How to fix pasta salad?

[wishesuponastar]

I made pasta salad last night that no one liked the taste of. I used bottled italian dressing, broccoli and olives. Do you think I could rinse the dressing off of it and then re-heat the pasta to put marinara sauce over it? Forgot to say, I would take out the broccoli and olives first.

 

[RachaelA]

Seriously? Pasta costs like $1 a box. I would just toss it.

 

[wishesuponastar]

I was just thinking that too, it was 77 cents for the box. Now I have to find a good pasta salad dressing

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

I'm sorry no one liked it, but, I think broccoli and olives are very strong to mix with italian dressing. How about some onions, green and/or red peppers and some tomatoes? That's how I do mine and it's always a hit, but, if you take the olives and the broccoli out at his point, it will be pointless as the pasta will probably taste like broccoli and olives by now....

 

[dreamin_disney]

What type of pasta did you use????Black or green olives???

I use the cork screw type regular and an orange color.

I use wishbone itlian salad dressing
i put cucumber, tomoato, black olives and its always a hit. I keep it simple because its cheaper that way. Even my picky dd loves it!

 

[scrapquitler]

I made pasta salad last night that no one liked the taste of. I used bottled italian dressing, broccoli and olives. Do you think I could rinse the dressing off of it and then re-heat the pasta to put marinara sauce over it? Forgot to say, I would take out the broccoli and olives first.

To make the pasta salad better, add some other things to it like diced peppers and onions, chunks of pepperoni and cheese, shredded carrots and some spices (black pepper, parsley, seasoning salt, etc).

At this point, the italian dressing has soaked into the pasta and rinsing it isn't going to remove the flavor of it at all. If you don't think anyone will eat the leftovers, just throw it away.

 

[The Princess]

I use wishbone salad dressing but I think the "trick" is I also use salad supreme. Its the by the spices.

 

[Swimalie]

What type of pasta did you use????Black or green olives???

I use the cork screw type regular and an orange color.

I use wishbone itlian salad dressing
i put cucumber, tomoato, black olives and its always a hit. I keep it simple because its cheaper that way. Even my picky dd loves it!

That's how I make mine as well. It's a huge hit with people. To spice it up, I add Salad Seasonings as well. Maybe that can be added to the salad to make it a bit better.

 

[Madison'smommy]

I use a box of the tri color pasta, Kraft Zesty Italian dressing, chopped up onions, green peppers, and black olives depending on who it is being made for (my DH doesnt like olives). It is SO easy, and I get lots of requests to make it!

 

[gracie1]

When I make mine I get the tricolor pasta, put in the Zesty Italian dressing, tomatoes, turkey pepperoni and sharp cheddar cheese cut into little cubes. It's also good if you add green and red peppers diced up in it.
The main thing that makes it taste good is the seasoning. I have McCormick Salad Supreme that you sprinkle into it and mix and gives it amazing flavor!

 

[SaraJayne]

I made pasta salad last night that no one liked the taste of. I used bottled italian dressing, broccoli and olives. Do you think I could rinse the dressing off of it and then re-heat the pasta to put marinara sauce over it? Forgot to say, I would take out the broccoli and olives first.

No. Throw it away.

 

[DaisyD]

Pasta is cheap. Toss it. I must be one of the only ones that hate pasta salad. I'd rather have potato or mac salad. I can't stand the nasty taste of the pasta ones.

 

[trinchick]

I get raves over my pasta salad. I start with farfalle (bow ties) and use Yasou Greek salad dressing, diced cucumber, grape tomatoes, black olives, and feta cheese.

 

[wishesuponastar]

To make the pasta salad better, add some other things to it like diced peppers and onions, chunks of pepperoni and cheese, shredded carrots and some spices (black pepper, parsley, seasoning salt, etc).

At this point, the italian dressing has soaked into the pasta and rinsing it isn't going to remove the flavor of it at all. If you don't think anyone will eat the leftovers, just throw it away.

Thank you so much for your recommendation to add pepperoni and cheese!
I think we will like it better that way, oh and with pepper and seasoning too.
Like others said, I used the Wishbone italian dressing.

 

[ORDisneyfans]

My pasta salad is always requested at parties! Super easy but not really budget! I use Newmans Own Italian dressing, black olives, marinated mushrooms and artichokes, cubed mozzarella, slices or cubes of salami, red pepper strips, cherry or grape tomatoes. I usually use the tri color spiral pasta, but any good firm pasta works well. Don't overcook your pasta as the dressing will also soak into it.

A more budget friendly salad is an asian type noodle salad. I use spaghetti or linguine noodles, broccolli (you can lightly steam this first), red pepper strips and sesame seeds. Toss with an asain sesame dressing either store bought or I make my own with rice vinegar, soy sauce, little sugar, salt and pepper. Serve cold!

 

[wishesuponastar]

Your pasta salad sounds awesome with the mushrooms and aritchokes but I'm afraid my kids won't like it. I copied it though to bring to a potluck, thanks!

 

[crazelion]

pasta
tomatoes
cucumbers
itlation dressing

It very simple dish to make

 

[ceecee]

I think black olives and broccoli sound good in pasta salad. Maybe there's too much dressing. You could tone it down with added ing like cheese and maybe more pasta. May be too strong for marinara sauce at this point. I made broccoli slaw and no one liked it, so I had it all week for lunch!

 

[happygirl]

A lot of you say oh just toss the pasta it's only a dollar, but there a many many many people that don't have a lot of dollars to waste.

I myself see nothing wrong, with rinsing the pasta off and reusing it

 

[IUTBAM]

My favorite pasta salad (better if made at least a day before):

One package of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, prepared as directed (I use fat free mayo to prepare it)
One box of penne pasta, cooked
One small purple onion, chopped
One small package of pea pods, rinsed and cut in half
1/2 cup of REAL bacon bits/pieces
1-2 cups of tomatoes, chopped (depending on how much you like tomatoes)
Optional: One cucumber chopped
Optional: Grilled chicken
Optional: Sliced almonds

Mix it all together and let it sit overnight. YUM! I will sometimes add just a touch of ceasar dressing to it (not much, because we eat low-fat).