Favorite Pasta Salads

Spring is here, which always puts me in the mood for a great pasta salad! Here are my 3 favorites, in no particular order... Oh, and you are sure to get TONS of compliments and recipe requests if you bring any of these to a get-together!



Greek Pasta Salad
1 lb. bow tie pasta
sliced black olives
Greek peppers, sliced ( I use a whole jar but you don't have to use that many)
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup red and white balsamic vinegar
3-4 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
juice of one lemon
1 T. dried oregano
1 T. dried basil
1/2 T. garlic salt
pepper and salt to taste
6 - 8 oz. feta crumbled feta cheese
sliced green onions
1 can artichoke hearts, quartered

Cook and drain pasta,al dente. Combine oil, vinegars, lemon juice and spices and let them stand. Drain pasta and add olives, peppers and green onions to pasta. Pour oil/vinegar over pasta and toss. Last add artichokes and feta and toss again. Taste and add more spices, oil or vinegar if needed. For best taste refrigerate a few hours before serving.
***Can add chicken to this to create a main dish!

Terrific Tortellini Salad
Make 24 hours ahead – do not add tomatoes until ready to serve
20 oz family size package Buitoni Mixed Cheese Tortellini (at publix near lunch meat)
1 small green bell pepper and 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 cucumber, quartered and sliced (remove seeds)
1 14 oz can artichoke hearts, rinsed and drained and cut in quarters (not marinated)
1 8-oz bottle Lite Caesar dressing (publix brand)
1 pint grape tomatoes
Prepare tortellini according to package directions; drain in colander
Immediately rinse with cold water; drain well. Combine tortellini and next 5 ingredients in large bowl; mix together, cover and chill overnight.
Add tomatoes before serving and toss.
To remove cucumber seeds, quarter cucumber lengthwise and run knife under the seed area and discard.

3 Bean Wacky Sweet Salad
1 package wacky mac
1 can green beans, drained
1 can wax beans, drained
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 cup chopped sweet onion
¾ cup cider vinegar
½ cup salad oil
2/3 cup sugar
1 ½ cups (1 package) halved cherry tomatoes)
Salt and pepper

Prepare Wacky Mac according to directions; rinse with cool water. Meanwhile, combine drained beans and chopped onion in large bowl. In separate small bowl, combine cider vinegar and salad oil; slowly add in sugar to dissolve. Add drained Wacky Mac and vinegar mixture to beans. Add tomatoes and salt and pepper. Gently toss to combine.
***This is probably my favorite to make for functions. It's so easy and everyone LOVES it!!!