Pasta Salad Plus Food

PASTA SALAD PLUS

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the next nine ingredients. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the dressing ingredients; shake well. Pour over salad and toss to coat.

CLASSIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• 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. Strain pasta and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process; you don't want it to be mushy. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Add salad dressing, pepperoni, salami, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, feta cheese, black olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion to the pasta; toss to combine.
• Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Combine vinegar, garlic, oregano and a big pinch each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in oil; taste and add more salt, pepper or vinegar as needed. Set aside.
• Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until the pasta is al dente. Drain well, transfer to the large bowl, and toss with the dressing while still warm.
• Add tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, olives, cucumber and onion to the bowl and toss well; fold in herbs. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and vinegar, if you like.
• Drizzle with olive oil and top with cracked black pepper just before serving.

EASY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Toss 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 garlic clove, finely grated, 1 lb. summer squash and/or zucchini, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise, ½ cup coarsely chopped banana peppers, 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, 1¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepper in a large bowl to combine. Using your hands, gently massage vegetables to soften slightly. Let sit at room temperature, stirring occasionally, 25 minutes.
• Cook 1 lb. orecchiette or other small pasta in a large pot of boiling heavily salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain in a colander, shaking to remove excess water.
• Add pasta, 2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved, 1 cup halved pitted Kalamata olives, ½ cup finely grated Parmesan, and ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil to vegetable mixture; toss well to combine. Add 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces, 1 cup (packed) coarsely chopped basil, and ½ cup finely chopped oregano and toss gently just to incorporate. Taste pasta salad and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
• Just before serving, top pasta salad with more Parmesan, basil, and oregano. Do ahead: Pasta salad (without toppings) can be made 5 hours ahead. Cover and chill.