pasta salad

Pink.

Hi zepsgal,

It will depend on the type of beans as to whether or not they will need to be cooked. I've only ever bought the ones that just need rinsed so check the directions on the can to see what it says about cooking. What you've said sounds lovely. I would probably add mayo, garlic and chilli but you could add any herbs or spices you like.

This existing thread has loads of recipes that should help:

pasta salad

And this thread has lots of good ideas for packed lunches:

Packed Lunch for work

I'll add your thread to the first link later to keep the suggestions together.

Pink

mummybearx

No, not patronising at all! And even it if was, patronise away, I need it :rotfl:

My brain seems to get stuck sometimes when Im cooking, like I can't work things out? Not like Im dyslexic or anything, I just.... Dunno. Can't figure out how to make the things I buy in the shops lol

Might just start small tonight, simple mayo dressing to start with and see how I go x

s_glover

One of my favourites is roasted vegetable pasta. Roast vegetables (I often make these for tea, so make extra for lunch) e.g. peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, courgette, aubergine, sweet potato etc. Then add the vegetables to the pasta and stir in some pesto - yummy and really quick and easy to make as well. Adding in some cheese also works very well.

kittycat204

i have thought of more, left over roast lamb, taziki dip and cucumber, lovely.
left over roast beef with tomato and a horsradish dressing
when i was making lunches i just used what was in the fridge, i always made sure i had a lot of salad bits, and store cupboard stuff, tinned sweetcorn, olives, pickled onions, chop up a few bits of what you've got in and before you know it you've got a huge lunch. i think you are missing a bit of inspiration. hopefully other posts will help you get some ideas.
oh there is also fruit and nuts and seeds and things you can add too. if it stays still long enough, shove it in.

maybetomorrow

One of my favourites is prawns, pesto, mayo, lemon juice and some parmesan and some basil if you have any kicking around.

Mix it all into together and it's yummy!

Josslette

What I like doing when making pasta salad is as soon as my pasta is cooked, drain it and rinse it straight away until cold water, this stops its cooking and means its less likely to all stick together and go horrible.

Combinations I like :
- Tuna, Sweetcorn, Spring Onion, Cucumber, Mayo, Squeesze of lemon and some blackpepper
- Chicken, sweetcorn, diced red onion, chives, mayo or even better garlic mayo
- Chicken, sweetcorn, cherry toms(cut in half), spring onion, honey and mustard salad dressing.
- Flakes of smoked mackrel, spring onion, diced cucumber, lemon juice, creme fraiche, s+p - Beetroot might be nice in this if you like it!
- Pesto, cubed fresh mozzarella, halved cherry toms and torn up basil - Toasted pinenuts would be lovely but expensive!

I also like putting my pasta salad in the bottom of a tub and then a big handful of salad leaves on top and then mix them together just before eating.

Hope that helps

Josslette

Don't know what type of pasta you've already got but I love wholewheat pasta in my pasta salads, it's got a bit more flavour and texture. And it makes me feel like I'm being healthier

cutestkids

Hi

With regards to cooking the beans there is no need to cook anything that comes in a tin, the canning process cooks the product so anything that comes in a tin can actually be eaten straight from the tin if you want.:)

shebangs

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dfw123

HELP! i'm rubbish at cooking and thinking up ideas of what to put with what... i have a lot of pasta and was thinking, to save money, i should cook some for lunches to take to work with me - i have tried frozen peas and sweetcorn with it which is quite tasty but i need some more alternative ideas! Nothing too fancy like all the recipes i've found online, just something simples any help would be much appreciated!!!