Pasta Salad Recipe?

[L.Jane]

I must be tired because deciding if I should put this in the side dish or salad section was difficult for me. Anyway. we are going to a BBQ this weekend and we signed up to bring a side dish. I thought I would make a pasta salad. I've never made one before. Anyone have a tried and true recipe? No dairy please.

[alison]

Ooooh, Sheherezade has a good one that got me in trouble with a vegetarian. It does call for feta though. I think migirl has one that I liked, too!

[migirl]

I asked this same question a little while ago!

http://www.medicalspouse.com/forums/...od-pasta-salad

I ended up doing something similar to SuzySunshine's: rotini pasta, chopped red and green pepper, black olives, zesty Italian dressing, topped with pine nuts. Very, very good!

[L.Jane]

I asked this same question a little while ago!

I even did a search! oy. Thanks so much!

[Deebs]

I also use Zesty Italian dressing as my "sauce" and then whatever suites me. Tri-colored rotini makes it really pretty, then you can add sweet onion, multi-colored peppers, artichoke hearts, olives, pepperoni, zucchini, small broccoli bits, or anything else sitting in the produce aisle. My pasta salad usually ends up less pasta, more stuff.

[L.Jane]

How do you all judge ratio of Italian dressing to pasta?

[Deebs]

Go slow. Add a little, and mix. Repeat as needed. I don't like it to get too soupy. I forgot to add - I also add Italian seasoning to my concoction.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I'm also in the "throw a bunch of veggies in there" camp. I use Zesty Italian as well, and will throw in some McCormick's Salad Supreme seasoning. Quick and easy - just make sure that you don't over-cook the noodles (I usually cook them a little less than if I were eating them for dinner).

[ladymoreta]

I love Suddenly Salad... No clue if it contains dairy, but it's so yummy and easy!

[corn poffi]

I LOVE Suddenly Salad too!!! My mom used to have to stock up on it when it was on sale, since if I could, I'd eat it by the tubfull!

Otherwise, the Italian dressing + noodles + veggies + Italian seasoning is always good.

[ides]

Another tip- rinse the cooked pasta well in cold water when its done cooking.

[Deebs]

I've never heard of suddenly salad. What section is it in? I have to try it!!!

[ladymoreta]

It's around the Rice-A-Roni and mac & cheese. It has no healthy redeeming qualities whatsoever, but it tastes soooo good. (I do substitute olive oil, FWIW...)