Pasta Salad

A quick and simple pasta salad that can be used as a side dish for many meals. Especially when you are pressed for time, this is something you can make in 20 minutes tops. It uses ingredients you usually have in the pantry, fridge and spice cabinet, so a run to the store isn’t even necessary. By changing up some of the spices in the dressing, this works well with grilled meats, barbecue or even burgers and hotdogs.

Simple pasta salad

Ingredients:

• Some kind of smaller pasta. I have used small shells, small farfalle (bowtie), small elbows. Just depends on what I have
• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Salt, Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika powder
• If you want spicier: add some Chipotle chili powder or Cayenne
• For smokey flavor, use some Ancho chile powder (to go with Barbecue for instance)

Preparation:

• Cook pasta as per directions. I follow the directions of the amount of servings on the box, but let’s say we make for 6 people. Make sure to cook it al dente and not too soft. Cook, rinse with cold water to cool. Drain very well. I’ve used my salad spinner even to dry it 😉
• In a bowl, mix equal amount of Mayonnaise and Ketchup. Mix well to a pink-ish consistency. I use about a good cup of each. Some pastas will need more, some will need less.
• Add garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper to taste. I use probably a tablespoon of paprika and two of garlic powder
• Add other spices you may want from above

Mix:

• Take cooled pasta
• Fold in the Mayo – Ketchup – Spice mixture a little at a time into the cooled pasta until it’s covered as much as you like it.
• Remember it’s always easier to add more than to take some out
• If you run out of mayo-ketchup dressing, don’t panic. Have a homebrew and make more per the directions above.
• Once it has the consistency you want, refrigrate for an hour (or put in the freezer for as long as you have before dinner)