Anonymous wrote:I need to up my pasta salad game. I was just sternly instructed by my teen to stop putting sun-dried tomatoes in my pasta salad.

So, hit me with your sure-fire favorite pasta salad recipes!

Team teenager here.

Sundried tomatos are a love/hate item

Never add something that causes so much passion for or against to a staple side like pasta salad.

Exciting and pasta do not go together.

I love curly pasta shape with corn (fresh is best, grilled is next best), zucchini half moons, halved cherry tomatoes, basil and mozzarella balls in an evoo/red wine vinegar dressing.

pasta salad is vulgar

I make a vinaigrette with olive oil, salt, pepper, white balsamic, minced fresh garlic and a spoonful or so of pesto. Let it sit for a while so the garlic mellows.

I add halved cherry tomatoes, mozarella, grated Parmesan, and dived salami but skip that for vegetarians. I used to add sun dried tomato’s but my kids don’t like it. I like to add chopped arugula for me. Sometimes I add julienned fresh basil.

I keep it super simple . . . bow ties with homemade pesto. Sometimes I add mozzarella cubes and/or cherry tomato halves.

I mix it up with the pesto and use different nut and greens combinations:

• walnut, basil, parsley
• pine nuts and arugula
• almonds and spinach

I also don't use garlic in mine because I think it overpowers the other flavors . . . so I just add olive oil, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and sometimes chili flakes.

Lentil bolognese

This one's our favorite:
https://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/3069-pasta-salad-with-pesto

Mama Mia!!

This one has become a family favorite.

https://cookieandkate.com/veggie-sesame-noodles-recipe/

Anonymous wrote:Halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, spinach, bow ties/rotinis, block of Boursin cheese. (For non vegetarians, I add shredded rotisserie chicken too).

Olive oil and balsamic optional.

Ooof

Halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, spinach, bow ties/rotinis, block of Boursin cheese. (For non vegetarians, I add shredded rotisserie chicken too).

Olive oil and balsamic optional.

I have so many variations on cold pasta salads that I love!

My personal favorite is orzo tossed with diced persian cucumbers, diced cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, crumbled feta, and fresh basil and oregano, tossed in a lemon vinagrette. Sometimes I add black olives if I have them on hand.

I also like bow ties tossed with sliced scallions, lightly steamed broccoli florets (cut very small), and snow peas sliced on the bias, tossed in sesame oil-ginger dressing and sesame seeds sprinkled on top.

OP here. Forgot to add that it needs to be vegetarian (but not vegan). Thanks!

I need to up my pasta salad game. I was just sternly instructed by my teen to stop putting sun-dried tomatoes in my pasta salad.

So, hit me with your sure-fire favorite pasta salad recipes!