Yum Peaceful Cooking: Pasta Salad The Way I like it

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Pasta Salad The Way I like it

Back in May I was looking for something to take to our monthly potluck at work and I remembered my friend Michele over in BakeSpace had posted a recipe on her blog for Pasta Salad that looked great. (If you'd like to take a look at her post click here) I highly recommend her blog. She has some great recipes over there and some fun Italian music to listen to.

Well, I made the Pasta Salad....not realizing how much it would make. I ended up only taking half to work and left the rest at home, which was plenty to last us for a few days. The original recipe makes enough to feed an army (which is probably great when you have a large Italian family :) ).

The salad was a total hit! I've even given the recipe to fellow employees. Thank you Michele for sharing such a wonderful recipe.

Fast forward to July 4th....

We had several friends over to celebrate with us and I decided to make the Pasta Salad again. (only this time I learned my lesson and cut the recipe in half. It still made a ton! LOL)

Before I continue, I just want to show you this cute, old platter that my friend brought, filled with veggies....

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Look in the center? Recognize that little gal? How many of you got to eat crudite from a Strawberry Shortcake Platter on the 4th of July?

I did make a few very minor, slight changes to Michele's recipe, and I'm sure if you try my version, you'll add or subtract or change a few things yourself. I'm just going to list what I used here.

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Do any of you remember that game on Sesame Street? 'One of these things doesn't belong here....one of these things just isn't the same'. Well, there is an item that doesn't really belong...do you know which one it is? I mean, I used it....but its not really a "member"...its sort of an outcast.


1 lb of cooked medium sized pasta (such as faralle, rotelle, cavatappi...or those fun corkscrew ones)
1 large jar of marinated artichoke hearts, drained and cut (I've thought of using artichoke bottoms instead but I couldn't find them)
1/2 can garbanzo beans
1/2 jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
1/2 each red and yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 medium red onion, diced
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1 small bunch of broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
1 basket of grape tomatoes, cut in half
1 round of Queso Fresco cheese, crumbled
a few leaves of fresh basil, chopped
Parmesan cheese to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste
Your favorite Italian Dressing

For the pasta, I used corkscrew (riccioli) pasta the first time, and this time I used cappelletti. I think I prefer the corkscrew. But look how cool this stuff is....

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Toss the cooked pasta with your Italian Dressing...adding a bit at a time until you're happy. Add the remaining ingredients and toss together. You might find that you need a bit more dressing at this point.

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And you know what? It's even better if you make it the night before, giving the pasta a chance to soak up all that dressing. YUM!!!









15 comments:

  1. LOL You crack me up! I remember that game. Can I guess? Queso Fresco??? LOL

    Thanks so much for the links and the mention. I'm glad you liked the recipe!

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  2. Mmmm, pasta salad. Looks great! :)

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  3. LMAO no fair! I wore myself out comparing "yous twos" recipes and was so proud of myself. Then I come here to post and MICHELE guessed it!!! NO FAIR!

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  4. That platter is so freaking cute! I have a mug from the past that has Strawberry Shortcake on it that I love.

    I can see how that pasta salad can be a crown pleaser.

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  5. Michele - you did it! ding ding ding...you got the right answer

    Bob - thanks Dude :)

    DD - the answer was in my pic, not Michele's blog! LMAO it was the "mexican" cheese with the rest of the "Italian" ingredients hahaha

    Mom on the Run - thank you for stopping by. always nice to see a new face. Strawberry Shortcake is the cutest thing, isn't she?

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  6. That pasta looks delicious! I love queso fresco.

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  7. That pasta looks delicious! I love queso fresco.

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  8. mmmm, that's a nummy salad...i luv, luv, luv queso fresco (even make it at home)!

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  9. Erica - I love queso fresco too. I find myself sneaking chunks of it whenever I'm cooking with it

    Girlichef - you make it??? is it bogged? where? if not....DO IT!! I wanna make some!

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  10. I haven't blogged it yet...I'll have to...it's a very, very easy one to make!!

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  11. This recipe looks awesome. Dressing sounds fabulous and it looks so darned pretty!

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  12. Queso Ranchero... Hmmmm Looks delish! Need, Want, Must have Pasta Salad... ;)

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  13. Queso Ranchero... Hmmmm Looks delish! Need, Want, Must have Pasta Salad... ;)

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  14. Thanks for visiting me;-)

    I love those cute little pastas, my kids would it!!

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