Simple Pasta Salad ๐ฅ
Overview:
This Simple Pasta Salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a quick meal or a side dish at any gathering. With the freshness of shell pasta, the crunch of veggies, and the tang of pickles, it’s a kid-friendly favorite that can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes! Best of all, it’s a breeze to make, leaving you more time to enjoy its deliciousness.
Cooking Times:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Chilling Time: 4 hours (minimum)
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
- Calories: 641.3
- Total Fat: 17.1g
- Saturated Fat: 3.4g
- Cholesterol: 219.6mg
- Sodium: 755.8mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 98.5g
- Dietary Fiber: 5.1g
- Sugars: 7.7g
- Protein: 22.3g
Ingredients:
- 1 cup shell pasta ๐
- 1 pickle, diced ๐ฅ
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped ๐ฅ
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped ๐ง
- 1 green pepper, diced ๐ซ
- 2 tablespoons pimiento, chopped ๐ถ๏ธ
- 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped ๐ฟ
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise ๐ฅ
- 3 tablespoons pickle juice ๐ฅ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ๐ง
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder ๐ฟ
- Salt and pepper to taste ๐ง
Instructions:
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Cook Pasta: Begin by cooking the shell pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until it’s al dente. This should take about 12 minutes. Once done, drain the pasta thoroughly.
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Cool Pasta: Rinse the cooked pasta under cold running water until it’s completely cool. This stops the cooking process and ensures the pasta stays firm.
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Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, pickle juice, minced garlic, and mustard powder until well combined. This creamy dressing will add a tangy flavor to the salad.
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Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, diced pickle, chopped hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped red onion, diced green pepper, chopped pimiento, and finely chopped celery.
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Add Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Gently toss everything together until the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
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Season and Chill: Season the pasta salad with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together and for the salad to chill thoroughly.
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Serve: Once chilled, give the pasta salad a final toss to redistribute the dressing. Serve it as a delightful side dish for brunch, picnics, or as a light meal on its own. Enjoy the creamy, tangy goodness of this Simple Pasta Salad!
Tips:
- Customize Veggies: Feel free to add or substitute veggies based on your preferences. Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, or olives are excellent additions.
- Make Ahead: This salad can be made a day in advance. In fact, it often tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld together.
- Double the Batch: Hosting a larger gathering? Simply double the ingredients to make a bigger batch of this delicious pasta salad.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving again.
Serving Suggestions:
- Pair this Simple Pasta Salad with grilled chicken or fish for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Serve alongside crusty bread or garlic breadsticks for a delightful brunch spread.
- Pack it up in individual containers for a tasty and convenient lunch option on-the-go.