The Ultimate Pasta House Salad Recipe: A Crowd-Pleasing Delight

Pasta salad is a staple at potlucks, barbecues, and family gatherings. This recipe takes the classic pasta salad to the next level, transforming it into a restaurant-quality dish that's sure to impress your guests. We'll focus on fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and a perfectly balanced dressing – the key to a truly unforgettable pasta house salad.

Ingredients for a Zesty Pasta House Salad

This recipe serves approximately 8-10 people. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your needs.

• Pasta: 1 pound rotini pasta (or your favorite short pasta shape) – consider using a tri-color pasta for added visual appeal!
• Vegetables:
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced
• Protein (optional):
  • 1 cup cooked chicken, diced (grilled or rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 1 cup cooked Italian sausage, sliced
• Cheese: 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese – feta cheese is another excellent option for a tangy twist!
• Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Italian dressing
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Perfect Pasta Salad

1. Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Tip: Slightly undercook the pasta as it will continue to cook slightly in the dressing.

2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Wash, dry, and chop all the vegetables according to the ingredient list. Tip: For best results, use fresh, high-quality ingredients.

3. Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian dressing, Dijon mustard, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. You can add a touch of honey or sugar for extra sweetness if desired.

4. Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, prepared vegetables, and optional protein (chicken or sausage) to the large bowl with the dressing. Gently toss to combine, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly coated.

5. Add Cheese: Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese (or feta).

6. Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This step is crucial for the best taste and texture. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Tips and Variations for Your Pasta House Salad

• Add some crunch: Toasted pine nuts, chopped walnuts, or croutons can add a delightful crunch to your salad.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a little kick.
• Get creative with veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables you enjoy, such as broccoli florets, carrots, or zucchini.
• Make it vegetarian/vegan: Omit the chicken or sausage and use a vegan alternative to mozzarella cheese.
• Meal prep friendly: This pasta salad is perfect for meal prepping. Make it ahead of time and enjoy it throughout the week.

SEO Keywords:

• Pasta house salad
• Pasta salad recipe
• Easy pasta salad
• Best pasta salad
• Crowd-pleasing pasta salad
• Potluck pasta salad
• Summer pasta salad
• Restaurant-style pasta salad
• Tri-color pasta salad
• Pasta salad with chicken
• Pasta salad with Italian sausage

This detailed recipe, along with the strategic use of keywords and helpful tips, ensures that this blog post will rank highly in search results for relevant queries. Remember to promote this post on social media and through other channels to maximize its reach!