Cold pasta salad has been a staple in many homes for decades. This delicious dish is an easy way to make a meal out of leftovers and simple ingredients. It is also a great way to add variety to your meals. With the right combination of seasonings, it can be a flavorful side dish or even a meal in itself. Whether you are looking for a light snack or a hearty meal, cold pasta salad recipes are sure to please.
Basic Cold Pasta Salad
This is the simplest version of cold pasta salad and is a great starting point for more adventurous recipes. All you need is cooked pasta, a few vegetables, and a simple Italian-style dressing. Start by boiling about a pound of pasta in salted water for about 8 minutes. Once the pasta is cooked, rinse it in cold water and set aside. Now, dice a few vegetables of your choice. Popular options include bell peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup of vinegar to the vegetables and mix. Add a tablespoon of Italian seasoning and some salt and pepper to taste. Finally, pour the vegetables and dressing over the cooked pasta, stir, and refrigerate for at least an hour. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Feta and Olive Cold Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is a bit more complex and flavorful than the basic version. Start by cooking the same amount of pasta as before. When the pasta is finished, add 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese, 1/2 cup of kalamata olives, 1/4 cup of diced red onion, and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley. To make the dressing, mix together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Mix the dressing with the pasta and vegetables until everything is coated. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Tuna and Caper Pasta Salad
This is a great way to use canned tuna to make a delicious and filling meal. Start by cooking the same amount of pasta as before. When the pasta is finished, add 1 can of tuna, 1/4 cup of capers, 1/4 cup of diced red onion, and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley. To make the dressing, mix together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Mix the dressing with the pasta and vegetables until everything is coated. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Greek-Style Cold Pasta Salad
This Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad is a great way to add a little flavor to your meal. Start by cooking the same amount of pasta as before. When the pasta is finished, add 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese, 1/2 cup of kalamata olives, 1/4 cup of diced red onion, and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley. To make the dressing, mix together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and 2 tablespoons of Greek oregano. Mix the dressing with the pasta and vegetables until everything is coated. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Spicy Cold Pasta Salad
If you are looking for something a bit more exciting, try this spicy version of cold pasta salad. Start by cooking the same amount of pasta as before. When the pasta is finished, add 1/4 cup of diced jalapeno peppers, 1/4 cup of diced red onion, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, and 1/4 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese. To make the dressing, mix together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of lime juice, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Mix the dressing with the pasta and vegetables until everything is coated. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Curry Cold Pasta Salad
This version of cold pasta salad adds a bit of spice to the mix. Start by cooking the same amount of pasta as before. When the pasta is finished, add 1/4 cup of diced red onion, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, and 1/4 cup of raisins. To make the dressing, mix together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of curry powder, and 1 teaspoon of cumin. Mix the dressing with the pasta and vegetables until everything is coated. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Asian-Style Cold Pasta Salad
This version of cold pasta salad has an Asian flair. Start by cooking the same amount of pasta as before. When the pasta is finished, add 1/4 cup of diced red onion, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup of chopped peanuts, and 1/4 cup of sesame seeds. To make the dressing, mix together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Mix the dressing with the pasta and vegetables until everything is coated. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Mexican Cold Pasta Salad
This version of cold pasta salad is sure to add some zest to your meal. Start by cooking the same amount of pasta as before. When the pasta is finished, add 1/4 cup of diced jalapeno peppers, 1/4 cup of diced red onion, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, and 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. To make the dressing, mix together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of lime juice, 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of chili powder. Mix the dressing with the pasta and vegetables until everything is coated. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Conclusion
Cold pasta salad is a great way to add variety to your meals and is a great way to use up leftovers. With the right combination of vegetables, seasonings, and dressings, you can create a delicious and flavorful meal that is sure to please. Whether you are looking for a light snack or a hearty meal, cold pasta salad recipes are sure to please. So next time you are in need of a quick and easy meal, give one of these cold pasta salad recipes a try.
