Pasta salad, often underestimated, can be an incredibly tasty dish when prepared with care. This article will guide you through three different pasta salad recipes, each well-tested and sure to elevate your gatherings. Whether you’re cooking for a casual summer BBQ or a family dinner, these pasta salads are guaranteed to impress.
1. Classic Creamy Macaroni Salad
Ingredients:
- 2,000 grams (2 quarts) of water
- 45 grams of salt
- 225 grams of elbow macaroni
- 25 grams of white distilled vinegar
- Olive oil (for tossing)
- 30 grams of finely minced shallots (rinsed)
- 60 grams of finely chopped celery
- 30 grams of thinly sliced scallions
- 100 grams of frozen peas
- 100 grams of crispy chopped bacon
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 50 grams of sour cream
- 25 grams of Dijon mustard
- 15 grams of sugar
- 10 grams of lemon juice
- 5 grams of Worcestershire sauce
- 5 grams of salt
- 1/2 clove of garlic
- 300 grams of neutral oil (light olive oil)
Preparation:
Start by boiling water and salting it generously, then cook your macaroni pasta a bit longer than the package suggests for better texture. After cooking and draining, add a little olive oil and vinegar to help keep the pasta from sticking. Let it cool before mixing in finely chopped shallots, celery, scallions, peas, and crispy bacon.
For the dressing, combine sour cream, Dijon mustard, sugar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and an egg. Slowly stream in neutral oil while blending to form a smooth, creamy dressing. Coat the pasta with the dressing, adjusting the seasoning with fresh dill, salt, and pepper. Serve garnished with extra dill and black pepper.
2. Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 2,000 grams of water
- 45 grams of salt
- 225 grams of shell pasta
- 300 grams of pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 200 grams of mozzarella pearls
- 200 grams of halved cherry tomatoes
- Extra pesto and grated parmesan for garnish
Pesto Ingredients:
- 100 grams of lightly toasted pine nuts
- 100 grams of basil
- 20 grams of parsley
- 30 grams of shallot (minced and rinsed)
- 100 grams of grated parmesan
- 225 grams of cold extra virgin olive oil
- 5 grams of salt
- 30 grams of lemon juice
Preparation:
For the pesto, blend pine nuts, basil, parsley, shallot, parmesan, and cold olive oil. Add salt and lemon juice to taste, then blend until smooth. Cook your shell pasta and once drained, toss it with pesto, mozzarella pearls, and cherry tomatoes. Garnish with extra pesto and grated parmesan.
3. Italian-Style “Mom” Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 2,000 grams of water
- 45 grams of salt
- 225 grams of rotini pasta
- 150 grams of classic Italian dressing
- 65 grams of small diced mozzarella
- 100 grams of half black olives
- 50 grams of sliced pepperoncini
- 100 grams of sliced oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 60 grams of red bell pepper
- 60 grams of sliced Genoa salami
- 75 grams of grated parmesan cheese
Dressing Ingredients:
- 25 grams of red wine vinegar
- 45 grams of white distilled vinegar
- 20 grams of rinsed red onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 15 grams of red bell pepper
- 25 grams of Dijon mustard
- 15 grams of sugar
- 5 grams of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon each of oregano, basil, black pepper, and chili flakes
- 200 grams of neutral oil
Preparation:
Cook your rotini pasta, then cool it down with vinegar and olive oil. Make a tangy dressing using a blend of vinegars, red onion, garlic, mustard, and spices. Slowly stream in neutral oil to emulsify. Mix in mozzarella, olives, pepperoncini, sun-dried tomatoes, red bell pepper, salami, and parmesan cheese. Toss everything together, ensuring it’s well-coated with dressing.
Conclusion: Pasta Salad – A Perfect Side Dish
Whether you’re craving a creamy macaroni salad, a fresh pesto version, or the tangy Italian-style salad, these recipes show that pasta salad can be a sophisticated and flavorful addition to any meal. Remember, the key to an outstanding pasta salad lies in using quality ingredients, balancing flavors, and paying attention to texture. With a little effort, you’ll be able to make pasta salads that are not just satisfying but also a highlight at your next gathering.
