Classic Picnic Pasta Salad Food

CLASSIC PASTA SALAD (FOR A CROWD)

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is room temperature. Place pasta in a large bowl.
• Add cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, onion, bell pepper, mozzarella, parmesan, and olives to the bowl. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, add olive oil, vinegar, italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
• Pour vinaigrette over pasta salad, then toss to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Pasta salad will keep for 3-4 days, refrigerated in a sealed container. Pasta WILL continue to soak up the dressing the longer it sits, so it may need a splash of olive oil and vinegar if it has been sitting for several hours.

THE PERFECT PICNIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, rice vinegar, salt, sugar, and cayenne together in a large bowl for about 30 seconds. Whisk in olive oil in 1-teaspoon increments until emulsified. Whisk in tarragon, dill, parsley, chives, and thyme. Remove and reserve 1/2 of the dressing in a separate small bowl.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Add snow peas, carrots, peas, and broccoli about 2 minutes before the pasta is done. Drain pasta and veggies well, but do not rinse.
• Transfer hot pasta mixture to the vinaigrette in the large mixing bowl and toss well to combine. Let rest for 5 minutes and toss again. Toss occasionally until the mixture is almost room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, green onions, salt, and the reserved dressing and toss well.
• Wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours before serving. Toss and adjust seasoning before serving.

PICNIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to boil and add a generous amount of salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package directions.
• Meanwhile, prepare the vinaigrette. Zest 1 lemon into a large mixing bowl. Add the juice of both lemons, honey and some salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. While continuing to whisk, slowly pour in the olive oil to emulsify the mixture into a light dressing.
• When the pasta is cooked, drain and immediately pour into the large mixing bowl with the lemon-honey vinaigrette. Toss the pasta with the walnuts, apricots, lemon thyme, mint and radicchio. Gently toss to combine and pour into a serving dish. Serve at room temperature or store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

PICNIC PASTA

Steps:

• Whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, vinegar and honey in a large bowl. Stir in the cornichons, herbs, capers, celery and fennel until combined. Add the pasta and salt and toss until well coated.

CONTEST-WINNING PICNIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook spiral pasta and tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the artichokes, broccoli, provolone cheese, salami, peppers, beans, olives, onion and garlic. , Prepare salad dressing according to package directions; pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.