Pasta Salad Recipes

Tired of serving and eating the same green salad again and again and again? Want to try something new the next time you have your friends over for dinner? Why not try the pasta salad? As the name suggests, the salad comprises primarily of pasta, along with a variety of vegetables. The dressing is usually vinegar, oil or mayonnaise-based. Does that sound interesting to you? If yes, then go through the following lines and explore two easy pasta salad recipes, listed just for you.

How To Make Pasta Salad

Recipe 1

Ingredients

4 oz Pasta (Rotini or Wagon Wheels)
3 large Red Bell Peppers
1-2 Red Bermuda Onions
2 heads Broccoli
4 Zucchini
1 Pepperoni Stick
A bunch of Fresh Basil
Salt & Pepper
Oil & Vinegar (or any bottled Italian dressing)

Instructions

Start making the salad by chopping the red peppers and onions. Thereafter, cube the zucchini and cut broccoli into small pieces.
Fill a pot three-fourth with water and place it on flame. After the water starts boiling, add 2 tbsp olive oil to it and then mix in the pasta.
Let the pasta cook in the water till it becomes tender. Make sure to stir it occasionally, to make sure that it does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
After the pasta becomes tender, drain the excess hot water and rinse it under cool running water. Set it aside and let it cool down.
In a large bowl, put the red bell peppers, red Bermuda onions, broccoli, zucchini and pepperoni stick.
Chop the basil and add to the bowl, followed by pasta, salt and pepper to taste and a generous dose of oil & vinegar (or Italian dressing).
Thoroughly mix all the ingredients and then place the salad in the refrigerator, to chill. Toss before serving.

Recipe 2

Ingredients

10 cups Pasta (Rotini, Conchiglie, Fusili, or a mix of all)
2½ cups Mixed Vegetables, cubed or diced (Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Green Peppers, Yellow Peppers, Red Peppers, Broccoli Florets, etc)
½ cup Cheese (Cheddar or Parmesan)
1/3 cup Black Olives, pitted
1 cup Italian Salad Dressing
2 - 4 tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions

Fill a pot three-fourth with water and place it on flame. After the water starts boiling, add 2 tbsp olive oil to it and then mix in the pasta.
Let the pasta cook in the water till it becomes tender. Make sure to stir it occasionally, to make sure that it does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
After the pasta becomes tender, drain the excess hot water and rinse it under cool running water. Set it aside and let it cool down.
Take a large serving bowl and put the pasta in it. Add mixed vegetables, cheese and black olives. Mix well.
Keep the salad in the refrigerator, to let it get chilled. Just before serving the salad, add the salad dressing and mix well.

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