini Peppers (If using), Mozzarella Balls, Parmesan Cheese or Hard Cheese and Olives. And mix them all.
– Use the herbs to garnish the Salad and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes or so before digging in!
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe:
Ingredients:
Dried Rotini Pasta: 2 Cups
– Green Bell Pepper: ½ Cup
– Orange Bell Pepper: ½ Cup
– Red Bell Pepper: ½ Cup
– Grape Tomatoes: 1 Pint
– Black Olives (Sliced): ½ Cup
– Red Onion: 1/3 Cup
– Salami: 1 Cup
– Parmesan Cheese: 1/3 Cup
– Parsley (Fresh & Chopped): 3 Tablespoon
Dressing:
Vegetable Oil: ½ Cup
– Olive Oil: ½ Cup
– Red Wine Vinegar:3 Tablespoon
– Dijon Mustard: 1 Teaspoon
– Italian Seasonings: ½ Teaspoon
– Sugar: 1 Teaspoon
– Ground Pepper, Black: ½ Teaspoon
– Salt to taste
Directions:
Boil the Pasta in a pan for about 6-10 minutes or until tender. Once Pasta softens, drain the water and let it cool.
– Now grab a bowl and prepare the Pasta Dressing, toss in Vinegar of your choice, Ground Black Pepper, Vegetable Oil, Olive Oil, Italian Seasonings, Dijon Mustard, Sugar and Salt in instructed quantities and whisk them all.
– After the dressing is ready, toss the Pasta in it to soak. And then shove Red, Orange & Green Bell Peppers, Grape Tomatoes, Red Onions, Salami Parmesan Cheese and Olives. And mix them all.
– Use the herbs to garnish the Salad and refrigerate it for about 3 hours or so before digging in!
Greek Pasta Salad Recipe:
Ingredients:
-Dried Rotini Pasta: 1 Cup
– Cherry Tomatoes (Halved): 2 Cups
– Cucumbers (Sliced): 2 Cups
– Red Onions (Sliced): 1 Cup
– Kalamata Olives (Pitted & Sliced): 1 Cup
– Feta Cheese: ¼ Cup
Dressing:
-Olive Oil (Extra Virgin): 1/3 Cup
– Red Wine Vinegar: 2 Tablespoons
– Lemon Juice: 1 Tablespoon
– Dijon Mustard: 1 Teaspoon
– Garlic Cloves (Minced): 2 Pcs
– Oregano: ¼ Teaspoon
– Salt to taste
Directions:
-Boil the Pasta in a pan for about 6-10 minutes or until tender. Once Pasta softens, drain the water and let it cool.
– Now grab a bowl and prepare Pasta Dressing, toss in Red Wine Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Dijon Mustard, Garlic Cloves, Oregano, Olive Oil and Salt in instructed quantities and whisk them all.
– After the dressing is ready, toss the Pasta in it to soak. And then shove Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onions, Kalamata Olives and Feta Cheese. And mix them all.
– Use the herbs to garnish the Salad and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes or so before digging in!
Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe:
Ingredients:
– Gluten-Free Rigatoni Noodles: 4 Cups
– Whole Chunk Tuna: 2 Cans
– Frozen Peas: ¾ Cup
– Celery (Chopped): ½ Cup
– Green Onions (Finely Sliced): 1 cups
– Tomatoes (Chopped): 1 Cup
– Kalamata Olives (Sliced): 1 Cup
– Pepperoncini Peppers (Sliced): ¼ Cup
– Parsley (Coarsely Chopped): ¼ Cup
Dressing:
– Mayonnaise: ¾ Cup
– Oregano Vinaigrette: 5 Tablespoons
– Olive Oil (Extra Virgin): 3 Tablespoons
– Lemon Juice: 2 Tablespoons
– Dried Oregano: 1 Teaspoon
– Dried Basil: ¼ Teaspoon
Directions:
– Boil the Gluten-Free Rigato Noodles in a pan for about 6-10 minutes or until tender. Once Noodles is softened, drain the water and let it cool.
– Also, boil the frozen peas in a different pan and once boiled, let it cool.
– Now grab a bowl and prepare the Pasta Dressing, toss either Mayonnaise and Oregano Vinaigrette or Mayonnaise, Lemon Juice, Dried Oregano, Olive Oil and Dried Basil in instructed quantities and whisk them all.
– After the dressing is ready, toss the Rigato Noodles in it to soak. And then shove Whole Chunk Tuna, Peas, Cherry Tomatoes, Green Onions, Kalamata Olives, Pepperoncini Peppers and Parsley. And mix them all.
– Use the herbs to garnish the Salad and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes or so before digging in!
Conclusion
Pasta Salad is a healthy substitute for your regular, ‘Unhealthy’, ‘High Calorie’ Content and ‘Cheese dripping’ Pasta, packed with your favourite crunchy vegetables. Since Pasta Salad can be consumed until 5 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge, you can always make a bit more. Not only that, but Cold Pasta Salad is a lot more delicious as well.
FAQ
How bad is Pasta Salad for you?
Pasta Salad primarily consists of carbohydrates and fats and in case if you are looking for a less fatty option then Pasta Salad might not be for you. Although, you can have Boiled Pasta as a side dish with your Salad. For in Pasta Salad there’s tons of high-calorie content option which you might want to avoid.
Why does Pasta Salad have an after taste?
Well, that irritating after taste is due to the presence of Vinegar and other acidic ingredients in the Pasta Salad. This is because sometimes Pasta tends to get acerbic if soaked in Vinegar dressing for a bit of time and all the more in Salad dressings.
What do you eat with Pasta Salad?
Grilled vegetables & Corn is just the perfect pairing for Pasta Salads. Apart from it, you can also try other healthy options such as Baked Beans, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Broccolis, Halved Tomatoes, Asparagus and Fried Okra.
Both Pasta and Rice are considered to be a healthy option and must be included in your diet plan. However, in the case of Lower Calories and Carbohydrate content, Rice is a better option. Whereas in the case of Protein and Fibre content, Pasta is the better option.
How long doe Pasta Salad last in the fridge?
Pasta Salad lasts for about 5 days or so if stored in the fridge and an airtight container. Any later than that, discard the Pasta Salad for it won’t be fit for you to consume it anymore.
Can I make Pasta Salad the day before?
Certainly! It’s a great trick to prepare your Pasta Salad ahead of time as it tastes delicious. Not only that but cold Pasta Salad are the best and since Pasta Salad can last for 5 days, you can also store it and eat later.