Hot Pasta Picnic Salad
By
Heather England
@Lilacwolfrose
1
I usually double this recipe. I use half for dinner, pop the rest in the fridge in an airtight container for a picnic later in the week.
I really love a meal I can change with my seasonal tastes. In the summer I "do it up right" with fresh ingredients from my local farmers market but the weather here in Michigan leaves me no choice but to use cans deep in the winter months.
I really love a meal I can change with my seasonal tastes. In the summer I "do it up right" with fresh ingredients from my local farmers market but the weather here in Michigan leaves me no choice but to use cans deep in the winter months.
Rating:
★★★★★ 1 vote5
Serves:
2 meals
Prep:
15 Min
Cook:
20 Min
Method:
Stove Top
Ingredients
-
1 boxbow tie pasta, any brand will do
-
2 can(s)del monte zucchini
-
2 can(s)-14.5 oz- diced italian style tomatoes-any brand
-
1 pkghillshire farms polish kielbasa
-
2 jar(s)* optional sliced button mushrooms -drained (whole is also an option)
-
1 can(s)**optional sliced black olives -drained
-
1tsp***optional minced garlic
-
2tsp****optional italian seasoning
-
pinch***** optional paprika, sweet mild
How to Make Hot Pasta Picnic Salad
- Boil pasta as package directs for Al Dente
While pasta is boiling slice kielbasa into medallions---OR if you have to use smaller noodles when Farfalle (bow tie) pasta isn't available dice precooked sausage of choice.
Drain pasta and set to the side. - In the same pot you've just boiled noodles in : toss in kielbasa chunks and warm through. Its great if some get just a bit of color on them. If you don't have that much time, its perfect any way you can warm it.
Open all cans and stir into meat-liquids and all!
Add pasta and stir gently so the soft noodles don't break. - **Optional---Every now and again to make this a "winter" instead of summer dish, I add a 1/2 tsp. of minced garlic with my sausage while it warms, and if I have the time,extra diced white onion.
***Add in your family's favorite seasonings. Because this dish is almost all canned or precooked, you should not need to add salt. I have also found garlic powder does not do well in this dish, but a pinch of Italian Seasoning and Paprika does wonders. - ** This dish get better after a day in the ol' chill chest. The tomatoes sweeten and the juice flavors the pasta.
- (*Note: I use all different kinds of precooked sausage. Even leftover brat's or summer sausage*)
About Hot Pasta Picnic Salad
Course/Dish: Pasta Salads Salads
Main Ingredient: Pasta
Regional Style: Italian
Dietary Needs: Low Fat Dairy Free
Other Tag: Quick & Easy
