Traditional Pasta Salad
Packed with classic ingredients and simple steps, this traditional pasta salad is perfect for picnics and potlucks!
What will I need for this recipe?
Tri-Color Rotini – Tri-color rotini adds visual appeal, variety, and texture. You can use any type of pasta that you prefer as long as it is able to hold the dressing such as Farfalle or penne pasta.
Cherry Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes add a burst of juicy sweetness.
Cucumber – Cucumbers add a refreshing sweetness to the dish.
Red Onions – Red onions offer a sharp, tangy flavor and a vibrant purple color while providing a crunchy texture.
Black Olives – Olives add a briny, salty flavor and texture.
Banana Peppers – Without adding too much spice, banana peppers offer a zesty flavor that will not overpower the pasta salad.
Cheese – You can use any cheese that you prefer, but I like to use a combination of diced cheddar, Colby jack and mozzarella.
Turkey Pepperoni – Pepperoni adds a hearty, protein-rich ingredient. It adds spiciness and a chewy texture.
Imitation Crab Meat – Imitation crab meat adds a savory, seafood flavor and tender texture.
Ranch Seasoning – Adding a bit of ranch seasoning will bring a nice tang to the dish without overpowering the dressing.
Dressing
If in a hurry you can always use Wish Bone Italian Dressing or you can make your own using these ingredients:
Olive Oil – Olive oil is the base of the dressing and brings all of the ingredients together.
Red Wine Vinegar – The vinegar adds a sour, acidic flavor to the dressing but is still sweet to compliment the other ingredients.
Garlic – Garlic will add a mellow, nutty taste to the dish.
Dijon Mustard – Dijon adds a sharp, tangy flavor to the dressing. It’s a way to add spice into the dish without overpowering the dressing.
How to make Traditional Pasta Salad
Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, cubed cheese, banana peppers, pepperoni, ranch seasoning, imitation crab, and parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Or use bottled dressing
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to coat evenly
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together
Serve chilled and enjoy!
Traditional Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 24 OZ Pasta your choice, I used tri colored fusilli
- 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved
- 3/4 Cup Cucumber Diced
- 1/2 Cup Red Onion Thinly Sliced
- 1/2 Cup Black Olives Sliced
- 1/2 Cup Banana Peppers Chopped
- 4 OZ Mozzarella Cheese Cubed
- 4 OZ Cheddar Cheese Cubed
- 4 OZ Colby Jack Cheese Cubed
- 1 Cup Pepperoni Chopped
- 14 OZ Flake Style Imitation Crab Meat
- 2 TBSP Fresh Parsley Chopped
- 2 TSP Ranch Seasoning
- Salt & Pepper To Taste
Dressing
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 2 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 Clove Garlic Minced
- 1 TSP Dijon Mustard
- Salt & Pepper To Taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, cubed cheese, banana peppers, pepperoni, ranch seasoning, imitation crab, and parsley
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Or use bottled dressing
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to coat evenly
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Notes
FAQ
Can I use any type of pasta for this salad?
Yes, you can use a variety of pasta for traditional pasta salad, but short pasta shapes like rotini, fusilli, penne, or bowtie are best because they hold the dressing well and are easy to eat. Experiment with different shapes to find your favorite!
What are some good add-ins to customize my pasta salad?
Great add-ins to customize your pasta salad include:
- Bell peppers
- Feta or mozzarella cheese
- Chickpeas or other beans
- Avocado
I Hope You Enjoy This Recipe!
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