Pasta Salad Recipe

[sherri029]

I am looking for cold pasta salad recipes if anyone has time to share.

I am looking for a pasta salad recipe that I have had many times, but I don't know many of the exact ingredients.

Here's what I know that it has:

Spiral pasta

shredded cheddar cheese

italian dressing or seasoning - don't know if this is the dry dressing packet or the bottle or maybe just a mix of italian seasoning

red pepper


If anyone can fill in the blanks it would be greatly appreciated.

[justjess]

I've had one before that was spiral pasta, italian dressing (bottle kind), broccoli, cucumbers, grape tomatos, parmesan cheese, and bacon bits.

Pretty tasty. I'd on the bacon bits though as they get a little soggy while sitting in the dressing.

[mam]

The beauty of pasta salads is that you can use whatever you have available. Your basic recipe with the bottled dressing and spiral pasta is perfect. Just add what you have around, I use frozen mini peas, cut up sun dried tomatoes as well as the grape ones, some chopped peppers and the broccoli. You can also add diced pepperoni.

[CherryPicker]

I boil the spirals for 7-9 minutes. Then I rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Then I use bottled Italian Dressing.

[Califgirl]

My DD makes one with pasta,ranch dressing mix,bacon bits and shredded carrots its always a hit.

[Indianasaver]

Originally Posted by CherryPicker

I boil the spirals for 7-9 minutes. Then I rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Then I use bottled Italian Dressing.

Me too! I also sprinkle shredded parmesan on top! Love it when you can make this knowing how very little it costs when you get great prices on pasta and salad dressing

[lucyrevenge]

Originally Posted by CherryPicker

I boil the spirals for 7-9 minutes. Then I rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Then I use bottled Italian Dressing.

Originally Posted by Indianasaver

Me too! I also sprinkle shredded parmesan on top! Love it when you can make this knowing how very little it costs when you get great prices on pasta and salad dressing

I can totally dig this. So simple & easy....

[ameeker]

I've been making this one:

1 box pasta (Mueller's bought on sale 2/$3, with a $1 off 3 coupon = $.33/box)
1 bottle Kraft Ranch dressing (FREE w/ $1.50 off coupon)
1 diced green pepper ($.50 at SAL)
1 package Hormel pepperoni - diced (bought on sale 10/$10 11th free with a $.75 off q) so $.14
1 can black olives $.65/can at Sam's Club
1/2 cup parm cheese (on sale 2/$4)
1 8oz bag shredded mozz or co-jack cheese ($1.50 on sale)
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1 cup diced tomato (optional)
1 head of broccoli chopped into bite sized pieces (only when it's on sale 10/$10)

I like the ruffles for pasta salad because they hold the dressing and cheese really well, but any noodle shape will work.

[Luna]

I used to make it with chicken, olives, italian dressing, artichoke hearts, marinated mushrooms, parmesean shredded cheese. and tri colored ruffle pasta (I agree it holds the dressing well)
not the most economical to make but tasty.

[vagabond2]

Tossing in my recipe: We are a dairy/egg free family.

1 box of the Tricolor Rotini pasta
1/2 can of sliced black olives....sliced
small can sliced mushrooms
1/2 of a red or vidalia onion chopped up
Adobo seasoning (or Lawry's or whatever like it)
ZESTY Italina dressing

and do make sure to marinate it for at least 2 hours for flavors to meld!