Classic Pasta Salad
Summer 😎 is officially here and with backyard parties, picnics and family gatherings, there are certain foods that are requested more than others. We don’t want anything too heavy but definitely fresh and tasty! A dish that represents summer is this one… Classic Pasta Salad!
Throughout the years, I’ve been posting different salad recipes 🥗. Some fit well for colder months such as my Winter Citrus Salad, Asian Chicken Salad, and so on, while others are perfect for summer time; Greek Salad, Strawberry Salad, Jicama Mango Pepper Salad, Creamy Bacon Potato Salad or Moroccan Potato Salad, etc.
I love vegetables and this salad is packed with them. Not only is this salad colorful but it’s also healthy and flavorful. It’s a rainbow 🌈 of yumminess! No wonder this Classic Pasta Salad is always a popular dish during the summer…
I prefer to make my own dressing/vinaigrette but I know that some of you will probably use a store-bought 🛒 instead. If you’re like me and enjoy fresh and tasty, here are a few homemade recipes you can use such as Thousand Island Dressing, Russian Dressing, Ranch Dressing, or Catalina Dressing.
The day I was filming, I didn’t add ham to the salad because that night I was serving it with hamburgers 🍔. As much as I enjoy proteins, I thought it was a little too much. Don’t be afraid to use certain ingredients you enjoy… after all it’s your salad! As I’ve said many times – “adjust the recipe to your liking”.
You won’t go wrong serving this Classic Pasta Salad at your next summer get-together. It’s delicious, extremely appealing visually and, with fresh ingredients, it’s also quite healthy 💚! That’s what I call a great summer side dish! Here’s another amazing side to try… Pasta Primavera!
Bon Appétit!🍽
Check out these other amazing summer side recipes…😀
– Israeli Salad
– Elotes • Grilled Mexican Street Corn
– Vegetable Medley
– Texas Caviar
– Smoky Bacon Creamed Corn
– Sambal Green Beans
– Spicy Tropical Salsa
– Tex•Mex Potatoes
and for even more healthy salad recipes 🥗, click on this link… Recipe Category • Salads & Dressings
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube
Classic Pasta Salad
Hover to scale
Ingredients
SALAD
- 1 lb. (16 oz.) tri-color rotini pasta, cooked and drained
- 1 cup ham, cubed *optional
- 1/2 cup green peppers, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup orange peppers, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup red peppers, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped tips & tricks
- 2 cups cucumber, quartered
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered tips & tricks
- 1/4 cup red onions, finely chopped
- 1/2 can (1.12 oz./32 g) sliced black olives, drained
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1/2 tbsp. Italian seasoning see Recipe
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped tips & tricks
DRESSING
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise see Recipe
- 1/2 cup Miracle Whip®
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tbsp. hot sauce, such as Cholula®
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
Directions
SALAD
- In a large bowl, combine all the salad ingredients. Stir until well blended, cover and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.
DRESSING
- In a medium bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients; whisk well.
- Pour over the pasta salad and gently stir until all the ingredients are coated. Cover and chill for 2 hours.
Don't forget to rate and comment on this recipe!
