There are those dishes that are seasonal and there are those that never go out of fashion and this Layered Pasta Salad is one of them.
It is not only food, it is the center of the table with its bright colors, delicious textures, and creamy homemade dressing.
It is an ideal salad to take to potlucks, barbecues, family gatherings, and church picnics.
It has everything good about summer in one large bowl: fresh vegetables, hearty pasta, salty ham, and sharp cheddar cheese, bound together with a rich, flavorful dressing.
And its lovely layers mean it is as pretty to look at as it is to eat.
This salad is a hit in terms of taste and presentation whether you are serving a crowd or you want something that will last in the fridge.
The following is how to make it step by step.
The layers are not just pretty.
They preserve ingredients.
The dressing is placed on top and gradually trickles down, flavoring the salad as it goes along without causing the salad to become soggy.
You have pasta to give you energy, ham to give you protein, veggies to give you crunch, and cheese to give you dairy all in a bowl.
It is easy to make it your own.
Hate olives?
Exclude them.
Do you like bacon better than ham?
Take it.
Want a lighter dressing?
Substitute Greek yogurt with sour cream.
Take this version and modify to your liking.
In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 3/4 cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and stir to combine.
Blend until smooth.
Put it aside.
Then, cook 3 cups of macaroni pasta in salted water, according to the package instructions.
To halt the cooking, drain and rinse with cold water.
Allow it to cool.
Here is the exciting part, layering everything.
Place the following ingredients in a large glass bowl or trifle dish in the following order: 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce on the bottom.
Add the cooled pasta then.
Then add 1/2 diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup minced red onion, 1/2 cup thawed frozen peas, and 1/3 cup chopped celery.
Pour 1 1/2 cups of diced ham on top of the veggies.
Next add 1/3 cup sliced black olives.
Spread the prepared dressing on top with a gentle spoon and do not mix the layers below.
Top with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
To get the best results, wrap the bowl with a plastic wrap and refrigerate it at least 5 hours or overnight.
This allows the dressing to marinate into the salad and mix the flavors.
Take it out to serve and leave it to rest at room temperature 10-15 minutes.
Then lightly mix the salad so that every bite contains a combination of all the ingredients- creamy dressing, crunchy vegetables, cheesy goodness, pasta, and ham.
This recipe can be easily varied according to taste or availability.
You may substitute ham with rotisserie chicken, turkey, or crispy bacon.
To turn it low-carb, replace pasta with chopped cauliflower.
Include more vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots or diced cucumber to add freshness.
To make it dairy-free, substitute plant-based mayo and sour cream and omit the cheese.
To get the best texture, ensure that your pasta is cold when you layer it so that it does not wilt the lettuce.
Pat your ingredients dry-excessive water in peas or lettuce will cause the salad to be wet.
To be more flavorful, use sharp cheddar.
Older adults particularly like this salad.
It is simple to eat, and has a good combination of creamy and crunchy.
The tastes are well-known and cozy, and the sunny layered appearance is always appreciated at parties.
In case you have some leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge within 3 days.
The lettuce can be slightly softened, but the salad will be delicious.
You can also take out portions without stirring up the entire mixture leaving the rest fresh until you want to serve it again.
It is quite fulfilling to take a spoonful of Layered Pasta Salad.
It is creamy, crunchy, chewy, and delicious with its dressing, vegetables, pasta, and ham.
After you taste it, you will know why it is so popular at parties, barbecues, and potlucks.
It is easy to make, it is gorgeous on the table and it is one of the first dishes to go.