Skip to main content

Mix and Match Pasta Salad

Enjoy a pasta salad in under 30 minutes, made from the ingredients you have on hand! Change the flavors and match your food preferences with different proteins, veggies and dressing.
Mix and Match Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

(See Notes for ingredient ideas)
1 cup pasta, uncooked (about 2 1/2 cups cooked)
1 ½ cups bite-sized protein
1 ½ cups bite-sized vegetables, fresh, canned or frozen 
¼ cup salad dressing

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh produce under cool running water before preparing. 
  3. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  4. While pasta is cooking, combine protein, vegetables and salad dressing in a large bowl.
  5. Drain cooked pasta and add to bowl of vegetables. Stir to combine. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Ingredient Ideas

Pasta - shapes such as macaroni, bow tie or rotini. Save a half cup of the cooking water in case you want to add moisture at the end.

Protein - any mixture of cooked chicken, beef, pork, seafood, tofu, beans, lentils, cheese, or eggs.

Vegetables - any mixture of fresh, canned or frozen. Cook frozen vegetables according to package directions before adding. Partially cook hard vegetables such as carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. You can also add grated vegetables. 

Salad Dressing - use a prepared dressing or try a Food Hero recipe.

  • Try adding fresh herbs such as chopped parsley or cilantro for more flavor and color.
  • Try adding chopped nuts, seeds, olives or dried fruit for flavor and texture. 

Comments

This is a simple and easy pasta salad framework to use up surpluses of veggies from gardens! I used vegetables such as zucchini, cucumber, radish, green onion and tomato. I used whole wheat pasta, low-fat Italian dressing from the store and shredded parmesan cheese. 

I think a great combination would be whole wheat pasta, any veggies, Food Hero Honey Mustard, ham cubes, egg and low-fat cheddar cheese cubes! Going to try this combination next. 

This pasta salad recipe would be fun to send to friends and family and have everyone suggest different combinations. 

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Southern Green Beans
Bowl of green beans with ham and onions.

Southern Green Beans

Fresh and tender green beans and salty ham are the perfect combo in this recipe that is ready in 30 minutes or less.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Celery Stir-Fry
Photo of Celery Stir-Fry

Celery Stir-Fry

This flavorful side dish of tender celery is a quick and simple addition to any meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Fruited Tabouli
Large bowl of a colorful mix of bulgur, fruit and vegetables.

Fruited Tabouli

A tasty mix of grains, sweet grapes, and pops of mint and lemon. Perfect for a summer BBQ!
Prepare:
30 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Green and Orange Chicken Salad
Large bowl of mandarin orange and chicken salad.

Green and Orange Chicken Salad

A bright and flavorful salad with a toasty soy dressing.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
12 cups
Sautéed Peppers
Bowl of tender bell pepper and onion slices.

Sautéed Peppers

These sauteed sweet peppers and onions are delicious enjoyed on their own, added to sandwiches or pasta, or with fajitas.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Carrot, Jicama and Orange Salad
Photo of Carrot, Jicama and Orange Salad

Carrot, Jicama and Orange Salad

Fresh and colorful salad with a tangy homemade dressing!
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Was this page helpful to you?