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Subscribing too!

I keep it pretty simple but it is usually a hit. I use:
-Pasta (usually corkscrew)
-Red peppers
-Yellow peppers
-Green peppers
-Cherry tomatoes
-Cucumbers
-Feta
-Some sort of vinaigrette dressing (usually greek or a type of italian)

This is always a huge hit at parties!!

1 lb ziti
1 lb jarlsberg cheese cut into small cubes
1 red onion sliced into rings
1 box cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 package croutons
Dressing:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, mashed
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Cook ziti as directed. Mix jarlsberg, onion, and cherry tomatoes in a large bowl. When ziti is done drain and rinse in cold water until ziti is chilled. Add ziti to bowl. Make dressing and pour over the pasta mixture. Chill for at least an hour. Add Parmesan and croutons and mix well right before serving.

literally the best stuff ever:

3/4 box bowtie pasta
1/2 to 3/4 bag of fresh spinach (depending on how much you like)
3 green onions sliced (white and green parts)
toasted pecans

dressing (whisk all ingredients together):
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 TBLS dijon mustard
salt & pepper
pinch sugar

i usually don't use nearly as much olive oil. and sometimes we add feta cheese to make it fancy.

My secret is using good seasons zesty Italian mix! Make the dressing as directed. And I like using the veggie pasta. We usually mix in carrots, onion, peppers (green,red), pepperoni, cubes of cheddar cheese, broccoli, and then sprinkle in a bunch of parm cheese! Sooooo good.

My go-to pasta salad is pasta, tomatoes, red peppers, black olives, cucumbers (plus any veggies you really like), Ken's Italian Dressing, and Salad Supreme. They sell the salad supreme in the spice aisle at the grocery store and it just adds a little something. So good!

Another favorite is I take a bunch of veggies (asparagus, mushrooms, peppers, onions, zucchini) toss with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and roast them in the oven until browned. Toss with cooked orzo pasta, some olive oil, white balsamic dressing, some fresh grated cheese, and fresh basil. Very good and can be served warm or cold.

Yum, these all sound great!!

@BananaPancakes: it's all about the dressing!

We use cheese tortellini in our pasta salads and they're always a hit! Usually add in feta, bell peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, basil, and a balsamic vinaigrette. So yummy!

I'm anti-vinaigrette and such so a fave in our house is macaroni pasta shells tossed with ranch, bacon, onions, peas and parmesan cheese with salt and pepper. Super delish! It's best if you make it ahead of time (like the night before) and let it sit in the fridge for awhile, then just toss with some more ranch right before serving.

pasta, chicken, corn, cherry tomatoes (halved), fresh basil, and the dressing is equal parts olive oil and red wine vinaigrette with herbs de provence and salt and pepper. Topped with grated parmesan. SO GOOD and so easy. every time i make it (which is at least once a week in the summer) DH eats practically the whole thing!

@grizz: yup, me too! and it's great in summer when all the ingredients are so fresh. Sometimes we'll buy a rotisserie chicken during the week and use the leftovers to throw into the salad to make it even quicker on a work night.

I want to like pasta salad so badly, but it is usually the last thing I reach for. I need to read through this thread and see if something inspires me.

eta: I like the worst, fakest kind of pasta salad you can make:

Tortellini
Miracle Whip
Crab Sticks
chopped celery, cucumber, red pepper

I love Southwestern pasta salad, except I substitute the rotini for bow-tie pasta.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?recipeID=26297&origin=detail&servings=8&metric=false