Enjoy this quick salad in less than 30 minutes.
Personalized Pasta Salad
Ingredients
2 cups uncooked pasta, such as macaroni or rotini
½ cup salad dressing
2 cups cooked, cubed protein (see Notes)
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 medium bell pepper (any color), cut in 1-inch pieces
½ medium red onion, diced
1 can (4 ounces) sliced black olives
Directions
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
- Measure 6 cups of water into a large sauce pan.
- Bring water to a boil over high heat and add pasta. Cook until tender (about 8 to 10 minutes), stirring occasionally. Drain. Rinse with cold water to cool quickly. Drain well.
- Add dressing to pasta and toss lightly.
- Add protein and vegetables and toss again.
- Chill until ready to serve.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Notes
- Try cooked beans, tofu, chicken, beef, pork, tuna, salmon, turkey, shrimp, or hard-boiled egg for the chicken.
- Try Food Hero's Red Wine Vinaigrette for your salad dressing.
You might also like...
Pesto
Pesto
Pesto is a bright green sauce that can be enjoyed many ways. Freeze extra to have for meals and to season soups and sauces all year.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 ¼ cups
Bruschetta Salad
Bruschetta Salad
Fresh tomatoes and herbs combined with crunchy croutons make the perfect summer salad.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
5 Cups
Stovetop Tuna Casserole
Stovetop Tuna Casserole
Tender egg noodles with a creamy sauce, bright peas and tasty tuna.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
7 Cups
One-Pan Spaghetti
One-Pan Spaghetti
Spaghetti ingredients simmer together in one pot for a simple and tasty meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Agua Fresca (Fruit Water)
Agua Fresca (Fruit Water)
Enjoy a refreshing and delicious blended drink made with your favorite fruit. Thanks to the Latin Heritage workgroup for this recipe.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
about 4 cups
Red Wine Vinaigrette
Red Wine Vinaigrette
A combination of Italian spices, bright vinegar and tangy mustard makes a dressing to use in a variety of dishes.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
½ cup
Comments
I thought this would be a great summer lunch recipe. I personalized it a little more and added canned artichoke hearts, grape tomatoes, and green onions. I used a balsamic vinegarette dressing and topped it with a little more balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper for added flavor. I used store-bought rotisserie chicken, which made this a quick and easy recipe. So flavorful, simple, and quick!
I used this recipe at an after school program and I had the kids choose their own add ins to the pasta so it was truly personalized. They loved it!