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pasta salad for leanne

(3 ratings)
GingerRain avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Penny B
@GingerRain
Tyngsboro, MA

My niece always makes a request for my pasta salad and it has become a family favorite. Flavorful and not too heavy.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Want a slightly different pasta salad for summer parties? This recipe is a cross between a classic macaroni salad and an Italian pasta salad. We enjoyed the slightly tangy dressing that's made by combining Italian dressing and mayonnaise. Chunks of cucumber add a little crunch and freshness. There are pops of sweetness from carrots and a little bite thanks to the sweet onion. This is a very simple pasta salad to enjoy in warmer months. Perfect for all your summer cookouts.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
yield 12 -15
prep time 15 Min
cook time 15 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For pasta salad for leanne

  • 1 lb
    pasta of your choice (I like Barilla Mezza Rigatoni)
  • 1 c
    mayonnaise (light is nice)
  • 1 c
    italian dressing (something with a robust flavor)
  • 1/3 c
    shredded carrots
  • 2 stalk
    celery, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
  • 1/3 c
    sweet onion, minced
  • 1/2
    thin cucumber, quartered and thinly sliced
  • 1/4 tsp
    black pepper or to your taste (truthfully, I never measure)
  • 1/2 tsp
    Italian seasoning, or to your taste (again, I don't measure)
  • 1 Tbsp
    parsley

How To Make pasta salad for leanne

Test Kitchen Tips
After the salad is chilled, the dressing really soaks in. We suggest doubling the amount of mayonnaise and Italian dressing. We had to add more after chilling.
  • Boiling pasta for the pasta salad.
    1
    Cook pasta el dente per package instructions.
  • Drained and cooked pasta in a colander.
    2
    Drain and rinse pasta with cold water.
  • Mayo, Italian dressing, black pepper, and seasonings in a bowl.
    3
    While the pasta is cooking, in a large bowl combine mayo, Italian dressing, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and parsley. Let sit.
  • Chopped veggies added to the dressing.
    4
    Prepare your veggies and add them to the dressing.
  • Stirring in pasta.
    5
    Add pasta to the bowl containing the ingredients. Stir well. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. ~Enjoy
  • 6
    OK: Please bear in mind that this is not a recipe I measure for. Please adjust to your tastes if something sounds like too much or too little. For the mayo/Italian dressing mix, I just try for equal measures.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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