anyone have a PASTA SALAD recipe for the reception?

Thanks for the advice!!!

If you are doing cold foods (pasta salad, etc) you can rent a cold table from a local tent/table rental place. We originally were thinking of doing our reception outside at my folk's place. I'm not sure what the table cost, but it's a table with a deep inset where you can place a ton of ice to keep cold things cool. They also had those sterno food warmers there as well, to keep hot foods warm.

I would look into those so that you can avoid any food-borne illness issues. =)

My mom's recipe. You can adjust the amounts to make more

1 lb box/bag of rotini pasta-cooked al dente

1 tomato-diced

1 cucumber-diced

1 green peper-diced

1/2 onion-diced

1 jar green olives-drained

1 can small black olives-drained

1 pack Good Seasoning italian salad dressing

oil & vinager to make dressing

grated parm cheese

Cook pasta to al dente. DO NOT overcook or rinse after cooking. Let pasta cool completely. Mix all ingredients, but parm cheese. Chill in fridge until ready to serve. Have cheese for guests to sprinkle on themselves.

It's pretty easy and always a crowd pleaser. Remember, if you rinse the pasta off after cooking the dressing will not cling to it.

This recipe is SO GOOD and is super easy!

1 lb. tri-color rotelle pasta (I use Garden Delight)

1/2 cucumber

cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

1 small can black olives

1/2 can artichoke hearts

2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped (I sometimes use a Rotisserie chicken from the deli, but you can bake your own with Italian seasoning for about 20 minutes on 350)

1/4 cup salad vinegar

1 jar reduced fat (or full fat) Alfredo sauce

Cook pasta to al dente and let cool. Add in above ingredients. Pour in Alfredo sauce and vinegar and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Enjoy!

*Any of the ingredients are certainly optional; you can add as much or as little as you like, or add any other ingredients you particularly like.

** Other options: cubed mozzarella cheese, sunflower seeds, green bell pepper, or broccoli florets

Brian C. Yes I understand that...I'm a biology major, lol. I'm just saying that pasta salad (typically made with mayo) sitting out is a bad idea.

I'm going to assume that these folks preparing their side dishes are doing so in a clean and safe manner.

Ranch Pasta

1 (16 ounce) package cooked rotini pasta

10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoons dry ranch salad dressing mix

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup milk, or as needed

1 large tomato, chopped

1 (4.25 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained

1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1 bunch sliced green onion

Combine all, and refrigerate