Classic Italian Pasta Salad & Toppings Bar

Tags

food, foodie, pasta, pasta salad, potluck, recipe, salad, side dish, vegan, vegetarian

Hubster and I never agreed on what ingredients to put in a classic pasta salad. That is, until I began serving it with a toppings bar. It’s a fantastic way to make sure everyone at your picnic enjoys this classic side dish!

Young Wifey’s Classic Italian Pasta Salad w/Toppings Bar

Classic Italian Pasta Ingredients:
1 lb. tri-color rotini pasta (cooked al dente, drained, and cooled), 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1 c. broccoli florets, 1 c. cherry tomatoes (halved), 1 c. grated carrots, 1/2 c. chopped yellow onion, 4 Tbsp. chopped parsley, 1 Tbsp. minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. chopped oregano, 1 tsp.  rosemary, 1/3 c. red wine vinegar, 1/4 c. olive oil, fresh ground sea salt, fresh cracked black pepperClassic Italian Pasta Salad Directions:
To make dressing, mix together oil, vinegar, herbs, and seasoning. Pour over pasta and toss to coat. Toss in vegetables. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

Topping Bar Suggestions:
sliced black olives, Spanish olives, fresh grated cheese, bacon crumbles, mini pepperoni, small pieces of prosciutto, anchovies, capers, cheddar crumbles

What toppings do you like on your pasta salad? 

XOXO,
Young Wifey

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Bruschetta Salad

Tags

bruschetta, food, foodie, pasta salad, recipe, side dish

I love bruschetta, so much that I recently made an entire batch (meant for an appetizer) and ate it all with a spoon. So why not make it into a salad? Genius Point!

Bruschetta Salad

Ingredients:
4-6 roma tomatoes, 1/2 large vidalia onion, 2 Tbsp. minced garlic, 2-3 c. cooked couscous, 1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil, 1/3 c. red wine vinegar, 1/2 c. fresh grated fontinella cheese, handful of fresh basil leaves, fresh ground sea salt, fresh cracked black pepper

Directions:
Dice tomatoes and onion. Chop basil. Toss together all ingredients except couscous and cheese. Allow to chill for about 4 hours. Toss in couscous. Either toss in or top with fontinella cheese.

This may have just become my favorite variation of pasta salad yet!

What fun variation have you made of a traditional recipe? 

Greek Pasta Salad

Tags

banana peppers, feta, food, Greek, Greek pasta salad, olives, pasta, pasta salad, picnic food, picnic menu, picnic salad, recipe, salad, summer food, summer salad, tomatoes

I made a Greek pasta salad earlier this summer. It was a nice change from the typical Italian pasta salad you encounter at every picnic. This is a quick an easy recipe to throw together on a whim.

Greek Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
1 pkg. tri-color farfalle pasta, 2 c. of Greek salad dressing (more of less to taste), 2 c. Feta cheese, 2 c. kalmata olives, 4 tomatoes diced, 2 cucumbers diced, 1 tsp. mince garlic, 1 c. banana peppers,

Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse. Mix together all ingredients (except Feta) into pasta. Add Feta and gently toss. Keep salad chilled until ready to serve.

*I couldn’t get ahold of kalmata olives this time, so I used regular black olives.

What’s your favorite go to recipe for an impromptu minute picnic?