A salad is just a salad until you add pasta.
Pasta salads are light and fresh, yet satisfying and filling. Pasta elements add dimension, comfort and heft, while other ingredients like fresh vegetables and herbs tie the salad together.
As with most one-bowl compositions, the possible combinations of ingredients are infinite. What kind of noodle? What type of protein? What kind of vegetables? And perhaps the most defining question: What will bind the pasta salad? Binding gives the salad that desired viscosity and mouthfeel, and also ramps up flavour.
Chef's Tip: When you’re creating composed salads and you want to keep it a bit lighter, consider binding the salad with a vinaigrette, or maybe Ranch or Caesar dressing. Another approach is to build on a vinaigrette by adding just a touch of mayonnaise for viscosity and body.
Inspiration and Recipes
Our team of chefs took on this favourite warm-weather dish, and the results bring lighter fare to your menu and are also on-trend, familiar, refreshing and satisfying.
Opening up the world of bindings beyond mayonnaise alone introduces high flavour notes and also keeps the pasta salad light as air. Of course, the pasta element in the salad is key, but Chef Aliza Katz, senior corporate chef at Kraft Foodservice notes that it doesn’t always need to take centre stage.
Choosing the right noodle depends on the context of the pasta salad. “I look for a pasta that sets off the other ingredients,” says Chef Katz. “You want to make sure the pasta doesn’t get lost, and you want it to bring in that desired texture.”
Behind the Recipes
Caesar-Seafood Pasta Salad
The Caesar-Seafood Pasta Salad delivers the familiarity and popularity of a Caesar salad with the added mega-appeal of seafood. Our chefs turned to Kraft Creamy Caesar dressing to bring in rich texture and vibrancy.
"The Caesar has wonderful notes of cracked black pepper, lemon and garlic. It's creamy but still keeps the salad on the lighter side, and it's just a perfect match for seafood," says Chef Katz.
BLT Pasta Salad
The BLT Pasta Salad fuses the much-loved classic BLT into a fresh pasta salad, using Kraft Rancher's Choice Dressing with roasted red peppers to bring it all together.
"We get these beautiful flecks of red from the pepper and the balanced, wonderful flavour of the Ranch," says Chef Katz.
Greek Olive-Whole Wheat Pasta Salad
This pasta salad turns to whole-wheat shells for structure and added texture. As a counterpoint to a hearty ingredient list, we toss it with Kraft Golden Italian dressing.
"The colour of the dressing is so vibrant, and it brings with it a great balance of herbs and vinegar," says Chef Katz.
Italian-Style Orzo and Grilled Chicken Salad
Here, we let the pasta take the backseat for a lower starch intake, while grilled chicken breast and butter beans add a double protein punch.
"This salad has great splashes of colour, and Kraft Golden Italian dressing adds more vibrancy in both colour and flavour," says Chef Katz.
Sesame Soba Noodle Salad
This Soba Noodle Salad answers the pan-Asian trend with lively flavour, using Kraft Signature Oriental Sesame dressing to bring out pleasing notes of soy, sesame and citrus.
"This salad wakes up that fifth sense, umami, with the mushroom and the soy sauce," says Chef Katz.
Rotini Pasta Salad with Spinach and Tomato
This pasta salad sings with fresh flavours from the spinach and tomato. Black olives and marinated artichoke introduce earthier tones.
"Here, we chose the Kraft Signature Sundried Tomato and Oregano dressing for its bright profile that complements this salad so beautifully," says Chef Basalik.
Click here for tips on pairing pasta salads with wine.
Your Quick Enhancements Recipe Guide
Try these Plus One (and Two) recipe ideas to turn your pasta salads into unforgettable signatures without reinventing the wheel. For maximum flavour delivery, pasta salads are best served either slightly chilled or at room temperature.
SIGNATURE MAYONNAISES
| RECIPES |
SAUCE INGREDIENTS |
OTHER ADD-INS |
| Pesto Mayonnaise |
1 ½ cups Kraft Mayo Real Mayonnaise
½ cup prepared pesto
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice |
Grape tomatoes |
| Southwest Mayonnaise |
½ cup Miracle Whip Dressing
½ cup prepared salsa |
Roasted corn
Roasted poblano chilies |
| Red-Pepper Bistro sauce |
½ cup Kraft Mayo Real Mayonnaise
3 Tbsp. Sauce Works Dijon Bistro Sauce
4 Tbsp. red-pepper purée |
Sun-dried tomato |
CREAMY DRESSINGS
| RECIPES |
SAUCE INGREDIENTS |
OTHER ADD-INS |
| Mediterranean |
½ cup Kraft Creamy Caesar Dressing
¼ cup kalamata olives
¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes |
Roasted red pepper |
| Orange-Curried Ranch |
1 cup Kraft Rancher's Choice Dressing
1/3 cup orange marmalade
2 tsp. curry powder |
Golden raisins |
| Provençale |
1 cup Kraft Signature Creamy Cucumber Dill Dressing
¼ cup buttermilk |
English cucumber
Smoked salmon |
VINAIGRETTES
| RECIPES |
SAUCE INGREDIENTS |
OTHER ADD-INS |
| Sweet Asian Honey Mustard |
½ cup Kraft Honey Mustard Dressing
¼ cup green onion
½ tsp. fresh ginger |
Sautéed shrimp |
| Mandarin Orange |
1 cup Kraft Signature Mandarin Orange with Sesame Dressing
¼ cup soy sauce |
Red and yellow pepper |
| Sweet & Spicy Italian |
1 cup Kraft Golden Italian Dressing
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup puréed chipotle |
Artichoke hearts
Grape tomato |