How To Make The Best Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a versatile dish that allows for creativity with a variety of flavours and pasta shapes. To make a truly standout pasta salad, it's essential to use quality ingredients and follow a few simple tips—exactly what this guide will offer.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the key do’s and don’ts of making pasta salad, so you can create a dish everyone around the table will love. Before we dive in, let’s explore some of the best occasions for serving up a delicious pasta salad!
The Best Occasions to Make Pasta Salad
Pasta salad isn’t just a summer dish—it’s a versatile favourite for all kinds of occasions throughout the year. Here are some of the best times to enjoy it:
- Picnics: Ideal for sunny days, pasta salad holds up beautifully in warm weather, staying fresh and flavourful. Pack it along for a no-fuss, tasty dish that can handle the heat.
- Parties: Easy to prepare in large quantities, pasta salad is a perfect addition to any gathering. Its crowd-pleasing appeal makes you the star of the event whenever you bring it along!
- Meal preparation: Pasta salad stores wonderfully in the fridge, making it a smart choice for meal prep. Whip up a big batch, and you’ll have tasty, ready-to-go lunches to enjoy for days.
The Best Ingredients to Use for Your Salad
With so many tasty ingredients to choose from, here’s a breakdown of what to use to make the best pasta salad—from pasta shapes to dressings and cheese.
The Best Pasta Types
For pasta salads, short pasta shapes like fusilli, rotini, farfalle, cavatappi, or orecchiette work best. Each shape adds its own look and texture, so choose what suits your style! Fusilli, farfalle, and rotini are great if the pasta salad is your main dish, while smaller shapes like orecchiette and cavatappi work nicely as a side. And feel free to swap in your favourite shape—whatever works for you!
The Best Dressing to Use to Add Flavour
Most great pasta salad dressings start with a base of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, then layer in flavourful ingredients like garlic or Dijon mustard, depending on the recipe:
- Classic: Mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and Dijon mustard for a simple, flavourful dressing that pairs beautifully with Saputo Bocconcini.
- Bright and fresh: Swap garlic for honey and lemon zest for a lighter dressing with a touch of sweetness—perfect for enhancing Saputo Bocconcini.
- Veggie-packed option: Looking for a dressing with more vegetables? Start with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and add tomatoes, peppers, olives, shallots, and garlic for a hearty, veggie-filled flavour.
- Light veggie twist: For a simpler vegetable dressing, keep it light with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil.
Pro tip: A pinch of salt and pepper takes any of these dressings to the next level, so don’t hold back!
The Best Cheeses to Complete Your Recipe
When it comes to choosing the best cheeses for pasta salad, three stand out: Saputo Cocktail Bocconcini Cheese, Saputo Parmesan Cheese Petals and Saputo Feta Cheese. It’s not hard to understand why Parmesan is a classic favourite with pasta, thanks to its distinctively rich flavour. Saputo’s Cocktail Bocconcini, on the other hand, is soft, milky, and mild—ideal for salads of all kinds, pasta salad included. Saputo Feta Cheese is also a great choice for pasta salads because its slightly tangy flavour adds a refreshing contrast to the other ingredients, while its crumbly texture makes it blend well with them.
How to Make the Best Pasta Salad: Steps and Tips
Great news: pasta salad is simple to prepare, so anyone can make an impressive one! Here’s the basic process most pasta salad recipes follow:
- Cook the pasta just right: Use a large pot and cook the pasta in well-salted water for around 10 minutes, until it’s perfectly al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and then immediately drain and spread the pasta on a baking sheet or in a large bowl. Toss with a splash of olive oil to keep it from clumping, and let it cool to room temperature to avoid melting the cheese or wilting any fresh ingredients.
- Add ingredients thoughtfully: Once the pasta is cool, mix in your salad ingredients, like vegetables, herbs, and proteins, layering flavours for the best results.
- Prepare the dressing separately: In a separate bowl, whisk together your dressing ingredients. For best results, add the dressing gradually and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Toss and chill before serving: Gently pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until every ingredient is coated. Cover and chill the salad for at least 20–30 minutes to let the flavours blend and prevent any ingredients, like cheese or greens, from wilting.
- Garnish right before serving: For an extra burst of flavour, add Saputo Parmesan Cheese Petals, fresh herbs, or even toasted nuts right before serving. This final touch keeps everything fresh, vibrant, and full of texture.
- Serve and enjoy!
The Best Recipe Ideas
Now that you’re set with the right ingredients and steps for a perfect pasta salad, here are four top recipes to spark inspiration and impress your guests:
Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe
This easy pasta salad features standout ingredients like diced Italian tomatoes, light tuna in olive oil, and Kalamata olives. It’s also the simplest recipe on the list, with just two steps, making it nearly as easy as tossing everything together. Don’t mistake simplicity for blandness—Saputo Parmesan Cheese Petals and minced chives make this recipe one to remember!
Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta and Brown Butter Vinaigrette
This delicious orzo pasta salad sets itself apart with its fresh Saputo Feta Cheese and its incredibly tasty brown butter vinaigrette. The latter is made by letting some butter brown until it’s deep gold, then adding in ingredients such as jalapeño, honey and lemon juice to create the best brown butter mix possible. And that’s not all! On top of the Feta and vinaigrette, this salad is garnished with crispy prosciutto at the end: now you understand why we call it delicious!
Caprese-Inspired Pasta Salad Recipe
This pasta salad combines unique ingredients like crisp pancetta cubes, Saputo Cocktail Bocconcini and artichokes to give your tastebuds a one-of-a-kind experience. Its Dijon mustard and minced garlic dressing is deliciously addictive, and a finishing touch of balsamic glaze makes it irresistible.
Roasted Garlic Pasta Salad with Fresh Herbs and Bocconcini Recipe
For maximum flavour, this recipe cooks the pasta in garlic chicken broth, then elevates the dressing with honey and lemon zest. Fresh herbs and Saputo Cocktail Bocconcini give this pasta salad a fresh, mouth-watering taste.
Vegetable and Parmesan Cheese Pasta Salad Recipe
Perfect for veggie lovers, this recipe includes grape tomatoes, orange bell peppers, shallots, and finely chopped garlic for a vibrant flavour. The key ingredient? Saputo Parmesan Cheese Petals, with their rich, nutty taste.
Pro tip: adding arugula on top brings both flavour and visual appeal.
Your Ideal Pasta Salad Awaits You
No matter which short pasta you choose—fusilli, rotini, farfalle, cavatappi, or orecchiette—adding cheese will make it even better! Saputo Cocktail Bocconcini Cheese and Saputo Parmesan Cheese Petals will elevate your salad, delighting your guests with every bite. Get ready to make the best pasta salad yet—thank us later!
