Garden Pasta Salad
Garden Pasta Salad
This Garden Pasta Salad is a go-to in our house especially in the summer! It’s cold, light, and uses ingredients we have on hand most of the time. At our house at least it always seems like we are invited to several BBQ’s during the summer and it’s tough to find a recipe that everyone enjoys. This one is it for us! Sometimes we even eat it for our main meal, or it can be made as a side. Below are the ingredients you will need to make this recipe. You can double the recipe to feed more people.
Ingredients
1 bag of your favorite pasta (about 16 oz.)
2 heads of broccoli, chopped into small pieces.
2 small cans of black olives, drained.
1 small can slice mushrooms, drained.
1 package of cherry tomatoes, whole or cut in half. You can use a can of diced tomatoes drained, but it results in a runnier pasta salad.
8 oz. of Italian dressing (you can add more or less depending on your taste)
2.5 oz. bacon bits
We typically use about 1/2 – 3/4 bottle of McCormick Salad Supreme, depending on your taste (you can also use Mrs. Dash Original to add a different flavor) In this step, it’s best to taste as you go so you don’t over-do it.
Optional – Parmesan Cheese, and sliced basil on top, sliced and quartered pepperonis, or
sunflower seeds for a little crunch.
Garden Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Bag Favorite pasta (about 16 oz.)
- 2 Heads Broccoli Crowns, chopped into small pieces.
- 1 Small Can Black olives, drained.
- 1 Small Can Slice mushrooms, drained.
- 1 Pkg. Cherry tomatoes. Whole or cut in half. You can use a can of diced tomatoes drained, but it results in a runnier pasta salad.
- 4 oz. Italian dressing (you can add more or less depending on your taste)
- 2.05 Oz. Bacon bits Small package
- 1 1/2 Oz. McCormick Salad Supreme About half a small bottle. You can use more or less depending on your taste. You can also, substitute Mrs, Dash Original.
Instructions
- In a large stockpot bring your water to a boil and drop in the pasta. Cook according to instructions.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Then put the pasta in a large mixing bowl.
- Once your pasta is in the mixing bowl slowly add all ingredients stirring occasionally.
- This is bested served cold overnight or chilled for a few hours.
We have made this for years now. It’s pretty versatile and there are many options and substitutes that you can use too. It keeps well in the fridge for several days or so, and we are able to use it as a side throughout the week. Plues, it doesn’t heat up the house in the summer, and you can take it to any BBQ or church potluck.
Options: Parmesan Cheese, slices red onions, green onions, various types of pasts, or even pepperoncini
