Monday, August 23, 2010

Any one have a good creamy pasta salad recipe?

I have bin the mood for it and I just can't find the right one.Any one have a good creamy pasta salad recipe?
Good and SIMPLE!





Cook one pound of shells, elbows, rotini or other pasta in salted water according to directions, adding one cup of frozen peas for the last 5 minutes.





Drain and cool under running cold water.





Mix about one cup of real mayonnaise, one pkg of dry ranch dressing mix, 6 slices of crisp crumbled bacon and (optionally) one bunch of scallions (green onions), sliced, tops included in a small bowl.





Combine the dressing with the drained pasta and peas. Add more mayonnaise if it seems too dry. Add a bit of milk if it seems too ';thick';. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.





Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.Any one have a good creamy pasta salad recipe?
Creamy, Cheesy Pasta Salad


1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions and drained


3 dill pickles, finely chopped


3 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped


2 cups frozen peas, thawed


3 celery ribs, sliced thinly


1/2 medium onion, finely chopped


8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, diced into 1/4 inch cubes


For the Dressing


1 cup mayonnaise (can use low-fat Hellmann's or Kraft)


1/2 cup milk


1/4 cup sugar or Splenda sugar substitute


1/4 cup cider vinegar


salt and pepper








1. Gently toss all the salad ingredients together in a large bowl.


2. Set aside.


3. For the dressing, combine the mayonnaise and milk.


4. Then add the sugar and vinegar.


5. Stir well, and season with salt and pepper to taste.


6. Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss gently to combine.


7. Refrigerate at least 2 hours Overnight is even better.





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I made one the other day...1 lb of whole wheat penne pasta boiled and chilled. Add 1/2 chopped red onion, 1/2 chopped green and red bell pepper, 1/2 diced tomato, 4 slices of bacon fried, drained, and diced, 1 small bunch of cilantro leaves (No stems), 1/4 cup of mayo, 1/4 bottle of fat-free Italian salad dressing, season salt to taste. Add the juice of 1/2 lemon and 1/2 lime, and 1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar. Mix all ingredients and chill...it's very coastal and refreshing.
CREAMY PESTO PASTA SALAD





1 (7 oz.) pkg. refrigerated prepared pesto


1/2 c. Miracle Whip Salad Dressing


3 c. (8 oz.) corkscrew noodles, cooked, drained


1/2 c. pitted ripe olive slices


3 tbsp. chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained


1/2 tsp. pepper





Hope it helps!


Mix together pesto and salad dressing until well blended. Stir in remaining ingredients; chill. 4 cups.
I have a baby nearly asleep on my lap, so I can't go get mine. It does have avocado, orange segments and mayo in it. I know the orange sounds peculiar, but it is really good!
4 cups cooked and drained spiral or shell pasta or (any you prefer)


1 cup frozen peas (thawed)


1/2 cup chopped green pepper


2 cups fine shredded cheese (cheddar or mixed)


1/2 cup finely chopped onion


1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper


1/2 cup finely shredded carrot (may omit)


2 cups imitation crabmeat shredded


2 cups Ranch or Peppercorn Ranch Dressing (bottled)


2 cups halved cherry tomatoes


1/2 cup of parmesan cheese (optional)


PREPARATION:


Cook pasta until done but not overcooked. Cool under cold running water; drain well. In large bowl combine all ingredients except tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Toss gently but blend thoroughly. Refrigerate 3-4 hours.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad





INGREDIENTS


1 (12 ounce) package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta


10 slices bacon


1 cup mayonnaise


3 tablespoons dry ranch salad dressing mix


1/4 teaspoon garlic powder


1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper


1/2 cup milk, or as needed


1 large tomato, chopped


1 (4.25 ounce) can sliced black olives


1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese


DIRECTIONS


Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Stir in rotini pasta and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until al dente; drain.


Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until evenly brown. Drain and chop.


In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and garlic pepper. Stir in milk until smooth. Place bacon, tomato, black olives and cheese in bowl and toss to coat with dressing. Cover and chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Toss with additional milk if the salad seems a little dry.
Party Pasta Salad


2 packages of spiral pasta (Rotini) cooked and drained


1/2 cup lemon juice


3 spoons of Lawry's Season Salt


Stir S. salt into lemon juice and pour over pasta in large covered plastic bowl or zip lock bag. Store in frig, turning periodically.


Hours or the next day later, add 1 cup finally minced red onion, 1 cup finally minced green onions or scallions, 1 cup finally minced celery 1 can of sliced black olives, or minced black olives, a minced red bell pepper. mix it with a couple spoons of virgin olive oil, then add to as much mayo or salad dressing as you prefer. Make it ahead for flavor to mingle.


(hint) add yellow food coloring to the water used to cook pasta. This is good with that fake crab meat added.

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