Italian Pasta Salad

I love all kinds of pasta salads and I do believe that this is one of my favorites! It is so simple to throw together and there is nothing special about it but it is soooo good!! I almost ate this whole bowl by myself!

Ingredients:

Bottle of Italian Salad Dressing (I used Wishbone)
A box of Tri-color Rotini pasta
Cucumber
One Carrot
Pepperoni

Directions:

Cook pasta according to the directions on the back of the box.

After the pasta is cooked, drain it and run cold water over the pasta to cool it.

Place the pasta in a large bowl.

Chop cucumber into bite size pieces.

Shred the carrot.

Cut the pepperoni slices in half.

Dump all the ingredients on top of the pasta and add about half of the bottle of Italian dressing (I use  more but you can use more or less depending on your taste) 

Mix it all together and refrigerate for a coupe of hours so the flavors can marinate together.

ENJOY!!

BLT Salad

This salad is really delicious! It tastes exactly like a BLT!! The picture is not the best picture but trust me it is great!

Ingredients:

12 ounce corkscrew shaped pasta 

1/2 cup milk 

12 ounces lean bacon

3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup mayo  
1/4 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons chopped chives
Lettuce

Directions:

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water as the label directs.

Drain and toss with the milk in a large bowl; set aside.

Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp.

Drain on paper towels.

Discard all but 3 tablespoons drippings from the pan.

Add the tomatoes, thyme and garlic to the pan and toss until warmed through; season with salt and pepper.

Crumble the bacon into bite-size pieces; set aside 1/4 cup for garnish.

Toss the remaining bacon and the tomato mixture with the pasta.

Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream and 3 tablespoons chives with the pasta until evenly combined.

Season with salt and pepper.

Add the lettuce; toss again to coat.

Garnish with the reserved bacon and the remaining 1 tablespoon chives.

Serve at room temperature.

ENJOY!!

Caesar Pasta Salad

This is a wonderful, yummy salad! It is not your typical side salad.  I served this the other night with steak and it was a hit!! We loved it!

Ingredients:

1 lb pasta, any shape cooked
1 envelope Good Seasons Italian dressing, dry
2 cups  cherry tomatoes, halved
Romaine lettuce, washed, chopped
croutons
2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 to 3/4 (32 oz) bottle Caesar Dressing, refrigerated before using if possible

Directions:

Make ahead- if possible, the night before serving:

Place cooked pasta in a bowl. 

Sprinkle with dry dressing and about 1/2 cup of the dressing. Refrigerate overnight.

The next day, before serving:
Place the prepared pasta, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, croutons and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. 

Toss with about 1/2 of the bottle of dressing. 

Let sit for a few minutes, add additional dressing to taste just before serving.

ENJOY!!

Ranch Macaroni Salad

This might possibly be one of the best pasta salads I have ever had. I will definitely make this on a regular basis. 

Ingredients:

1 (14 ounce) Kraft Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese Dinner
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (1 ounce) package of ranch dressing mix
1 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion

Directions:

Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions

In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream and ranch dressing mix.  Stirring well to combine.

Stir prepared macaroni and cheese into ranch mixture. 

Stir in tomatoes and onions. 

Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until chilled.

ENJOY!!

Snicker Bar Salad

This is to DIE for!! The picture does not look too appetizing but trust me it is delicious! When I worked at the hospital, the Women's Hospital had a little cafe that would serve different salad, sandwiches and such and I was ADDICTED to this dessert salad! I was so in love with it that while I was in the hospital when I had my son I had my step-dad go and get me some of it from the cafe! Oh it is the best!!

Ingredients:

8 Granny Smith apples,cored
8 mini snickers bars or 2 full size or more if you like depending on your taste. ( I would recommend freezing or at least putting them in the fridge.  They will chop better cold.)
8 ounces of cream cheese at room temp
1 8 ounce jar of marshmellow cream
12 ounces of cool whip

Directions:

Cut your snickers bars and Granny Smith apples into bite size pieces

Cover and set aside

In large mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese, marshmellow, and cool whip until smooth and creamy.  (If cream cheese is not at room temp it will be clumpy and that is okay but it is better at room temp)

Fold in Snickers and apples

ENJOY!!

Servings Size

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Mandarin Orange Salad

My mom made this one day for dinner and I had to have the recipe!! It is delicious!! My 18 month old son LOVES it as well.  If you love dreamsicles you will love this salad!!

Ingredients:
3 snack cups of mandarin oranges
1 cup of sugar
small box of orange jello
8 oz package of cream cheese
5 TBSP milk or more
8 oz package of cool whip

Directions:
Place oranges (with juice) into a small pan. 

Add 1 cup of sugar and bring to a slight boil. 

Add package of orange jello.  DO NOT ADD WATER TO JELLO.

Mix well and sit aside to cool.

Meanwhile, Mix together cream cheese and milk.  Mix together until very creamy.  You may need to add a little more milk to get it to the right consistency.

Add cool whip and mix well.

Pour oranges into cool whip mixture.

Place into refrigerator until set. 

ENJOY!!