pasta salad recipies?

[eggdish]

in my opinion there isn't much better on a hot summer day than a cold pasta salad for dinner. does anyone have any good recipies? we usually just get the boxed mixes but they can be a bit bland.

[Lisa Almquist]

Here's one that calls for uncooked ramen noodles! It is actually way better the 2nd day. My family loves it.

1/2 head of chopped cabbage

1/2 C slivered almonds, toasted

2 T sesame seeds, toasted

1 chicken breast, cooked and cubed

1 pkg ramen chicken noodles, uncooked and crumbled

green onions, chopped

Dressing:

1/2 C vegetable oil

1/2 pkg seasoning from ramen noodles

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

2 T rice vinegar

2 T sugar

Mix and blend well and add to salad ingredients. Mix together AT LEAST 1/2 hour before serving. Toast almonds and sesame seeds at 350 degrees for about 5-10 minutes (don't burn!)

Hope you like it~Lisa~

[waskawood]

Lisa, that is an excellent recipe. One of my favorites. I have started to substitute Kraft Zesty Italian dressing anytime a recipe asks for vinegar and oil. It adds a nice kick. Thanks for sharing.

[DEADhead]

newman's lowfat sesame ginger dressing is a quick and tasty substitute for the asian noodle salad.

[Lisa Almquist]

Since we are all trying to watch our figures ALL THE TIME those ideas are a great way to cut back on fat and calories too! Good ideas Waska and DEADhead!

[DEADhead]

another good substitute for some variety, is to use Broccoli slaw mix instead of the cabbage. It has shredded broccoli, carrots and red and green cabbage in it.

[Lisa Almquist]

Wow! Do you want to become my personal nutrition advisor or chef? Please?

Lisa

[89Bronco]

It's not a pasta salad, but this is always a hit with my co-workers. You can adjust the amounts as you see fit. I always do. Sometimes I get the BIG shrimp when they are on sale.

INGREDIENTS

1 box of Zatarain's Jambalaya Mix

6 slices bacon or use the equal amount of bacon bits.

1 can tiny shrimp, drained or small bag of frozen cooked shrimp (thawed)

1/2 cup chopped cooked chorizo sausage or smoked sausage

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup sliced celery

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes

1 clove garlic, minced

3/4 cup Italian-style salad dressing

Dash of Emeril's Essence (to taste)

A few sprinkles of Creole Seasoning (to taste)

DIRECTIONS

Cook Zatarain's Mix to package instructions. Cool.

While the Zat's is cooking, cook bacon until evenly brown. Drain, cool, and crumble. (Omit this if using bacon bits.)

In a large bowl, mix the cooked Zatarain's, crumbled bacon, shrimp, sausage, bell pepper, celery, onion, tomatoes, and garlic.

Pour dressing over rice mixture, add Essence and Creole Seasoning and toss to coat. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator until serving.

[Dark Cloud]

Heres a real simple one that anything can be added too or subtracted...

1lb pasta - I like the tri-color rotini

1 bottle of your favorite italion dressing - I prefer a "zesty"

1 can black olives

1 head broccoli cut up

1-2 red or green peppers sliced to your desire

1 - medium sweet onion (hint- I usually leave the veggies bite size but big enough for people to avoid the stuff they dont like)

Grape tomatos - however many you want? 3-4 handfulls?

1 large cucumber

1 can of chick peas

about a half pound of your favorite cheese cubed up

and about a half pound or so of your favorite salami. I like a spicy or hot one if available

a few spoonfulls of grated parm cheese

pepper and garlic salt to taste

Add or subtract as you want. Usually one bottle of dressing is enough, if you need more liquid just give it a little bit of oil and cider vinegar...

This is a nice summer dish cuz you dont have to worry about mayo going bad. If its warm out I ommit the cheese and salami. This makes a pretty good sized batch but it holds up well for a few days in the fridge...

[Eckie]

Dark Cloud's recipe is one of my favorites...I typically simplify it a bit, as I like to make a big batch and use the leftovers for quick lunches the week after. I mix up the Rotini, Zesty Italian dressing, shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, black olives and pepperocini (the litte green jalapeno looking things). You can always add garlic, oregano or even some cayenne pepper to spice it up a bit.

[heavyduty]

2 cooked chicken breast seasonerd how you like

1 box pasta ( bow tie is what we use)

6 slices cooked bacon

crumbled cheese

sliced celery

salt and pepper

and enough Jimmys Ranch dressing to coat, May need more the second day

let chill

[Tom Linderholm]

Here is a nice lite pasta salad.

2 lb. rotini pasta

1/2 lb. pepperoni

1/2 lb. cooked chicken (chopped)

1 cup red wine vinegar

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 cup shredded parmesan or crumbled feta

1/2 cup kalamata olives

1 cup chopped tomato

1/2 cup red onion

2 tbl. dried oregano

1 tbl. chopped garlic

1 tbl. worchestshire

S&P to taste.

Enjoy!