Nancys Spaghetti Salad Recipes

ORZO SALAD WITH MUSTARD GREENS AND DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Combine the chicken broth and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat; hold at a gentle simmer.
• Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the thyme, cumin and orzo, and toast the pasta for 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully pour in the simmering broth and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium low. Cook until all the liquid is absorbed, 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Fold in the cherries, pistachios, lemon zest, olive oil and mustard greens. Top with parsley to serve.

PASTA SALAD WITH BASIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
• Spread the pine nuts in an even layer on a small baking sheet. Transfer to the oven, and toast until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, toasted pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes olives, Cheddar, chickpeas, cucumbers, and basil vinaigrette. Toss well. Serve cold.
• Add the vinegar, honey, mustard, shallots, basil and some salt and pepper to a blender. Blend until well combined. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil; blend until fully combined.

EGGPLANT AND SAUSAGE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain in a colander and let cool a bit before transferring the pasta to a large bowl. Drizzle with the 2 tablespoons olive oil and mix to combine.
• Add the eggplant to the prepared baking sheet; drizzle with the 1/4 cup olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss it all together. Roast until golden, tender and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and saute until cooked through, using the back of a wooden spoon to crumble the sausage, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the tomatoes and garlic and cook until heated through and starting to soften a bit, 1 minute. Add the sausage mixture to the pasta bowl. Add the lemon juice, basil, parsley, olives and roasted eggplant to the bowl and toss together. Top with the feta cheese. Serve at room temperature.

NANCY'S SPAGHETTI SALAD

Steps:

• Mix tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, cucumbers, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and Italian seasoning together in a large bowl.
• 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 run under cold water.
• Toss spaghetti with tomato mixture; fold in chicken. Pour salad dressing over salad; toss to coat. Refrigerate until flavors have blended, about 2 hours.

NANCY'S SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• 1. If you're not using meat balls, cook hamburger and onion, and garlic. Drain. Spray crock pot with Pam or put in a liner. Put chopped tomatoes in crock pot. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, spaghetti sauce mix, hamburger mixture {or meatballs}, water and seasonings. Stir and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4. Remove bay leaves. Cook spaghetti noodles and pour sauce over. Add Parmesan cheese.
• 2. Make ahead Meatballs: 4 eggs 2 cups dry breadcrumbs 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 tbsp. salt 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp. white pepper 4 lbs. lean ground beef In large bowl, beat eggs. Add the next five ingredients. Add beef; mix well. Shape into 1-in balls, about 12 dozen. Place in single layers in ungreased 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until no longer pink, turning often; drain. Cool. Place about 30 meatballs each into freezer containers. May be frozen up to 3 months. Yield 5 batches{30 meatballs per batch}

LITTLE NANCY'S PASTA SALAD WITH FRUIT AND CHICKEN

Steps:

• 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. Drain.
• Combine cooked pasta, chicken, grapes, celery, oranges, water chestnuts, cashews, mint leaves, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
• Mix yogurt, mayonnaise, and chicken bouillon for dressing together in a bowl until well blended. Pour dressing over pasta salad and toss lightly until all ingredients are coated. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes.