Ultimate pasta salad

8 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1poundsPasta; * see note
8ouncesItalian salad dressing
1cupSliced ripe Kalamata olives
OR green olives w/pimientos -Garnishes---
Leaf lettuce
Parmesan cheese
(whole) Olives
1largeTomato; seeded & chopped
Fresh parsley sprigs -Herb Garlic Mayonnaise---
cupMayonnaise; or less
2tablespoonsOlive oil
2tablespoonsRed wine vinegar
½cupChopped fresh parsley
2Cloves Minced garlic OR
¼teaspoonGarlic powder
2tablespoonsChopped green or red onion
1tablespoonSnipped fresh basil OR
1teaspoonDried basil
1tablespoonSnipped fresh oregano OR
1teaspoonDried oregano
½teaspoonFreshly ground black pepper

Directions

* Spiral, mostaccioli, or vermicelli suggested.

Begin the salad the day before serving. Cook pasta, drain, rinse with cold water and drain again. Toss with commercial Italian dressing and olives.

Cover and chill overnight. Since the dressing may not cover all the mixture may be put in ziplock plastic bag or tilt bowl to mix a couple of times while marinating. About 8 to 12 hours before serving combine ingredients for Herb Garlic Mayonnaise. Discard any excess Italian dressing from pasta, then mix pasta thoroughly with mayonnaise. Cover and chill. To serve, line platter or oval bowl with lettuce leaves, turn out pasta. Top with Parmesan and garnish with whole olives, chopped tomato and parsley. Serves 8 to 10.

Source: "Presentations...a collection of culinary favorites"; Friends of Lied; Lied Center for the Performing Arts; University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Lincoln, Nebraska. Formatted for Meal Master by: Nancy Filbert - Prodigy ID - LRCE87A; April, 1997. Lynn Thomas' notes: Made this 8-14-97.

Omitted garnishes, used 5 cloves garlic, Kraft fat free Italian Dressing, tuna, feta cheese, 20 slices cut-up turkey salami, 15 cherry tomatoes, halved and used plain rotini. Made the dressing the day before and the pasta in the morning and marinated it for 8 hours. This was the BEST pasta salad I've ever tasted.

Posted to TNT - Prodigy's Recipe Exchange Newsletter by WWGQ25C@... (MRS LYNN P THOMAS) on Aug 17, 1997