An often forgotten - but especially important - element of pasta salad is one that adds aromatics, flavor, and a pop of color ...

Pasta salad is usually best made with pasta that's still a bit warm (and only half the dressing at first, of course) because it will soak up more of the flavor. Also, pasta salad needs more salt ...

So I decided to try three different recipes from celebrity chefs Guy Fieri, Robert Irvine, and Sunny Anderson to find the best one ... used ranch dressing as the base. This pasta salad required ...

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 3 hours (or overnight for the best flavor). This allows the flavors to ...

Serve this antipasti orzo salad as a main course or on a party table – it’s a great crowd pleaser and fridge clearer. The dressing is made from the oil from the jarred vegetables, and you can ...

Christopher Testani for The New York Times Other uses than in the obvious salad: Toss with pasta, or use as a surprising dressing for crispy, pan-fried potatoes.

If possible, keep the dressing separate and mix it in just before serving. Can I make the pasta salad ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but for the best texture ...

Bobbi Lin for The New York Times This pasta ... salad that’s perfect for sandwiches (especially on dark rye or sourdough breads). Bobbi Lin for The New York Times This aromatic dressing may ...