Name: Pasta Salad Dressing - 3 Delicious Recipes!
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup white wine vinegar ((apple cider vinegar works too!)); 2 TBSP Italian seasoning blend ((Mrs. Dash is my favorite!)); 1/2 TBSP garlic powder plus extra to taste; 1/2 tsp sea salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 1 lemon ((juiced)); 2 TBSP Dijon mustard; 1 tsp dried parsley ((or 2 tsp fresh)); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp dried basil; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup avocado oil; 1/4 tsp lemon zest (plus extra to taste); 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice ((via 2 lemons)); 2 TBSP plain Dijon mustard; 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced; 1/4 tsp dried oregano leaves; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp black pepper

No kit or bottled dressing needed, whip up the most delicious pasta salad at home with these quick and easy pasta salad dressing recipes! They’re full of flavor and can be made in advance for drizzling over salads all week long!

Spring has sprung here in Florida and it already feels like Summer. YOWZA! Let’s beat the heat and chill our pasta!

It’s simply the right thing to do.

The unofficially official side dish of picnics and barbecues alike and here in the South, pasta salad is a total no-brainer.

Today I’m sharing my simple equation to help you whip up the most amazing custom pasta salad of your dreams, along with three tasty pasta salad dressing recipes that’ll have you coming back for more.

The pasta-bilities are endless.

First up, let’s start with some carbs!

– Noodle Options –

Use your favorite variety or clean out your pantry and use a combination of pasta shapes from all the unopened boxes in your pantry!

Tri-Colored Veggie Rotini – the classic
Bow-Tie Farfalle – when you’re feeling sophisticated
Mini-Shells – when you’re feeling nautical
ABC Pasta – when you’re channeling your inner child… or feeding the kiddos!
Elbow Macaroni – when there’s literally nothing left in your pantry
Spaghetti noodles – now you’re just getting desperate…
Tortellini – you’re my hero

– Veggie Options –

The more veggies the merrier! Here are some of our favorite vegetables to add to pasta salad:

Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Sliced Sweet Mini Peppers
Chopped Bell Peppers
Banana Peppers
Tomatoes (cherry, roma, heirloom)
Asparagus (blanched and chilled)
Marinated Artichoke Hearts
Snow, Sweet or Sugar Snap Peas
Avocado
Olives
Onion

– Pasta Salad Extras –

These tasty pasta salad toppers are next-level delicious! I’ve included a mix of vegan, vegetarian, and T-Rex options.

Cubed Cheddar Cheese
Marinated Mozzarella
Fresh Basil
Crumbled Feta or Goat Cheese
Sliced turkey, ham, or bacon crumbles (for the T-Rex crowd)
Thinly Shaved Fresh Parmesan-Romano Cheese
Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese
Fresh Dill
Fresh Parsley
Pumpkin Seeds
Sunflower Seeds

If you need some extra inspiration for your dream-combo pasta salad, I’ll list my favorite recipes at the bottom of this post.

Now let’s dress it up!

These easy homemade salad dressing recipes pair perfectly with pasta!

The Italian dressing is our original go-to pasta salad dressing but recently I’ve started to mix things up with a Greek vinaigrette and lemon dressing too. Pasta salad for everyone!

Pasta Salad Dressing Recipes – 3 Ways:

Pasta Salad Dressing - 3 Delicious Recipes!

No kit or bottled dressing needed, whip up the most delicious pasta salad at home with these quick and easy pasta salad dressing recipes! They're full of flavor and can be made in advance for drizzling over salads all week long!

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Dressing

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Pasta Salad Dressing

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: servings

Author: Jenn Laughlin - Peas and Crayons

Ingredients

ITALIAN DRESSING

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar (apple cider vinegar works too!)
2 TBSP Italian seasoning blend (Mrs. Dash is my favorite!)
1/2 TBSP garlic powder plus extra to taste
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

GREEK DRESSING

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 lemon (juiced)
2 TBSP Dijon mustard
1 tsp dried parsley (or 2 tsp fresh)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

LEMON DRESSING

1/4 cup avocado oil
1/4 tsp lemon zest plus extra to taste
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (via 2 lemons)
2 TBSP plain Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
1/4 tsp dried oregano leaves
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Italian Dressing

Whisk all ingredients together (or shake 'em up in a lidded mason jar) and allow to sit. Giving the dressing some time to mingle will not only infuse flavor into the oil/vinegar but also soften the dry herbs and seasoning.

Greek Dressing

Combine ingredients in a lidded jar and shake vigorously to emulsify. Allow to sit while you toss together your salad, then shake again before pouring over your pasta.

Lemon Dressing

Zest 1 lemon and set aside. Juice your lemons to yield 1/4 cup of juice and add to a small/medium mason jar. Add lemon zest and remaining dressing ingredients and close lid tightly. Shake well to emulsify the dressing, then pour over pasta salad.

Did you make this recipe?I want to see! Tag @peasandcrayons on Instagram and Facebook!

Looking for a few pasta salad recipes to get you started? Here are some of our favorites:

quick + easy pasta salad recipes

The lemon dressing above is AMAZING with both my Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Arugula and Feta and Lemon Asparagus Pasta Salad.

I use the Greek dressing in my Greek Orzo Pasta Salad and it’s amazing on classic pasta salad too!

As for the Italian dressing, it’s great on everything!

If you get a chance to try one (or all three!) of these easy homemade pasta salad dressing recipes, let me know!

Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation! I can’t wait to see what you whip up!