It was nearly the end of the week. I’d just stepped inside after a long shift when my phone buzzed. It was my friend, Rachel: Want to come by tomorrow for an impromptu potluck with a few pals?
I said yes, but in the back of my mind I wondered what I could whip up to bring. Then I remembered: Pasta salad to the rescue.
Yes, I hear you: Pasta salads can get pricey. By the time you pick up fresh mozzarella, your bill can climb. Or maybe you’ve emptied your wallet buying deli-made pasta salad, which often costs far more than you expect.
It doesn’t need to be that way. Here are three pasta salad recipes you can prepare with six ingredients or fewer — and they’ll cost under $12 each. Each one takes about 25 to 30 minutes to put together, then chill in the refrigerator for two to three hours before serving.
Midwest Tomato and Bacon Pasta Salad
This is one of my go-to pasta salads. I used to work behind a deli counter and served this frequently. Eventually I grew tired of paying $5 for a single-pound tub, so I tried making it at home. A few tweaks later, and it was perfect.
Ingredients (Priced at Aldi)
1 16-ounce box rotini: $1.49
4-pack tomatoes: $1.99
16-ounce bottle ranch dressing: $1.29
1 12-ounce package pre-cooked bacon: $2.79
1 14.5-ounce bag fresh spinach: $1.79
Total cost: $9.35
Instructions:
Cook the rotini following the package directions. Drain the cooked pasta and rinse with cold water. While the pasta cooks, chop the tomatoes into bite-size pieces and roughly chop the spinach.
Heat the pre-cooked bacon as instructed on the package and let it cool briefly. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large bowl, then add the tomatoes, spinach and the bottle of ranch dressing. Stir until combined. Crumble the bacon on top and fold it in until evenly distributed. Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for two to three hours to chill.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This one’s another simple option — you don’t even need to cook the chicken yourself.
Ingredients (Priced at Walmart)
1 traditional rotisserie chicken: $4.98
1 16-ounce box rotini: $1.00
2 16-ounce bottles Caesar dressing: $3.96
1 14.5-ounce bag fresh spinach: $1.79
Total: $11.73
Instructions
Prepare the rotini according to package directions. While the pasta is boiling, remove the meat from the rotisserie chicken — discard bones and skin — and chop the spinach. When the pasta is done, drain and rinse it with cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, chicken and spinach. Add about 1.5 bottles of Caesar dressing and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for two to three hours to chill.
Taco Pasta Salad
If tacos are your thing, you’ll adore this twist on pasta salad.
Ingredients (Priced at Aldi)
1 16-ounce box rotini: $1.49
1 24-ounce jar salsa: $1.89
1 14.25-ounce can black beans: $0.89
1 14.25-ounce can whole kernel corn: $0.49
1 5-ounce envelope taco seasoning: $0.98
1 12-ounce bag shredded cheddar cheese: $2.99
Total: $8.73
Instructions
Cook the rotini as directed on the box. While it cooks, open and drain the black beans and corn. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water.
Place the pasta in a large bowl, then add the jar of salsa, drained black beans, drained corn and 1 tablespoon of the taco seasoning mix. Stir in the shredded cheddar and mix everything together until well combined. Cover and refrigerate the salad for two to three hours to chill.
Now, unwind. The next time you get an unexpected invite, you won’t panic. These three tasty pasta salads come together fast and won’t break the bank. You could even prepare all three for under $30 to give guests a variety to choose from.
