This is my favorite pasta salad recipe. I love the variety of veggies in it. It’s the perfect fresh summer salad. I appreciate that it does not have any ingredients that you need to worry about spoiling quickly if sits out – such as mayo, cheese, meat or eggs. It makes a large batch, perfect for taking to get-togethers!
Ingredients:
5 Ribs of Celery
2 Roma Tomatoes
1/2 Container of Button Mushrooms
1/2 Large Red Onion
1 Large Cucumber
1 Can Black Olives
1 Package Wacky Mac or Rainbow Rotini Noodles
1 Cup Italian Dressing
2 Teaspoons Paprika
Begin by preparing the noodles according to the package directions. While your noodles are cooking you can begin preparing your vegetables.
Wash your celery then chop into small pieces.
Wash your tomatoes, de-seed them and chop them. 
Wipe your mushrooms off with a slightly damp paper towel to get any specs of dirt off. I remove the stems (sometimes they can be woody) and then chop.
Peel & chop your red onion.
Wash, peel, de-seed and chop your cucumber. 
Drain & chop your black olives. 
If I am making the salad for myself, I chop the pieces more finely than if I am taking to a pot luck. If I am taking it to share with others I chop the veggies a little bit bigger so they are easier for people to pick out if they do not care for that particular veggie.
Finally, add the Italian dressing and paprika. Stir to coat. This salad is best if it chills for a few hours or overnight so the pasta can absorb the flavors of the veggies and dressing.
Feel free to pin this recipe for future use! I hope you enjoy! Please let me know if you give it a try!
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Hi, my name is Asha. I am 34-years-old and am a nurse by profession. Right now I am battling Breast Cancer. My husband and I have been married for 8 years and together we have a sweet seven-year-old daughter, a fun four-year-old son, and a lovable bunny named Caramel. I enjoy spending time with family, taking photographs, scrapbooking, hunting, fishing, cooking and gardening.
This post currently has 22 responses.
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Sarah L
That is a bright and colorful salad. I like that it’s one you can take to a picnic and not have to worry about it.
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ellen beck
Yum that looks good! I have had this salad and I have to agree it is delicious and makes for a great picnic dish. The version I had did not have the mushrooms in it, perhaps because they werent plentiful at the time. I have also had this with green olives too, it makes it have a different taste but is still as good!
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gloria patterson
I am a fan of pasta salad have one in my frig right now. I like this and never thought of doing ” little bit bigger so they are easier for people to pick out if they do not care for that particular veggie”
Also I like the mix of pasta which I have not done but will from now on
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I really like pasta salads. I would like to make this one too. I might add chick peas and maybe green beans. That would be really good to me.
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Darcy Koch
Yom!! Perfect for a backyard get together or just a routine meal. Since my hubby is allergic to mushrooms, I would leave those out but have a separate bowl with them for those who want them.
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Julie Waldron
This sounds really good! It would be great for summer barbecues because it can stay out & I wouldn’t have to worry about it spoiling.
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Deborah D
This sounds yummy except for the olives. That is the only thing I won’t put in this recipe when I make it.
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Alice F.
Looks delicious! My MawMaw used to make a very similar pasta dish and I would always take home the leftovers. The great part was that as delicious as it was, it was even better the nest day.
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John Smith
That looks like a lot of zesty veggies and pasta!
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Lesley F
I have always loved cold pasta dishes and this one looks so good
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Katie Miller
We have pasta salad once a week. I never add paprika, definitely trying it.
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Rosie
This does sound so good. I haven’t made a pasta salad in a long time, I’d like to try this one! It is a good one to bring to get togethers, without the mayo or anything that could make a health problem!
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Elizabeth Miller
I love pasta salad but my husband is not big on it because there is a spice that people tend to overuse on it. This sounds really good and since the only seasoning is the paprika, I am going to try it with him.
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Deanna Marissa
This recipe looks delicious. I am sure gonna try this.
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Wow! This looks yummy! I need to try this recipe. Thanks!
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Tamra Gibson Gibson
I’m so glad you posted this. I normally go for desert recipes but after reading how your family went to a plant based diet I figured I’d search for a healthier alternative and this so happens to be one of my favorites. Thank you
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Brandon Sparks
OMG! This sounds amazing. I now know what I am making for dinner tomorrow. I just hope mine turns out as good as this one looks. My family will love me for making this. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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Maryann D.
My son loves Wacky Mac pasta. He enjoys eating it with just butter on it. But I would enjoy making this tasty pasta salad for myself!
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Michelle S
I’m always on the lookout for easy pasta salads. This one looks yummy and fairly simple to put together.
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gala
This looks yummy! I need to try this recipe tonight, so simple and tasty
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Helga
Antipasto is one of my favorite cold dishes. This is a similar recipe I would enjoy.
Yummy! I love pasta salad, it is definitely something that I could eat all day, every day. This recipe sounds absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try it! Thank you so much for sharing!