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...
Beet Dip
Beet Dip
Fresh earthy flavor combined with tangy lemon and creamy tahini makes this a flavorful and colorful dip!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Honey Mustard Green Beans
Honey Mustard Green Beans
Green beans are tossed in a blend of mustard, honey and vinegar. A great side dish!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Coconut Chicken Salad
Coconut Chicken Salad
This simple chicken salad is our version of chicken kelaguen, a favorite recipe from Micronesia. Enjoy the blend of crisp vegetables, chicken, coconut, hot peppers and fresh lemon. Excellent the next day, too!
Prepare:
20 to 30 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Tuna Cabbage Salad
Tuna Cabbage Salad
Light and healthy salad with shredded cabbage and a creamy dressing.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Vegetables and Turkey Stir-Fry
Vegetables and Turkey Stir-Fry
Quick and easy turkey meal with garlic, ginger and whole grain noodles.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Peanut Sauce
Peanut Sauce
This smooth and nutty sauce is so easy to make. It adds savory flavor to grilled chicken and meats, noodle dishes, stir-fries and grain bowls. It's even delicious as a dip for raw vegetables.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
about 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!