Louise'S Main-Dish Pasta Salad
A colorful, hearty pasta salad with fresh vegetables, beans, and a tangy Italian dressing, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or casual family meals.
Ingredients
- 1 c. uncooked macaroni ⓘ
- 2 small carrots, sliced ⓘ
- 2 small green onions, chopped
- 1 (2 oz.) jar diced pimento, drained ⓘ
- 1 c. drained canned kidney beans ⓘ
- 3/4 c. diced celery ⓘ
- 1/4 c. cooked English peas ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1/4 c. Italian salad dressing ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. marjoram
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 2 medium tomatoes, sliced ⓘ
- 2 hard-cooked eggs, cut ⓘ
- lettuce leaves ⓘ
- parsley sprigs ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
- Combine cooked macaroni with sliced carrots, chopped green onions, drained pimento, drained kidney beans, diced celery, cooked peas, chopped parsley, Italian salad dressing, mayonnaise, marjoram, and pepper.
- Toss well and chill for 1 hour.
- Spoon the salad into lettuce leaves that line the serving dish.
- Arrange sliced tomatoes on top and place egg wedges around the salad.
- Garnish with parsley sprigs before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider substituting the Italian salad dressing with homemade vinaigrette. You can use whole wheat macaroni for a healthier option. Feel free to incorporate other vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch. If you're short on time, pre-chopped veggies can help speed up the preparation. This salad can also be served warm by adding the ingredients right after cooking the pasta.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this vibrant pasta salad as a main dish or as a side to grilled meats or sandwiches. It pairs beautifully with Grandma'S Beef With Chocolate Gravy for a hearty meal. Garnish with additional parsley or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for extra flavor. This dish is perfect for picnics or potlucks, ensuring everyone enjoys a refreshing taste.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To prevent the salad from becoming too dry, add a little extra mayonnaise or dressing before serving again. If you plan to reheat, do so gently in the microwave, adding a splash of water to maintain moisture. However, this dish is best enjoyed cold.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Louise'S Main-Dish Pasta Salad contains roughly 542 calories, with 30g protein, 101g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (156% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 548mg per serving (24% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, this pasta salad can be made a day in advance. In fact, allowing it to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight can enhance the flavors. Just keep in mind to stir in a bit more dressing before serving to refresh the taste.
What can I substitute for kidney beans?
If kidney beans aren't available, you can substitute them with chickpeas or black beans. Both options provide a similar texture and protein content while adding a different flavor profile. Just make sure to drain and rinse them well before adding to the salad.
Is this pasta salad gluten-free?
To make this pasta salad gluten-free, simply use gluten-free macaroni. There are many options available made from rice, quinoa, or chickpeas that work well. Just ensure that all other ingredients, such as the dressing and beans, are also certified gluten-free.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).