Easy Pasta Salad Dishes If you are having trouble viewing graphics, click here.

As each day gets warmer, now is the time to enjoy fresh, light foods that go well on both the indoor and outdoor table. That’s why pasta salads are such a favorite for the spring and summer months. Besides being delicious, pasta salads:

  • Take no time to prepare
  • Are a wonderful way to combine Barilla pasta with other nutritious foods
  • Provide a complete meal for lunch or dinner
  • Can be prepared as an accompaniment to other meals
Top 5 Easy Italian Pasta Salads

  • "Think creatively about making pasta dishes—it makes it more fun for you and for your family."
  • "Start simply…a little bit of passion, a little bit of love and an open mind to flavors."
  • "Pick a recipe that inspires you, makes your mouth water and go for it."
  • "Don’t worry. Taste as you go along, so you understand where you are headed. Start simple and you’ll be inspired!"

Find out how Giada selects pasta, what her favorite shapes are, and why she chooses Barilla. Read the full interview>>

A favorite for pasta salads, Rotini (or “twists”) are two-inch lengths of thick, screw-shaped pasta from Northern Italy. The shape was inspired by children because it’s fun to eat and pairs well with a wide variety of sauces. Try these Rotini recipes for your next summer dinner party or casual family meal at home:

For more of Barilla’s salad classic pasta shapes, click here>>



We want to provide you with the most useful and entertaining eNewsletter on authentic Italian cooking. Would you prefer easy, everyday recipes for your family or more advanced recipes with information from TV chef Giada De Laurentiis? Click here to tailor your next Barilla newsletter to your liking. You can always update your content preference as your cooking skills or recipe needs change.



In Pasta Salad 101, Chef Lorenzo Boni shows us a quick and easy way to make a perfect pasta salad using fresh Mediterranean flavors. Watch this video clip on how to prepare this elegant dish with minimal effort. Go>>



  


Classic Pasta Salad (Insalata di Pasta Classica)

Ease of preparation: Basic
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Servings: 7-9
Regions: Campania
Wine pairing: Red

Ingredients
1 box (12 ounces) BARILLA Tri-Color Rotini
2 jars (6 ounces each) marinated artichokes
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
8 ounces salami, chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6-8 fresh basil leaves, cut into strips

COOK pasta according to package directions; drain.
DRAIN artichokes, reserving 2 tablespoons liquid; chop artichokes.
MIX all ingredients with pasta in large bowl. Serve immediately.

Tip: ADD halved, pitted kalamata olives, if desired.