Best Pasta Salad Recipe

Are you tired of the same old boring pasta salad recipes? Look no further! In this post, we’re serving up a delicious and unique twist on the classic dish that will have your taste buds singing.

Not only is it packed with flavor, but did you know that pasta is actually a low-calorie food? That’s right, you can indulge in this dish without any guilt. So grab your forks and let’s dig in to the ultimate pasta salad recipe!

Are you ready to take your pasta salad game to the next level? Are you tired of the bland, mayo-drenched salads of the past? Well, put down that jar of Miracle Whip and listen up because we’ve got a recipe that will knock your socks off (and maybe even your pants, but let’s not get too crazy here).

You see, pasta salad gets a bad rap. It’s often thought of as a dieter’s punishment or something that only gets served at potlucks and picnics. But we’re here to change that perception and show you just how delicious and versatile this dish can be. And did you know, that pasta is actually a low-calorie food? That’s right, you can indulge in this dish without any guilt.

But let’s not get too caught up in the health benefits, because this recipe is all about flavor. We’ve got a mouth-watering combination of fresh herbs, tangy dressing, and a secret ingredient that will have your taste buds doing the cha-cha. It’s like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited.

So, grab your fork and let’s dig in to the ultimate pasta salad recipe. Trust us, after one bite you’ll be saying “pasta la vista, baby” to all those other boring salads. “

What Ingredients Should I Add to Pasta Salad?

When making pasta salad, there are a few key ingredients that are commonly used to add flavor and texture to the dish. Some of these ingredients include:

• Pasta: The base of the dish, you can use any type of pasta you like such as, penne, rotini, or fusilli.
• Vegetables: Fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and onions are great to add color and crunch to the salad.
• Meat and/or protein: Some people like to add cooked chicken, ham, bacon, or even shrimp to make the salad more filling.
• Cheese: Feta, mozzarella, and parmesan are popular choices that add a nice tangy flavor.
• Herbs and Spices: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, and cilantro are great to add a pop of freshness, while dried herbs like oregano and thyme provide depth of flavor.
• Dressing: A good pasta salad needs a flavorful dressing, you can use vinaigrette, mayonnaise, or even yogurt-based dressing.
• Optional: You can add some nuts, dried fruits, and olives to add some extra flavor, texture, and color to your pasta salad.

Keep in mind that pasta salad is a versatile dish and you can customize it to your liking by adding more or less of certain ingredients, or by experimenting with different types of pasta and dressings.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette:
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as basil, parsley, or cilantro)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper.
2. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuing to whisk until emulsified.
3. Stir in the chopped herbs.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
5. Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Shake well before using.

This dressing is perfect for pasta salad, it’s tangy and full of fresh herb flavor, it will add a great touch to your pasta salad. You can also use this dressing for other salads, or even as a marinade for meats and vegetables.

More Pasta Salads:

• Greek Pasta Salad: This salad is made with rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a homemade Greek dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano.
• Caprese Pasta Salad: This salad is made with fusilli pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil, and dressed with a simple balsamic vinaigrette.
• Pesto Pasta Salad: This salad is made with rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, mozzarella cheese and dressed with a homemade pesto sauce made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and olive oil.
• Southwest Pasta Salad: This salad is made with Penne pasta, black bean, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and a chili lime dressing made with lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and olive oil.
• Asian Pasta Salad: This salad is made with Soba noodles, cucumber, carrot, red pepper, green onion, cilantro and dressed with a Sesame ginger dressing made with soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and ginger.

These are just a few examples, but the possibilities with pasta salad are endless. You can use different types of pasta, vegetables, proteins, and dressings to come up with your own unique variations.

Instruction for Pasta Salad:

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down.
2. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the vegetables, meat, cheese, and herbs of your choice.
3. Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing. You can use the dressing recipe I provided earlier or any other dressing recipe of your choice.
4. Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss everything together until well combined.
5. Refrigerate the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
6. Serve: Take the pasta salad out of the refrigerator and give it a good stir before serving. You can garnish it with extra herbs or cheese if desired.

Note: If you are using raw vegetables like cucumber, bell pepper, or onion, it’s best to soak them in cold water for a few minutes before using them, this will help to remove excess dirt and make them more crisp.

Is Pasta salad healthy?

Pasta salad can be a healthy dish if it is made with whole wheat pasta and plenty of vegetables, and it is dressed with a healthy dressing. Whole wheat pasta is a good source of complex carbohydrates and fiber which are important for maintaining energy levels and promoting a healthy digestive system. Vegetables are low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals, they also provide a good source of fiber.

However, pasta salad can also be high in calories, fat and sodium if it is made with regular pasta, and dressed with a high-fat dressing or with a lot of cheese, bacon or processed meats. It’s important to watch portion sizes and be mindful of the ingredients you are using.

It’s important to customize your pasta salad to your dietary needs and preferences, you can use whole wheat pasta, add more vegetables, use lean proteins and healthy dressing, this way you can enjoy pasta salad without worrying about the negative effects on your health.

Nutrition Fact:

• Calories: 250-300
• Fat: 10-12g
• Saturated Fat : 2-3g
• Cholesterol : 10-15mg
• Sodium : 300-400mg
• Carbohydrates : 35-40g
• Fiber : 2-3g
• Sugar : 2-3g
• Protein : 8-10g

It’s important to note that the nutritional information will change depending on the ingredients used. Using whole wheat pasta, adding more vegetables, using lean proteins, and making a healthier dressing, can decrease the amount of calories, fat and sodium, and increase the amount of fibers, vitamins and minerals.

It’s always a good idea to check the nutritional information of the specific ingredients you are using, and to adjust the portions accordingly if you are watching your calorie or sodium intake.

FAQs about Pasta Salad Recipe

Conclusion

Pasta salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be customized to suit your taste preferences. It can be made with different types of pasta, vegetables, meats, and cheeses, and dressed with a variety of flavorful dressings.

When making pasta salad, it’s important to use whole wheat pasta and plenty of vegetables, this way you can enjoy pasta salad without worrying about the negative effects on your health.

It’s also a good idea to make the pasta salad a few hours or even a day before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Properly stored, pasta salad will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, but it’s not recommended to freeze pasta salad because the pasta can become mushy and the vegetables can lose their texture.

You can also make your own dressing with fresh ingredients, this way you can control the amount of sodium, sugar, and other ingredients you are using. Overall, pasta salad is a great option for a healthy and delicious meal or side dish.

Pasta Salad Recipe

It is a mouth-watering combination of fresh herbs, tangy dressing, and a secret ingredient that will have your taste buds doing the cha-cha. It’s like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 3

Calories 260 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as basil parsley, or cilantro

Instructions

 

• Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down.
• Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the vegetables, meat, cheese, and herbs of your choice.
• Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing. You can use the dressing recipe I provided earlier or any other dressing recipe of your choice.
• Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss everything together until well combined.
• Refrigerate the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
• Serve: Take the pasta salad out of the refrigerator and give it a good stir before serving. You can garnish it with extra herbs or cheese if desired.

Notes

• Calories: 250-300
• Fat: 10-12g
• Saturated Fat : 2-3g
• Cholesterol : 10-15mg
• Sodium : 300-400mg
• Carbohydrates : 35-40g
• Fiber : 2-3g
• Sugar : 2-3g
• Protein : 8-10g

Keyword Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad Recipe

Related posts:

Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta Recipe Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Recipe Stalekracker Pastalaya Recipe: A Spicy Twist on Jambalaya