Angel Hair Pasta Salad is a refreshing dish featuring angel hair pasta tossed in a creamy Italian dressing, complemented by sliced black olives, shredded carrots, and juicy cherry tomatoes for a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
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It's pasta salad season, the ideal time to enjoy cool and refreshing dishes like our Bruschetta pasta salad, Amish pasta salad and BLT salad that are excellent for sharing at potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings.
Angel Hair Pasta Salad is a quick and simple pasta salad that’s also perfect for your next picnic or summer party! Thin angel hair pasta is coated in a delicious dressing made of Italian dressing, mayonnaise, and Cavender’s Greek seasoning and tossed in sliced black olives, carrots, and juicy cherry tomatoes.
This fresh and fun pasta salad is incredibly flavorful and seasoned with a mixture of herbs and chopped veggies. It’s a new, unique way to enjoy a pasta salad that’s quick and easy and it’s guaranteed to be a new summertime favorite.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and simple - This angel hair pasta salad recipe is super easy to prepare and takes less than 20 minutes to make! Then, all you have to do is stick it in the refrigerator to chill until you’re ready to serve!
- Fun and unique - Using thin spaghetti noodles is a fun, new way to make a pasta salad that is sure to impress anyone who tries it with its thin, light texture.
- Easy to customize - Pasta salads are great for adding or substituting any dressing, vegetables, or proteins you like, making it easy for everyone to enjoy!
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Ingredients
Gather the ingredients below to make this angel hair cold pasta salad:
- Angel hair pasta is thin and light and pairs perfectly with the creamy dressing and vegetables.
- Mayonnaise makes the dressing creamy and adds a tangy flavor to the pasta salad.
- Italian dressing brings some zest to the dressing and helps balance out the other ingredients.
- Cavender’s Greek Seasoning is savory and full of herbs, giving the past salad a fresh, tangy flavor.
- Olives are savory and add a unique flavor to the dish.
- Carrots give the salad a nice crunch and a bit of sweetness.
- Cherry tomatoes are perfectly juicy and freshen up the salad.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- You can substitute the Italian dressing or Greek seasoning with any of your favorite dressings or seasonings.
- Add any vegetables you like! Red onions, red peppers, and peas are just a few!
- If you want some more protein in your pasta, you can add shrimp or roasted chicken.
- Sprinkle some grated parmesan on top of your pasta salad for some extra flavor.
How to Make Angel Hair Pasta Salad
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, cook the pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse with cold water, then follow the steps below for this delicious angel hair pasta salad recipe!
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk mayonnaise, Italian dressing, and Cavender’s Greek Seasoning together.
- Add cooked pasta, olives, carrots, and tomatoes to the sauce mixture. Stir well and chill for at least one hour before serving.
Helpful Tips
- For a more flavorful salad, chill it in the refrigerator for an extended period to allow the pasta to soak in the flavors of the dressing and veggies; you can even prepare it a day ahead and let it sit overnight.
- Since angel hair pasta is thin and delicate, mix it gently with the other ingredients to avoid breaking the noodles.
- Use fresh ingredients to enhance the quality and taste of your pasta salad.
Recipe FAQs
You can make your pasta up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Add any fresh vegetables or herbs right before serving.
Yes, while angel hair pasta is ideal for a delicate texture, you can substitute other types of pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine if needed. Just adjust the cooking time and cut the pasta into smaller pieces if necessary.
Crisp vegetables like bell peppers and cucumbers would work well. Avoid overly watery vegetables to prevent the salad from becoming too soggy.
Yes, you can add cooked proteins such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make the salad more filling. Ensure any added proteins are fully cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Enhance the flavor by adding fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or chives, and consider incorporating ingredients like feta cheese, olives, or capers for extra taste.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions
To store leftovers, place the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving again, stir well and add a little Italian dressing to refresh the flavor.
Freezing Instructions
This pasta doesn’t freeze well due to the texture becoming mushy when thawed. It’s best enjoyed when it’s fresh or after storing in the refrigerator.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You'll Love
Looking for other cold pasta salad recipes? Try these:
Angel Hair Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces angel hair pasta
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- 1 tablespoon Cavender’s Greek Seasoning
- 3.8 ounce can sliced black olives
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk mayonnaise, Italian dressing, and Cavender’s Greek Seasoning together.
- Add cooked pasta, olives, carrots, and tomatoes to the sauce mixture. Stir well.
- Chill for at least one hour before serving.
Notes
- For a more flavorful salad, chill it in the refrigerator for an extended period to allow the pasta to soak in the flavors of the dressing and veggies; you can even prepare it a day ahead and let it sit overnight.
- Since angel hair pasta is thin and delicate, mix it gently with the other ingredients to avoid breaking the noodles.
- Use fresh ingredients to enhance the quality and taste of your pasta salad.
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