Light Picnic Pasta Salad Recipes

THE PERFECT PICNIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, rice vinegar, salt, sugar, and cayenne together in a large bowl for about 30 seconds. Whisk in olive oil in 1-teaspoon increments until emulsified. Whisk in tarragon, dill, parsley, chives, and thyme. Remove and reserve 1/2 of the dressing in a separate small bowl.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Add snow peas, carrots, peas, and broccoli about 2 minutes before the pasta is done. Drain pasta and veggies well, but do not rinse.
• Transfer hot pasta mixture to the vinaigrette in the large mixing bowl and toss well to combine. Let rest for 5 minutes and toss again. Toss occasionally until the mixture is almost room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, green onions, salt, and the reserved dressing and toss well.
• Wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours before serving. Toss and adjust seasoning before serving.

CONTEST-WINNING PICNIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook spiral pasta and tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the artichokes, broccoli, provolone cheese, salami, peppers, beans, olives, onion and garlic. , Prepare salad dressing according to package directions; pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

LIGHT SPAGHETTI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water.
• Place spaghetti into a large salad bowl and toss with red onion, red bell pepper, cucumber, tomato, Italian salad dressing, salad dressing mix, and salt. Chill before serving; salad is better the longer it chills.

MACARONI SALAD CLASSIC LIGHT RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, make the dressing. In a large bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, relish, and mustard.
• Drain the cooked noodles and run them under cold water to quickly cool them down. Add the noodles to the dressing bowl.
• Stir in the celery, green onions, and red pepper, and season with salt and pepper. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
• Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

PICNIC PASTA

Steps:

• Whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, vinegar and honey in a large bowl. Stir in the cornichons, herbs, capers, celery and fennel until combined. Add the pasta and salt and toss until well coated.

LIGHT PICNIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine macaroni, chicken, broccoli and onion. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover; refrigerate until chilled.