
This list of 30 pasta salad recipes has all of your pasta salad needs covered! It includes traditional and unique recipes inspired by different cuisines along with some of my tips for making pasta salad. Representations of gluten-free, vegan, etc. are based on representations from the recipe creators as noted on their websites.
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Pasta Salad Tips
Here are some of my top tips for making the perfect pasta salad. If any of this information contradicts the information in a specific recipe, follow the recipe – there is probably a good reason the recipe is written that way! Check out 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad (With Fixes) by TidyMom for more comprehensive information than I’ve included here.
Types of Pasta
Most of the recipes in this post suggest a type of pasta to use. I also find it’s better to make pasta salad with dried pasta, not fresh, because it tends to hold up better.
Cooking Pasta for Pasta Salad
Stir the pasta when you first add it to the pot, which will prevent sticking during cooking. Cook the pasta slightly beyond al dente stage for a pasta salad, unless the recipe specifies otherwise. This will help keep the pasta from getting too firm as its cooling. If your package has instructions with a range of minutes and suggests a number of minutes for al dente, cook for the full amount of time listed on the package or add a minute or two to the time suggested for al dente. I also usually run the pasta under cool water to stop the cooking, then stir a bit so they the noodles don’t get stuck together.
Making Pasta Salad Ahead
Do not add all of the dressing to the pasta salad! The noodles absorb the dressing when pasta salad is dressed in advance, which can result in a dry salad. I make about 25% more dressing when I’m making a pasta salad in advance. I add the extra portion of dressing right away, then reserve the remaining dressing to add to the pasta salad when it’s time to serve. This allows some of the flavors to start building and prevents a dry salad.
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