Freeze Ahead Italian Pasta Salad

"This recipe is adapted from Sue Gregg's cookbook. This recipe goes together fast. Add fresh vegetables on serving day, based on what you have on hand... tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, etc. if desired."
 
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Ready In:
20mins
Ingredients:
12
Serves:
10-12
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ingredients

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directions

  • Cook rotini per package directions.
  • If using fresh broccoli, add it to the cooking pasta for the last two minutes.
  • Rinse pasta (and broccoli) in cold water.
  • Open cans of beans, olives, artichoke hearts and mushrooms and drain them.
  • Cut artichoke hearts into sixths, or smaller if you prefer.
  • Mix pasta, broccoli, beans, olives, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and green onions in a large bowl.
  • Add salad dressing and stir to mix.
  • To Freeze: Divide into freezer bags, based on the size of your family, and if you’ll serve this as a side dish or a main dish.
  • Seal, label and freeze.
  • To Serve: Thaw bag in refrigerator for 24 hours.
  • Shake the bag a few times before serving.
  • Add any of the optional ingredients, stir and serve.
  • Since this dish is served cold, and the pasta isn’t re-heated, don’t under-cook it.
  • Cook it al dente per package directions.
  • Some of the salad dressing will be absorbed by the salad while it’s frozen.
  • You may need to add a fresh shake or two of dressing before serving, especially if you add any extra ingredients.

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Reviews

  1. Not crazy about this one. It just didn't come out of the freezer well for me. I couldn't taste the salad dressing anymore and the texture of the artichokes and mushrooms really creeped me out-- and I don't usually have a problem with that. I give it 3 stars because I need to try it again with some alterations. The fault could have been mine.
     
  2. This is excellent! I used a little less pasta and more veggies...just to cut carbs. It was a hit with the whole family. I've already shared this w/ other family members as well. I will be making this on a reg. basis! Thank you so much for sharing this keeper!
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I live in Las Vegas. I was lucky enough to run into Recipezaar around Nov. 2000 and got hooked quickly. I am a cookbook collector and have been collecting recipes for as long as I can remember. My DH had to build in shelves for all my cookbooks! I like to dabble with OAMC and for a few years hosted the Budget/OAMC forum with some great people over there. Even though I don't work in the forum any longer I've set up a lot of cookbooks for the purpose of OAMC and stretching food that might be helpful. Please feel free to check them out! I go on food jags and cooking jags! Please come say hi to me and chat on facebook. I currently host a blog for saving money through finding deals and coupons if you are interested. Most of the time I try to cook and have a good dinner on the table but I'll be honest enough to say there is still fast food occasionally in the budget! I have had such wonderful support here whenever I need it. Thank you all for being here! Just a quick note on how I rate recipes: ? 5 stars - This recipe is perfect. (My DH is truly a critic and doesn't give 5's unless it's amazing) I would recommend it to others and would definitely make again. ? 4 stars - This recipe was good but I would change something in it next time. ? 3 stars - This is a recipe I would not make again but it was OK ? 2 stars - This recipe I would not make again and we didn't like it at all ? 1 star - This recipes did not work out/taste was unappealing and wouldn't make again
 
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