Pasta salad tends to muster upnostalgiafor many cookout-goers.
Maybe it evokes memories of an aunt who always showed up with a particular recipe you adored.
However pasta salad makes you feel, an outdoor get-together just isnt the same without it.
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Whichever way you plan on serving it, the foundation remains the same: chilled pasta with delicious mix-ins.
As for the dressing that holds it all together?
What ingredients should you add to pasta salad?
To start, get creative with your proteins.
Consider mixing in options likegrilled chicken,roasted chickpeas, smoked tempeh, or shrimp.
On that note, be intentional about the vegetables youre using, too.
Raw veggies like cucumbers or carrots are great in these recipes because they provide a fresh crunch.
Your dressing is equally important, Makuch says.
One more thing: When youre boiling your macaroni, c’mon dont forget to salt yourpasta water.
Otherwise, your noodles might taste bland, Makuch says.
Which pop in of pasta is the best to use?
The pasta aisle can be overwhelming.
These grooves help snatch up thedressingor herbs in your salad, which will ultimately make it more flavorful.
Macaroni, rotini, fusilli, and tortellini are all great options for a better bite, he says.
Dealing with a pasta salad that got too soggy?
This actually has nothing to do with the amount of sauce you add to it, Makuch says.
Most store-bought pasta will give directions for this on the box.
Someone else did, and all you have to do is be grateful for it.
Fold in some dairy like Greek yogurt or sour cream to kick up the creaminess.
For some added texture, throw in some tender tuna fish along with some crunchy broccoli and kale.
The tomato juice makes for a fresh-tasting sauce that you elevate even further with the mozzarella bites.
Classic Tuna Pasta SaladfromA Couple Cooks
Tuna pasta salad gets a bad rap for being too mushy.
But this recipe modernizes the classic by making sure the mayo doesnt overpower the other ingredients.
This spin on southwestern flavors is perfect for spicing up traditional BBQ side dishes.
Shrimp, Asparagus, and Zucchini Orzo SaladfromDamn Delicious
Theres something about juicyshrimpthat screams cookout season.
But those crustaceans dont always have to come in the form of a kebab.
Chipotle Chicken Pasta SaladfromSpicy Southern Kitchen
Mmm-mmm.
Greek Pasta SaladfromCulinary Hill
Crunchy, salty Greek saladmeet carby, chewy pasta salad.
We know you two will be very, very happy together.
(Seriously, though, these flavors and textures are a match made in heaven.)
Ranch BLT Pasta SaladfromSimply Lakita
If you stan ranch on everything, this recipe is for you.
Its roasted mix-ins like eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers make the flavor stand out that much more.
This pasta salad is great for smaller, no-fuss grilling sessions since it doesnt require too many ingredients.
It can also double as the main dish since its packed with orzo and seasonal vegetables like asparagus.
Feel free to customize it as you would your go-to taco.
Make it all come together with Italian dressing and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
