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easy pasta salad with sweet and sour dressing

(2 ratings)
MaggieP avatar
Recipe by
Maggie Pennel
@MaggieP
Turon , KS

I used to make the dressing at a restaurant I worked in years ago. I liked it so much, I tried it on pasta, not just spinach sald. It is great. If you don't have the wine vinegar, the taste will be different, but use ANY vinegar you have-I have in a pinch used white and cider or balsamic and they worked just as well. You can also add red wine to a vinegar (about 1:1) and have it turn out well, too. As you can see, this isn't an exact recipe. Use what you have, what you like and flavor it any way you want. If you want to add cheese chunks-ok, fresh mushrooms throw them in, too. Got leftovers-cold meat makes this really good and so does tuna or salmon. Use your imagination. This is easy and versatile.

(2 ratings)
yield 15 serving(s)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 20 Min

Ingredients For easy pasta salad with sweet and sour dressing

  • 1 lb
    cooked pasta (shape of choice)
  • 1 pkg
    frozen vegetable mix with broccoli (your choice)
  • 2 c
    cooked, diced meat of choice (leave out if vegetarian)
  • 1 can
    sliced black olives (optional)
  • 1/2 sm
    onion diced (may be cooked with pasta to remove sharpness)
  • fresh vegetables of choice to make salad look filled up
  • shredded cheese to garnish
  • SALAD DRESSING
  • 1 c
    each red wine vinegar, sugar and oil of choice (i prefer 1/2 extra virgin olive oil and 1/2 canola)
  • 1 Tbsp
    mixed italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp
    each dry mustard, garlic granules, onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp
    salt (add more to taste)
  • 1/8 tsp
    black or white pepper

How To Make easy pasta salad with sweet and sour dressing

  • 1
    Cook pasta as directed on package. Right before pasta is finished add frozen mixed vegetables to thaw. (allow for the vegetables to reheat the water until it steams. You just want to thaw them not cook them). Drain and set aside. Dice the fresh vegetables and meat. Add to pasta. Gently toss. Cover and set in refrigerator.
  • 2
    While pasta is cooking make dressing. Combine all dressing ingredients in a pint jar with a lid. Place lid on jar and screw down tightly. Shake until the sugar dissolves. Set in the refrigerator to give flavors time to mingle and garlic to soften-about 30 min to an hr. Pour entire contents over chilled pasta. Garnish with shredded cheese of choice. Serve cold.
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Categories & Tags for Easy Pasta Salad with Sweet and Sour Dressing:

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