When it comes to potluck recipes, pasta dishes are always popular. They are so simple, nutritious, comforting and filling that it is hard to imagine potluck menus without them. These two dishes, spaghetti salad and macaroni salad, are true classics that go over well at any event.
Spaghetti Salad
Ingredients You Will Need:
1 pound spaghetti or linguine pasta, broken into thirds
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
4 tablespoons McCormick Salad Seasoning
2 large tomatoes, diced
2 large cucumbers, diced
1 large onion, diced (optional)
1 large green pepper, diced (optional)
1 cup broccoli, broken into tiny florets (optional)
1 cup cauliflower, broken into tiny florets (optional)
Boil the spaghetti with one tablespoon of oil in the water. The oil keeps the spaghetti from sticking. Drain the spaghetti with ice-cold water. Continue rinsing until the spaghetti is cold. When the spaghetti is fully drained, put it into a large bowl, and pour the Kraft Zesty Italian Salad Dressing over it. Add the three tablespoons of McCormick Salad Seasonings, and mix until well blended. Refrigerate while you cut the vegetables.
Dice the vegetables, and add them to the bowl. Add and omit the vegetables depending on what is available in your garden. Combine the vegetables with the spaghetti, and mix until well coated.
Once it is all mixed, sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of salad seasoning over the top of the bowl. Chill for at least four hours. Serve cold.
Macaroni Salad
Ingredients You Will Need:
Salad:
1 pound elbow macaroni
½ teaspoon salt
1 large can tuna in water (optional)
6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
½ cup celery, diced
¼ cup green onions, diced
1 cup peas, frozen
1 cup Velveeta cheese (optional)
Dressing:
1 ½ cup Miracle Whip
2 teaspoons mustard
3 to 4 tablespoons white granulated sugar
Salt
Pepper
Boil the pasta with ½ teaspoon salt. Drain, and set aside to cool. If using tuna, drain it, break it into smaller pieces and add it to the pasta. Add the eggs, celery, onions and peas, and mix. If using cheese, make sure the pasta is cold before you add the chunks, or they will melt.
Mix all the dressing ingredients, pour it over the pasta and mix until coated. Chill for several hours before serving.
Use bowtie pasta or penne pasta for a new look and texture. For variation, try substituting ham or even shrimp or crab meat for tuna.
 | Potlucks are easy to organize and are not as much work as hosting a dinner all by yourself. Even better, potlucks encourage fellowship with friends and family through the sharing of new dishes and recipes. |
 | Easy potluck recipes are often handed down from generation to generation. Chances are, your go-to potluck recipe is the same as the one your grandmother made, and for good reason-the recipe can be made quickly. |
 | The best potluck recipes are recipes that have history. While there is nothing wrong with adding a new recipe to the mix every now and again, when you hold a family potluck your guests will want the tried-and-true favorites. |
Having a potluck dinner is an easy way of hosting a party without having to do all of the cooking. But there are a few points you need to follow to avoid a menu full of potluck casseroles or desserts, not to mention unhappy guests. For example, your potluck will be a problem if more than half of the guests bring potato chips and the other three bring one dish that won't feed everyone. |
The joys of group gatherings and potlucks can't be denied. What better way to entertain guests and enjoy a get together than a sampling of everyone's culinary talents? |
