Pasta salad

Pasta salad, known in Italian as insalata di pasta or pasta fredda, is a dish prepared with one or more types of pasta, almost always chilled or room temperature, and most often tossed in a vinegar, oil or mayonnaise-based dressing. It is typically served as an appetiser (antipasto) or first course (primo).

Pasta salad

Pasta salad with fusilli, tomato, and vegetables
Alternative names	Insalata di pasta (in Italian), pasta fredda (in Italian)
Type	Pasta
Course	Antipasto or primo
Place of origin	Italy
Serving temperature	Cold
Main ingredients	Pasta, vinegar or oil or mayonnaise
Media: Pasta salad

Origin

There are various theories about the origin of pasta salad. Claudia Roden claims that Italian Jews prepared it centuries before other Italians because Jewish law prohibits cooking on the sabbath.^[1]

Ingredients

The ingredients used vary widely by region, restaurant, seasonal availability, and personal preferences. The dish can be as simple as cold macaroni mixed with mayonnaise (macaroni salad), or as elaborate as several pastas tossed together with a vinaigrette and a variety of fresh, preserved or cooked ingredients. These can include vegetables, legumes, cheeses, nuts, herbs, spices, meats, poultry, or seafood.^[2]

Gallery

• Pasta salads
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  Pasta salad prepared with fusilli
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  Pasta salad with cherry tomatoes

See also

Media related to Pasta salad at Wikimedia Commons

• Italy portal
• Food portal

• Fusilli