Pasta Salad for a Crowd

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This is my go-to pasta salad for a big crowd! It's great for showers, picnics, parties, you name it! My mother-in-law taught me to make it. It is easy and very versatile. Tastes best when refrigerated overnight.

Submitted by KLATIME
Updated on February 8, 2024
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
70
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 70 servings

  • 3 pounds garden rotini pasta

  • 2 (16 ounce) packages steam-in-bag frozen broccoli florets

  • 6 tomatoes, chopped

  • 2 (16 ounce) bottles Italian-style salad dressing

  • 16 ounces Cheddar cheese, cubed

  • 1 tablespoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder

  • 1 tablespoon onion powder

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.

  2. While pasta is boiling, steam broccoli, one bag at a time, in a microwave per directions on the package, 4 to 6 minutes.

  3. Rinse cooked pasta in a colander until completely cool. Return to the pot. Add broccoli, tomatoes, salad dressing, Cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well. Refrigerate until chilled, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Serve cold.

Cook’s Note

You can use any semi-hard cheese for this; you can either cube or crumble it.

Use half salt and half seasoned salt for more flavor.

Use more colored vegetables for a prettier presentation.

Add canned chicken, season with hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce, for a complete meal.


Nutrition Facts (per serving)

141 Calories
6g Fat
17g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 70
Calories 141
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 7mg 2%
Sodium 354mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 5g 9%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 61mg 5%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 112mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.