Pasta Salad recipe?

[Nic in KC]

Does anyone know how Woody's or Soggy Dollar make their pasta salad? It has to be really simple, but I love both of them and I don't know how to recreate it at home. If you have any other great pasta salad recipes, feel free to post them too.

Thanks!

[LysaC]

Very simple. Family always requests I make:

1 box Rotini (the looser spirals, not the tight ones)

Diced or julienned veggies- tomato, onion & cucumer required but have also used celery, shredded carrots, broccoli, whatever.

Ken's Lite Creamy Parmesan & Peppercorn dressing (or similar) to taste

Lite Viva Italian dressing (or similar italian dressing) to taste

Salt- Coupla shakes

Pepper- Lotsa shakes

McCormicks Salad Supreme- Lotsa shakes

Garlic powder- Coupla shakes (don't overdo the garlic powder= bitter)

As you can tell, I don't measure. I find that I usually use equal amounts of the wet stuff (dressings). Use a zippy italian dressing not a bland one.

Make sure to be conservative with the salt and the garlic powder. These can ruin the taste. Everything else is to taste. I like it very peppery!!

The crunch of the veggies, the color of the veggies (all in-season right now), the lightness of the dressings (vs. the usualy mayo) makes for a great summer pasta salad.

I've added grilled chicken too for a "main dish" appeal.

[Nic in KC]

Lysa,

Just wanted to say thanks for the recipe! I made it yesterday and served it with Garlic Lime Chicken and it was a hit!

Thanks again,
Nicolle

[LysaC]

Rockin'!!

[Lulu76]

I have Woody's Pasta salad recipe. Chad and/or Todd gave it to me. Let me go find it and I'll post it here. It's so yummy!

I also have a tortellini salad that is nothing like Woody's but probably my favorite thing in the world.

Standby!

[Lulu76]

Woody's Pasta Salad:

Obviously, this recipe may need to be adjusted for a smaller crowd.

4 lbs pasta
3 red/3 green peppers
2 onions
1/2 bag imitation crab (I'm assuming they use the giant bag)
1 1/2 cup mayo
2 shakes celery salt
6 shakes adobo
6 shakes black pepper
6 shakes garlic powder
4 shakes old bay seasoning

Mix it all together and yum!

[Lulu76]

Not like Woody's, but also super yummy.

TORTELLINI SALAD

1 pkg. frozen cheese tortellini
Red wine vinaigrette salad dressing

Zucchini
Carrots
Pea Pods
(Basically, any fresh veggie that you would like)
Cherry Tomatoes
Salami
Cheddar Cheese
Black Olives

Boil noodles. Depending on how soft you like the veggies, throw them in the noodles, until they are boiled to doneness. Drain mixture. Pour dressing over HOT noodles. MOST IMPORTANT – DRESSING POURS ON WHILE THE NOODLES ARE STILL HOT!!

Store in fridge.

Once it’s cooled, put black olives, cheese, salami and tomatoes – it’s really open to interpretation, whatever you want!!!

[Nic in KC]

Thank you so much for posting Lulu! I really enjoyed Lysa's salad, but it still wasn't Woody's. Some of those ingredients, I never would've thought to try. I'll be making this soon in a much smaller portion! Your other salad looks like a keeper too. Yum!

[Lulu76]

They are both delicious, but I love Woody's pasta salad, and I was so glad they parted with the recipe so I don't only get it once (OK, really I get it at least twice the week I'm there) per year.