Pasta or Potato Salad Recipes

Cook the pasta , drain and throw in a can of chopped tomatoes , add 2-3 tsp of green pesto and 1 tsp of cream cheese , stir until cream cheese has melted. Very nice and very quick to make

okay, this pasta salad is always a fav with friends/family:

1 bag of tri-color pasta, 1/2 onion-chopped, some garlic. Either a package of the dry Italian dressing mix....made up with olive oil - - or just use bottled Caesar/Italian dressing. (in our home, we use fat-free or light).

Add in a combo of chopped vegies: carrots, celery, broc, caulifl, peppers (all colors), cuc, artichoke hearts, etc. Sometimes, I toss in black olives &/or pepperoncini (or the milder banana pepper rings). You can also add diced ham, salami, & shredded Ital cheese ....to make it a main dish! Grilled chicken is good, too! .....oh, & sometimes I add drained, canned Ital diced tomatoes.....AND lemon pepper.....an excellent combo!

Super easy tortellini salad

Tri-colored frozen tortellini (cook as directed)

Toss w/ Greek dressing (I prefer oil based), feta cheese, black olives (buy the pre sliced can variety to save prep time)

You can also had red onion or cherry tomatoes (I slice in ½) to add a bit more color for presentation, but keeping it simple has gotten me compliments

German Potato Salad:
10 potatoes
1/4 vinegar (white distilled, rice, anything light in color)
1/4 cup oil
salt &pepper
chives or scallions
beef boullion (if you have it)
Boil Potatoes whole until soft but not mushy, let cool, peel, and slice. My grandmother used to take a cube of beef boullion and melt it in 1/4 cup boiling water and pour it over the sliced potatoes. I have made it with and without this step. While it does give it a little extra flavor, it is not necessary. Mix potatoes with oil, vinegar, slat and pepper - all to taste (some people like more vinegar). To finish it off, I usually put sliced chives or scallions over the top. It is super easy and tasty.
Have fun,
C.

Pasta is probably quicker since you wont have to peel anything.

Boil your pasta,
Chopped: onion, celery, garlic, carrots, & pickle
1 boiled egg
mix with mayonnaise and a dab of mustard
salt & pepper

Since it is for a children's event, I would probably be very light on the onion, garlic, & celery.

My husband also like a squirt of sweet pickle relish (for hotdogs), but he has a sweet tooth.

Pasta salad - boil 4 qts water, add some salt (half a palmful). When boiling, add 1 pound whole wheat pasta (elbows, penne) and cook as directed. While water is boiling and pasta is cooking, cut up 2-3 cups of any of the following: celery, carrots, assorted peppers (green, red, orange, etc. - the more color the better), sweet (vidalia) onion or scallions (including the white part and some of the green tops). Put in a large bowl. Drain and rinse the pasta until cool and dry - stir it around to get rid of the water inside the noodles. Add this to the vegetables. Add in 1/4 cup of light mayo and 1-2 tablespoons of sweet relish (secret ingredient!), at least 1 tblsp of dry parsley (or 3 T of fresh minced parsley if you have it). Add salt & pepper to taste. Chill for several hours if you want - this keeps well. Before serving, check to see if it seems dry, and add more mayo if necessary. To serve, I put ice in a large bowl, then put the pasta bowl on top of that if it's going to be out for a while. Note: using another form of pasta such as corkscrews (rotini) or small shells can increase the amount of mayo that clings to the pasta, so use it carefully. Using whole wheat pasta and lots of veggies increases the fiber value and makes you feel totally not guilty! The celery and carrots add great crunch too.

I get compliments on my pasta salad all the time and it's quick and easy and cheap! I get 2 boxes from the Dollar Store of the pasta salad that is the bacon ranch. Make it as directed on box. I sometimes add shredded carrots, chopped black olives, chopped fresh tomatoes and real bacon bits. I'm not kidding, people LOVE it and always want the recipe. I just laugh when I tell them I doctor up a box mix! Good luck!

Have you tried the kraft ranch pasta salad in the box? It is very good and very easy. My husband loves my home made mac salad, but it is not quick or easy.

We do spiral pasta (or penne), steamed chicken cut up, can of black olives, water chestnuts, pea pods (or just regular peas) and a jar of ranch dressing...toss it all together and eat.

It's easy and what kid doesn't like ranch dressing!?! (my mom loves it too so we never ate pasta salad with italian dressing growing up!)