How to Make a Simple and Delicious Pasta Salad

According to SAEDNEWS, if you live near the sea and enjoy seafood, you can add tuna to your salad. Tuna adds a very pleasant and delicious flavor to pasta salad. In this article, we will guide you step-by-step on how to prepare this delightful salad and share some secrets to make it even tastier.

Ingredients for Pasta Salad for 4 People

• Shaped pasta: 1 package

• Chicken breast, ham, or tuna: 300 grams

• Green peas: 100 grams

• Corn: 100 grams

• Mayonnaise: as needed

• Pickles: 6 medium-sized

• Salt and black pepper: to taste

• Boiled carrots: 3 medium-sized

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Before you start, prepare all the ingredients and place them on the table. Bring a suitable pot of water to a boil. Once the water boils, add some salt and a little turmeric. The salt prevents the pasta from becoming mushy, and the turmeric gives the pasta a golden color.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Add the shaped pasta to the boiling water. Once the pasta is fully cooked, drain it. To remove the starch, rinse the pasta with cold water. Allow the excess water to drain from the pasta.

Step 3: Chop the Salad Ingredients

Chop the pickles, carrots, and chicken breast or ham into small cubes. Use a large bowl for this step. Add half of the corn and green peas to this mixture. Set aside the other half for garnishing the salad if desired.

Step 4: Add the Pasta and Mayonnaise

Add the cooked pasta to the bowl. Next, add mayonnaise. You can also use a little yogurt to make the salad tastier and healthier. Mix one cup of yogurt with the mayonnaise for added flavor.

Adjust the seasoning by adding salt and black pepper to taste. The salad is now ready to be garnished according to your preference. Cover the bowl with a suitable lid, aluminum foil, or plastic wrap to prevent the salad from drying out. Place the salad in the refrigerator to rest and allow the flavors to meld together.

Important Tips for Making Pasta Salad

To make your pasta salad even tastier, here are some tips:

• Adding fresh herbs like chopped basil, tarragon, and parsley can enhance the flavor. Use these herbs in moderation; one cup of chopped herbs is enough.

• Dried dill can also be used to improve the taste of the salad.

• A few drops of natural lemon juice can enhance the flavor.

• Using tuna and dry or smoked sausage can make the salad exceptionally delicious.

Making a Healthier Pasta Salad

For a healthier pasta salad, use olive oil instead of mayonnaise, which is high in fat. Chicken breast is healthier and more natural compared to ham. You can flavor the ingredients with olive oil, dried dill, black pepper, and fresh lemon juice. Adding a few pieces of boiled and chopped potatoes can make the salad more nutritious.

How to Shape Pasta Salad

To create a beautiful and elegant pasta salad, shape it using a mold. Line the bottom of your mold or container with plastic wrap. Fill the mold with the salad mixture, making sure to press it down to fill the entire mold. Cover the mold with another layer of plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Once the salad has rested and set, it is ready to be unmolded.

How to Prevent Pasta Salad from Drying Out

Sometimes, pasta salad can absorb all the mayonnaise and appear dry after being refrigerated. This happens because shaped pasta tends to absorb moisture. To prevent this, add a little olive oil to the salad ingredients. A few drops of olive oil will keep the surface of the salad soft and glossy.

Recipe for a Delicious and Unique Pasta Salad Dressing

To finish, here is a recipe for a delicious and unique salad dressing. You will need mayonnaise, olive oil, dried dill, fresh yogurt, grated garlic, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Thyme powder can also enhance the flavor. Use equal parts mayonnaise and fresh yogurt. Add one grated garlic clove to the mayo-yogurt mixture. Olive oil and dried dill give the salad a delightful flavor. Add lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and thyme powder to the dressing. Mix well and let the flavors meld together. This dressing is ready to be used for your pasta salad.