Pasta Salad Recipes

we like antipasto pasta salad. Don't really have a recipe, but here is one similar: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/antipasto-pasta-salad/detail.aspx
I use mayo or bottled Italian dressing and vary ingredients depending on what I have on hand.

Macaroni salad
Box of elbows or rotini boiled and rinsed and chilled
Mayo to taste. Hellmanns.
Can of albacore tuna in water, rinsed and drained well
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/2 Cuke, diced
Grated carrot
Chopped green onion
Salt and pepper
Mix all together and chill.

Italian pasta salad
Box of rotini, boiled, rinsed, chilled
Bottle of zesty italian dressing, oil and vinegar type.
Bottle of marinated mushrooms, save marinade
Bottle of marinated artichokes, save marinate
Roasted red peppers, cut one into thin strips.
Sundried tomatoes in oil and herbs
Black olives, drained
Cherry tomatoes
Garbonzo beans, drained and rinsed
Chopped green onions
Sliced cukes
Salami and pepperoni
Smoked provolone cheese, diced
Broccoli florettes

Mix pasta, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, beans, cheese, green onions, sundried tomatoes, roasted red pepper, cukes, dressing, and reserved marinades in a very large bowl- save a little marinade or dressing and drizzle on right before serving. . Make concentric circles on top with remaining items like salami and pepperoni and tomatoes and broccoli. Shake some parm over top.

Greek pasta salad
Box of farfalle pasta, boiled, rinsed, drained, chilled
1/3 cup slivered pitted Kalamata olives
1/2 cup feta, lower fat is ok
Washed minced fresh arugula, about half a cup, or minced fresh spinach
Oregano to taste
1/2 cup mayo (not miracle whip)
1/2 cup lite sour cream
Zest of half a lemon
Juice of one lemon
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp EVOO
Chopped green onion
Penzey's Greek seasoning if you have it
Toss all together and chill
Optional, sliced mild hot peppers like on Greek salad

Italian pasta salad
Box of rotini, boiled, rinsed, chilled
Bottle of zesty italian dressing, oil and vinegar type.
Bottle of marinated mushrooms, save marinade
Bottle of marinated artichokes, save marinate
Roasted red peppers, cut one into thin strips.
Sundried tomatoes in oil and herbs
Black olives, drained
Cherry tomatoes
Garbonzo beans, drained and rinsed
Chopped green onions
Sliced cukes
Salami and pepperoni
Smoked provolone cheese, diced
Broccoli florettes

The above is Leo's recipe and I make mine pretty much the same depending on what I have on hand, but use tricolor tortellini

I find this recipe seems a little wetter and sweeter than I like so I increase the other ingredients by almost half and decrease the sugar. Just make the dressing, leaving out the sugar at first, adding sugar and tasting to adjust according to your taste.

People seem to like this because it is a bit different, and are surprised there is sweetened condensed milk in the dressing ingredients.


Rainbow Pasta Salad:

1 lb tri-color spiral pasta
2 carrots, shredded
1 red onion, minced
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper


Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse under cold water and drain; place in a large bowl. Add carrots, onion, green pepper and celery. In another bowl combine remaining ingredients. Pour over pasta mixture, toss to coat. Cover; refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Ranch pasta salad

1 box tri-color rotini, cooked and cooled
Diced onion as desired
Chopped thin sliced ham
Halved sweet grape tomatoes
Finely chopped cucumber
Small florets of raw broccoli
Small pieces of julienne carrot

All ingredients should be based on your personal taste -- tomato lover - put more of those in -- love broccoli - more of that. Want more color - add whatever ingredient will add the color you desire.

Make a 2 cup mixture of Hidden Valley ranch dressing with miracle whip ( exact measurement of each -- to your desired taste of ranch)

Pour over pasta and stir. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing when refrigerated overnight. I always add a few squirts of ranch dressing and stir prior to serving.