Our easy 4 ingredient pasta salad no mayo recipe with angel hair pasta, Italian dressing, cheese and vegetables can be made on the stove or with Pressure Cooker Pasta. It’s a cheap cold summer side dish that is a family favorite.
Cold angel hair pasta salad can be made in less than 30 minutes. Served at a barbecue or potluck it is a colorful and inexpensive way to combine noodles with olives, zucchini, tomatoes, onions and cheese if you like.
You could add bits of precooked meat into the mix too if you wanted. If you have tried our Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe you know what I am talking about!! Just sprinkle right out of the package at the end will give this dish a bit more salty and savory flavors. Diced ham would be a great option as well.
Now as far as the vegetables and dressing goes, there are tons of options. This one just uses bottled salad dressing to make it as easy as possible. If you wanted a Creamy Pasta Salad you can toss with that instead. Adding a bit of citrus into the mix is a great option with both really too.
How Long to Cook Pasta for Pasta Salad
Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and thickness of the very thin noodles. Your desired level of doneness is subjective as well. It’s always a good idea to check the package instructions for specific cooking times and adjust accordingly based on your preferences but 2-4 minutes is average.
You do want to keep it a bit al dente for this dish meaning, it should be tender but still slightly firm to the bite. Once done to your liking, immediately drain it in a colander to remove excess water. Toss immediately with sauce or toppings.
Should you rinse pasta?
Yes, there are a few reasons why; It stops the Cooking Process and prevents the pasta from becoming overcooked or mushy. This is particularly important for pasta salads, where you want the pasta to have a firm texture. Chilling the pasta rapidly prevents it from continuing to cook and helps maintain its texture. And it removes excess starch from the surface, which can make it sticky. This will help it have a more pleasant texture and doesn’t clump together.
Once done I do like to drizzle cooked noodles with a bit of olive oil and toss so they don’t become a huge clump that no longer separates. Then the Italian dressing is most common. You may just want to add fresh herbs like diced fresh basil.
Vegetables to Add
We always add cucumber and halved cherry tomatoes to our large bowl. Let’s talk about other possible add-ins though. If you are going for a Vegetable Pasta Salad you would want to air fry your zucchini and squash quickly beforehand. We are keeping this cold overall.
How to Make Creamy
If you wanted to make this creamy, fold in some sour cream or Greek yogurt like we used in our Dill Pickle Pasta Salad. Which way you go may depend on dietary restrictions or what you are pairing this with.
Can you add meat?
Yes, if you want to add a little wow, use boiled and cooled ground beef filled Frozen Ravioli instead of plain pasta. Some love canned meat like our Macaroni Tuna Salad. Other add ins that add protein would be parmesan cheese, green onions, and cubed cheddar with the canned meat is a go!
Can you make pasta salad ahead of time?
You can prepare and store in sealed containers for 3 days max if stored in the fridge. If it contains ingredients like mayonnaise, dairy products, or cooked seafood, be mindful of how long you keep it though. These ingredients can spoil more quickly and may shorten the overall timing.
Before eating check for any signs of spoilage, such as off odors, mold growth, or changes in texture or color. Also, it will dry out a bit in the cold so the best way to revive it is to add a bit more Italian dressing and fold together to loosen it back up.
4 Ingredient Pasta Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 1 pot
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 8 oz angel hair pasta, or small noodles/small ravioli, boiled until al dente
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced and quartered
Add Ins
- 1/2 cup olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onions, sliced
- 8 oz cheese, cubed
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
Instructions
- In a large 4 quart stock pot, add 3 quarts of water and bring to a rapid boil. Add angel hair pasta and mix. When the water returns to a boil, cook for 4 or so minutes, stirring frequently until al dente.
- Drain pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water to cool. Add pasta to a serving bowl. Then add in all the add ins you want, bite sized. Add grape tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, red onions, cheese, Italian dressing.
- Mix well to distribute dressing and vegetables. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
FAQ
Typically it will last for about 3 to 5 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. However, the exact shelf life can vary depending on the ingredients used in the salad and how it’s prepared and stored. Transfer to an airtight container or sealable plastic bag before refrigerating. This helps prevent moisture loss and keeps the salad fresh for longer.
For a lighter blend just toss with Italian salad dressing like we did here! You can use plain Greek yogurt too instead which is healthier, you could even use fat-free or dairy free versions as alternatives. Keep in mind these will give it a different flavor but substitutions nontheless.
