bonnie's ultimate pasta potluck salad

Cottonwood, CA
Updated on Sep 22, 2010

This is the Ultimate Pasta Potluck Salad. While there is a bit of prep work to this dish, it is well worth the effort. I always bring copies of this recipe when I take this dish to a barbecue. The flavor is outstanding! Enjoy! Photo from free site, recipe by a cook named Nancy.

prep time 30 Min
cook time
method Stove Top
yield 12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 4 - ounces wagon wheel macaroni or desired pasta (1 1/3 cups)
  • 4 - ounces tri-colored corkscrew macaroni or desired pasta
  • 1 - teaspoon crushed dried red pepper
  • 1 - medium red sweet bell pepper
  • 1 - medium yellow squash or zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
  • 1 - 10 ounce package frozen peas thawed
  • 1 - 6 ounce can pitted black olives, drained
  • 4 - ounces smoked cheddar cheese, cubed
  • 1 - cup unblanched whole almonds, toasted
  • 1/2 - cup sliced green onions
  • 2 - tablespoons snipped fresh tarragon, oregano or dill (i use tarragon)
  • 1 - 8 ounce bottle regular or fat free italian dressing. i use fat free caesar dressing

How To Make bonnie's ultimate pasta potluck salad

  • Step 1
    Cook the pasta according to package directions except add crushed red pepper to the cooking water. Rinse with cool water and drain thoroughly. Cool pasta to room temperature.
  • Step 2
    In a large mixing bowl combine pasta, sweet pepper, yellow squash or zucchini, peas, olives, cheese, almonds, green onions, and tarragon.
  • Step 3
    Add dressing to pasta mixture; toss gently to mix. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
  • Step 4
    Cook's tip: Be sure not to substitute the smoked cheddar cheese; it is crucial to the flavor of the dish. Optional: Add chopped avocado just before serving. Enjoy!

Discover More

Category: Pasta
Category: Pasta Salads
Category: Salads
Keyword: #ultimate
Keyword: #potluck
Keyword: #bonnie's
Keyword: #pasta
Keyword: #salad
Ingredient: Pasta
Culture: American
Method: Stove Top

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