FOOD

3 Super-Simple Pasta Salad Recipes That Are Perfect For Any Summer Picnic

by Caroline Hockenbury
Caroline is an editorial intern who enjoys running, making origami, and beatboxing (simultaneously).

With the arrival of summer barbecues and picnics, you might be scrambling to find the perfect dish to please your friends and family.

You could bring a patriotic dessert, like this tri-color bundt cake or this red velvet pastry that fizzles like fireworks. Or you could bring a small spread of finger foods — yum!

But if you are in search of a healthy yet hearty choice for a get-together, check out this three-part pasta salad recipe! Each dish incorporates a wide range of flavorful veggies, oils, and spices. Adults and kids alike will love these savory side dish recipes!

To learn how to make these delicious dishes, check out the ingredients and directions below. Then, click the play button to watch an instructional video that walks you through every step.

Which of these yummy options will you be trying out first? They each look so good that you may need to try all three!

Pasta Salad 3 Ways
https://www.littlethings.com/pasta-salad-three-ways/
Cook: 15 min
Prep: 30 min
Serves: 20
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Ingredients
  • Bowl 1: 1 oz. fresh basil, 1 clove minced garlic, 1⁄4 cup olive oil, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1⁄4 tsp. salt, 1⁄4 tsp. ground black pepper, 1⁄8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, 1 lb. bowtie pasta, 1⁄8 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 4 oz. mozzarella balls (strained), chopped salami
  • Bowl 2: 1⁄3 tbsp. lemon juice, 1⁄3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, 1 clove garlic, 1⁄3 cup mayonnaise, 3 cups chopped kale, 1 lb. bowtie pasta, 5 small radishes
  • Bowl 3: 1⁄3 tbsp. lemon juice, 1⁄3 cup mayonnaise, 1 celery rib, 1 medium sized tomato, 5 bacon strips, 1 lb. bowtie pasta
Instructions
  • Cook all 3 pounds of the bowtie pasta in boiling water for 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Bowl 1: Add the fresh basil, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper to a food processor, and blend thoroughly. Pour a pound of the cooked bowtie pasta into a large bowl. Mix in chopped red onions, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and salami. Pour basil dressing into the pasta and stir well.
  • Bowl 2: Mix the lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, olive oil, crushed garlic, and mayonnaise using a whisk. Stir in kale, another pound of the bowtie pasta, and radish slices.
  • Bowl 3: Mix the lemon juice, mayonnaise, celery, diced tomato, and cooked bacon. Stir in the final pound of bowtie pasta.
Which of these three pasta salad dishes looks the most delicious to you? Let us know your favorite in the comments, and please remember to SHARE this recipe with your friends and family on Facebook!
Pasta Salad 3 Ways 30 minutes 15 minutes 45 minutes Serves 20 //www.littlethings.com/app/uploads/2017/06/pasta-salad-recipe-card-850x416.jpg 1 oz. fresh basil, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper, 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, 1 lb. bowtie pasta, 1/8 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 4 oz. mozzarella balls (strained), chopped salami 1/3 tbsp. lemon juice, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, 1 clove garlic, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 3 cups chopped kale, 1 lb. bowtie pasta, 5 small radishes 1/3 tbsp. lemon juice, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 celery rib, 1 medium sized tomato, 5 bacon strips, 1 lb. bowtie pasta Cook all 3 pounds of the bowtie pasta in boiling water for 12 to 15 minutes. Bowl 1: Add the fresh basil, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper to a food processor, and blend thoroughly. Pour a pound of the cooked bowtie pasta into a large bowl. Mix in chopped red onions, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and salami. Pour basil dressing into the pasta and stir well. Bowl 2: Mix the lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, olive oil, crushed garlic, and mayonnaise using a whisk. Stir in kale, another pound of the bowtie pasta, and radish slices. Bowl 3: Mix the lemon juice, mayonnaise, celery, diced tomato, and cooked bacon. Stir in the final pound of bowtie pasta.

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