104 light and fresh pasta salad Recipes

orzo pasta, part-skim ricotta cheese, light sour cream, lemon zest (from about 1 lemon), fresh lemon juice, salt, freshly ground black pepper, fresh corn kernels (sliced from 2 ears of corn), red onion, finely diced, rinsed , and thoroughly dried (about 3/4 cup), shredded cooked chicken (light and dark meat), halved grape tomatoes, sliced basil leaves

uncooked pasta shells, light sour cream, light mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey mustard, chopped fresh dill, salt, ground black pepper, cooked crabmeat, diced red bell pepper, diced green bell pepper, chopped green onions

water, dry white wine, skinned, boned chicken breast halves, garlic clove, sliced, plain low-fat yogurt, light mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, cider vinegar, spicy brown mustard, salt, dried oregano, garlic powder, black pepper, cooked tubetti or ditalini (very short tube-shaped pasta) (about 1 1/3 cups uncooked pasta), chopped celery, chopped red bell pepper, chopped green bell pepper, chopped carrot, chopped fresh parsley

farfalle pasta, uncooked (bow-tie), fresh broccoli florets, cooked chicken (cut into strips), grape tomatoes, halved, zesty light italian dressing, sharp light cheddar cheese (shredded or crumbled ), monterey jack cheese (shredded or crumbled ), parmesan cheese (grated )

rotini pasta, light olive oil, fresh lime juice, cayenne , to taste, ground cumin, salt, dried cilantro, garlic cloves, crushed, salsa , to taste, white wine vinegar, whole kernel corn (can, frozen or fresh ), black beans, drained and rinsed, green bell pepper, diced, red bell pepper, diced, fresh cilantro leaves , rough chopped, tomatoes, halved, black olives, sliced, red onion, avocado, sliced

macaroni, frozen peas, thawed, chopped fresh broccoli, julienned carrots, canned yellow corn, chopped fresh tomato, chopped red bell pepper, prepared dijon-style mustard, italian-style salad dressing, balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing, celery seed, crushed, light brown sugar

uncooked cavatappi pasta or elbow macaroni, asparagus (about 1 lb), olive oil, prosciutto, chopped, sliced shallots, light mayonnaise, grated lemon rind, chopped fresh tarragon, fresh lemon juice, freshly ground black pepper, salt, diced tomato, pecorino romano cheese, grated (about 1/3 cup packed)

asparagus , stems peeled if tough, salt, penne pasta, fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes, scallion , about a dozen, sliced into thin rounds (or green onions), dozen ripe cherry tomatoes, cut in half (to let them drain for about 20 minutes in a colander, to let them give up their juices), extra virgin olive oil, lemon , juice and zest of, pine nuts, lightly toasted, fresh basil leaf, chopped (about a large handful)

penne pasta, smoked mozzarella cheese (specialty cheese) or 8 oz smoked gouda cheese (specialty cheese) or 8 oz extra-sharp cheddar cheese (specialty cheese), celery ribs, tomatoes, frozen green pea, fresh basil leaf, extra virgin olive oil, light mayonnaise, lemon , juice of, garlic powder, salt, black pepper

garlic clove, minced, lemon juice from 1 large lemon, dijon mustard, tb. rice wine vinegar, salt and ground black pepper, extra-virgin olive oil, salad, half a box) bite-sized pasta , such as penne or small, uncooked bay scallops and salad shrimp (see note), grape tomatoes, halved and lightly salted, roasted yellow peppers from a jar, cut into small dice, crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh oregano

shell pasta, frzn. broccoli cuts, light ranch salad dressing, cubed cooked ham, fresh parmesan cheese, grated

penne pasta, cooked and cooled to room temp, tomatoes or 2 cups grape , halved, fresh basil leaves, lightly packed or 4 tbsp dried basil, crumbled blue cheese, olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper

asparagus, lemon juice, garlic cloves, pine nuts (lightly toasted ), lightly packed fresh basil leaf, salt, penne or 1 lb other pastas, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast

rotini pasta (i use the catelli smart 1 as it s a lot better for you. full box, around 6 cups cooked i think), red onion, bell peppers, red, fresh spinach leaves (i like pre-washed baby spinach), low-fat feta (smoked mozza would be good too, any sharp dry cheese), light mayonnaise, lemon juice, poppy seeds, splenda artificial sweetener (or use real sugar)

tuna steaks, fresh ground pepper, kosher salt, olive oil, jumbo pasta shells , cook according to package directions (but don tsp overcook, you don tsp want them to break apart), mayonnaise (you can use a little more if you want, but i prefer a light dressing), celery ribs, cut lengthwise and then chopped fine, red onion, chopped fine, roasted red peppers (jar is fine , i always keep some on hand), scallions, fine diced (white and green parts ), kalamata olive, chopped (you can substitute black olives), anchovy fillets, fine minced (don tsp shy away, you will never notice them but wow, what a great flavor), capers, drained and chopped, fresh lemon juice, fresh parsley, fine diced, pepper, tomatoes, chopped and then lightly pureed in the food processor, fresh basil, chopped fine, shallot, chopped, olive oil, red wine vinaigrette, salt, pepper, salad greens, for serving (use your favorite , i love some torn bibb or boston lettuce for a creamy texture), lemon, cut in 4 wedges (1 per plate as a garnish and squeezed on the salad)

bow tie pasta, pine nuts, lightly toasted, fresh basil, coarsely chopped, fresh parsley, coarsely chopped, garlic cloves, smashed, white wine, red bell pepper , cut into strips, salt, olive oil, shiitake mushrooms, sliced, frozen edamame, sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, sliced

shell pasta, chopped celery ( i add how much i like ), peas, sockeye salmon, drained, low fat plain yogurt, diced red onion, light mayo, radishes, thinly sliced, chopped fresh dill or 2 tsp dried dill, salt , pepper and a dash of hot sauce, romaine lettuce leaves ( i skip this part- i do not like lettuce in my pasta salad)

potatoes, green beans, ends trimmed, rotini pasta, tomato, cut into thin wedges, red onion, thinly sliced, pitted black olives, halved, tuna, solid light, hard-boiled eggs, cut into 4 wedges each, fresh basil, chopped, red wine vinegar, garlic cloves, minced, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil