This is almost identical to what I make. I read a review that the Italian dressing was overkill. I would like to suggest that you allow people to add their own dressing. We also serve the parmasean cheese on the side because people like different amounts. We found that "Newman's Own" Oil and Vinegar is especially well liked by most people. If you like it a bit spicier try the salad seasoning you find in the herbs & spices section as well. Also we find that halved cherry tomatoes are prettier and often have more flavor than most tomatoes we get up north. Also you can try sliced black olives for color contrast & variety. It's really a great recipe though both as suggested and with your own touches. People have varied tastes and by letting them add their own seasoning they can adjust amounts with ease. You won't have the chance to "marinate " but for company dieters diet-restricted and/or a husband like mine (who won't use dressing at all) it's essential!
I'm giving this perticular recipe only 4 stars not because it isn't delicious but because I make it slightly differently. First I use whatever pasta we have a lot of... Right now the Family Fav is "Whole Wheat" pasta incuding some spaghetti broken up to look like "worms". (We have boys any questions? LOL) I use anything in the fridge that needs using; including- any fresh veggies ham bacon pepperoni cubed or shredded cheese (any cheese I use I add at serving time as it can become slimey). Olives in our house are a must: green or black & I use them whole (drained). Fresh onions & garlic: finely chopped & chushed respectively also. I leave the whole salad rather dry using only a small amount of olive oil & red or white wine vinegar shaken together to keep it moist. The rest of the family adds whatever Italian-type dressing they want at serving time. My preference is "Good Seasons- Zesty Italian" dry salad dressing mix made with balsamic vinegar & olive oil. However I've also used fat-free Italian dressing with good results but keep in mind that "Fat-Free" dressing absorbs/dries out quickly and should be used at serving time. Add some crumbled Feta instead of- or with the Parm. (But then again; I've never met a Feta that I don't like...);-) Oh yeah- I serve the peppers on the side becaucse I hate the damned things.
Oh boy definitely overkill on the italian dressing!! This is the kind of salad that you can add whatever makes your taste buds dance. I didn't use the bottled dressing however used balsamic vinegar and olive oil along with my own spices. I also added green and black olives red and green peppers and herb feta cheese. Yum!
I took this to a pot luck over the weekend and it was a HUGE hit. I doubled the recipe and didn't have a bite left (approx 20 people). I didn't measure any ingredients I just added veggies until it looked right. For the double recipe I only used one bottle of dressing. Two would've worked but it would've been much too oily for me. I'll be making this again at the request of the other guests!!
I tried this recipe because I wanted a tasty pasta salad that didn't have eggs & was easy to prepare. It is great! The only changes I made were: 2 bottles of Italian dressing???!! I only used 3/4 cup of dressing and it seemed plenty and coated well. I added a tad more Parmesan to taste and I thought it lacked pepper big time. Other than that this is a keeper! I will post a picture of it shortly....enjoy!
Very yummy salad! Please do not use 2 whole bottles on this salad one is more then enough. I added cubes of provolone in this and both green and black olives. Gonna try pepperoni in this or salami the next time. Family said this was best Pasta salad they have ever had.
This was a hit at my group picnic! I took the suggestion of some of the other reviewers and only used 1 bottle of Italian dressing. I also chopped all the veggies fine because it was easier and I just like it better that way. It was very easy tasted great and looked good too. =)
We had a bunch of people over for a big BBQ this weekend so I kicked it up a lot. We only used one bottle of dressing and added Gorgonzola and Blue Cheese as well as Bacon Bits and some mushrooms. It didn't last long!
Excellent!!! I used one italian dressing instead of two.
Not bad but as another reviewer said this really is just Italian dressing on pasta. I do like the veggies though. I used pre-shredded carrots from a bag to save time. I also felt that 2 entire bottles of Italian dressing was way way too much! I mixed all the other ingredients together first then added the dressing slowly and kept tasting it until I felt it was just right. The Parmesan is a nice touch.
