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  • Best Pasta Salads

Best Pasta Salads

Posted on Aug 22nd, 2023
by lindaBest
Categories:
  • Main Dishes
  • Salads and Side Dishes
Chicken and Cabbage Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are the mainstay of my summer cooking. I love making a huge salad and just leaving it in the fridge. Then whenever we are hungry we just dish up a plate. That’s it. No cooking for three or four days. What could be better than that, especially on a hot and steamy summer day? These best pasta salads will see you through the season.

These ten salads are delicious, easy, and so versatile. You really can’t make a mistake when you make these recipes. The only thing that could go wrong is that you don’t make enough dressing. I know the popular trend is to dress salads sparingly, but in pasta salads, not enough dressing means the pasta will become dry and tough as it sits in the fridge.

Salmon Pecan Apple Salad

To prevent that, make a lot of dressing; in fact, make more and keep the extra in the fridge. Then you can stir in some more if the salad needs it on the second or third day.

My best tip for the best pasta salad is to add the pasta to the dressing while the pasta is still hot. That way it will absorb the dressing and its flavor and stay moist.

Feel free to change any ingredient in this recipe (as long as you have enough dressing). Switch up the meat, or leave it out. Add more veggies, more or less cheese, and even change the flavor. If you don’t like mustard, leave it out and add some herbs and spices instead. Make the dressing spicier or more mild. One of the best things about these salads is that they aren’t persnickety like baked goods. Have fun creating your own masterpiece.

Enjoy every bite.

Best Pasta Salads

Salmon Pecan Apple Salad

This lovely salad pairs fresh salmon fillets with whole pecans, dried cranberries, Cheddar cheese, and tart apples in a creamy and rich salad dressing.

Broccoli Bacon Pasta Salad

Everyone knows the classic recipe of broccoli salad made with bacon and dried cranberries. My version adds tender pasta to turn it into a meal.

Chicken and Pasta Salad with Cabbage

This beautiful and colorful salad has lots of veggies, including grape tomatoes, bell peppers, and red cabbage. It’s hearty and delicious and good for you too.

Cabbage Tortellini Blue Cheese Salad

This recipe has been in my recipe box for a long time, for good reason. It pairs tender tortellini with cabbage, blue cheese, bacon, and veggies for a colorful and refreshing main dish.

Orange Chicken Pecan Salad

I love this beautiful salad and I make it in the winter too, when clementines are in season. The crunchy pecans, tender chicken, and chewy pasta are sublime in the sweet orange dressing.

Berry and Mint Chicken Salad

Mint adds such a fresh flavor to chicken salads. And it’s fabulous in this gorgeous salad that adds asparagus, strawberries, and raspberries. You have to try this recipe.

Chicken Pesto Salad

I have to admit my husband improved this recipe. I used to make it with just straight pesto as the dressing, and he would add mayo to his serving. So I tried it and was immediately converted. This salad is lush.

Curried Chicken and Pineapple Salad

This recipe uses orzo, the little pasta that looks like rice, along with red grapes, celery, and chicken in a spicy curry and chutney dressing. Yum.

Salmon Bacon Salad with Ravioli

Tortellini isn’t the only stuffed pasta I used in salads. Ravioli pasta combines with fresh veggies and rich salmon to make a beautiful and satisfying salad.

Chicken Club Pasta Salad

And finally, this salad is like a club sandwich, but as a salad. Ham is the perfect addition to a slightly spicy chicken salad that is rich with veggies, bacon, and cheese.

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lindaBest

Linda is a bestselling cookbook author and home economist who has written 54 books (53 cookbooks and Medical Ethics for Dummies) since 2005. She has worked for Pillsbury since 1988, on the Bake-Off and other projects. Linda has been a web presence since 2002, developing recipes and teaching people how to cook.

Books By Linda

The Complete Slow Cooking for Two: A Perfectly Portioned Slow Cooker Cookbook

Medical Ethics For Dummies

Eating Clean For Dummies

The $7 a Meal Slow Cooker Cookbook: 301 Delicious, Nutritious Recipes the Whole Family Will Love!

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