25 picnic pasta salad Recipes

pasta, cooked and rinsed, caesar salad dressing (i use newman s own light), cooked chicken, chopped, grated parmesan cheese, chopped yellow pepper, grated carrot, chopped roasted red pepper, chopped scallion, red onion, finely chopped, fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed

pasta, uncooked, chopped red bell pepper, sliced zucchini, chopped celery, canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained, tomatoes, halved, sliced black olives, sun-dried tomato packed in oil, chopped, chopped red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp dry basil, garlic, minced, salt (to taste), pepper (to taste)

seashell pasta, chopped mushrooms, chopped cucumber, chopped broccoli, white sugar, vegetable oil, prepared mustard, mayonnaise, distilled white vinegar, shredded cheddar cheese, salt to taste, ground black pepper to taste

tricolor spiral pasta, cooked and drained, frozen corn, thawed, tomatoes, halved, zucchini, sliced, pitted ripe olives, tarragon vinegar, olive oil, dill weed, salt, sugar, ground mustard, pepper, garlic powder

macaroni, cooked and cooled (or other preferred pasta), diced ham (ham you cut from a real ham is leaner than lunch meat ham or other processed ham products), diced mozzarella cheese or 1/2 lb diced swiss cheese or 1/2 lb diced provolone cheese, minced sweet onion (optional), frozen green beans, cut in 1-inch pieces, hard-cooked eggs, chopped, marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped, cider vinegar, olive oil or 1/4 cup canola oil, mayonnaise, prepared mustard (i prefer heinz brown), celery seed

angel hair pasta (break in half) or 1 (12 -16 oz) package tri-color spiral pasta, firm ripe seeded diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, drained, cucumbers, peeled pulp removed and diced, onion, finely diced, green bell pepper, seeded and diced, yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced, hidden valley ranch dressing mix, italian salad dressing mix (prepared as directed on package only using half the oil called for), olive oil, red wine vinegar

tri-colored pasta (i ve used shells or spiral shaped), chopped broccoli, chopped red pepper, asparagus , cut into 1 inch pieces, pitted and chopped kalamata olive, shredded cheddar cheese, cubed marinated mozzarella cheese (optional), yellow mustard, white vinegar, mayonnaise, sugar, vegetable oil or 3/4 cup canola oil, salt and pepper

ranch dip, macaroni, cooked, ham, chopped, peas , defrosted, scallion, chopped, celery, chopped, red bell pepper, diced, parsley, chopped, salt, ground black pepper

orzo pasta, green pepper, yellow pepper, red pepper, red onion, packaged sun-dried tomato, olive oil, red wine vinegar, feta cheese

penne pasta, tomatoes, provolone cheese, red pepper, green pepper, onion, cucumber, black olives, vegetable oil, red wine vinegar, garlic clove, fresh basil or 3 tsp dried basil, dijon mustard, salt, sugar, onion powder

kidney bean, corn, peas, onion, chopped, cooked rotini, garlic cloves, minced, sun-dried tomatoes, soaked and chopped, basil, finely chopped, olive oil

bow tie farafelle pasta , cooked according to package directions (measured dry, i use de cecco), mayonnaise, chopped spanish olives, marinated quartered artichoke hearts (reserve several tbsp of the marinade), italian deli-sliced mild pepper rings, chopped (or green bell peppers), broccoli floret , cut into 1-inch pieces cooked al dente, stalks celery, thinly sliced, cucumber, peeled and diced, fresh tomatoes, diced, fresh ground black pepper , to taste, salt , to taste, pepperoni, diced (optional, or salami), parmesan cheese, diced (optional, or provolone), snipped fresh parsley, to garnish, snipped fresh chives, to garnish

smoked cooked sausage, dry mustard, salt, fresh ground black pepper, white wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic clove, peeled and mashed, uncooked penne pasta , 2 1/4 cups, frozen green pea, thawed, chopped green onion, with green tops, red ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped, sliced carrot , 1 medium carrot, grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil , julienned, fresh basil (to garnish )

cooked pasta, drained and rinsed in cold water (i like the multi-color variety for visual effect), chopped green onion, diced tomatoes, chopped green chilies, drained, sweet corn (frozen or canned ), chopped fresh cilantro, lime juice, picante sauce or 2/3 cup salsa, mayonnaise, sliced black olives (optional)

bow tie pasta or 12 oz other medium pasta, shape, vinaigrette dressing, frozen green pea, thawed, tomatoes, sliced, fresh mushrooms, sliced, prosciutto, thinly sliced, fresh basil, chopped, parmesan cheese, freshly grated

cooked drained and cooled pasta, water or oil-packed sardines, drained, salad dressing, fresh basil, pine nuts, grated parmesan cheese, garlic, minced, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste

shell macaroni, cooked and drained, cubed cooked chicken breast, fresh broccoli florets, chopped red onion, reduced-fat mayonnaise, reduced-fat sour cream, dijon mustard, dried tarragon, pepper

shell pasta (other pasta can be used), hard salami, cubed, sliced pepperoni, halved, provolone cheese, cubed, celery ribs, chopped, tomatoes, seeded and chopped, green pepper, chopped, sliced ripe olives, sliced stuffed olives, fresh grated parmesan cheese, italian salad dressing (of your choice), dried oregano (+/-), coarsely chopped fresh basil, black pepper