Skip to main content

Personalized Pasta Salad

Enjoy this quick salad in less than 30 minutes.
Bowl of spiral pasta, chicken and vegetables.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

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

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Measure 6 cups of water into a large sauce pan.
  4. 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.
  5. Add dressing to pasta and toss lightly.
  6. Add protein and vegetables and toss again.
  7. Chill until ready to serve.
  8. 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.

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!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Cilantro Lime Tuna Wrap
Tortillas folded over a creamy vegetable filled tuna mixture with lime wedges on a plate.

Cilantro Lime Tuna Wrap

A light and flavorful meal using canned tuna, fresh veggies and a tangy mayo dressing.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
5 Wraps
Whole-Wheat Bread in a Bag
Slices of whole-wheat and oat bread.

Whole-Wheat Bread in a Bag

Enjoy this fun and unique way to make warm whole-wheat yeast bread. Kids will love mixing and kneading the dough in a bag.
Prepare:
2 ½ to 3 hours
Cook:
30 to 40 minutes
Makes:
16 slices
Microwave Pear Sauce
Bowl of chunky textured mashed pears topped with spices.

Microwave Pear Sauce

Enjoy this easy-to-make pear sauce as a fruit snack, or as a topping for pancakes or French toast.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Festive Tortillas
Bright multicolored tortillas served next to shredded cheese and salsa.

Festive Tortillas

Make your own colorful, easy and delicious tortillas with added vegetables. Enjoy with your favorite fillings and toppings!
Prepare:
30 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 tortillas
Savory Yogurt Dip
Small bowl of creamy dip with a plate of sliced vegetables and served in a veggie wrap.

Savory Yogurt Dip

A thick and creamy herbed yogurt dip that is great on wraps or for dipping veggies and pita.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
½ cup
Quick Tomato Pasta Sauce
Tomato sauce served over spaghetti noodles.

Quick Tomato Pasta Sauce

A simple and delicious pasta sauce that comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.