The Perfect Picnic Pasta Salad - Food Wishes

No matter what pasta shape you use, or which ingredients you add, as far as I’m concerned there’s only one proper technique for building what we’re modestly calling the “Perfect Picnic Pasta Salad.” Enjoy!
For the fully formatted, printable, written recipe, follow this link: www.allrecipes...
To become a Member of Food Wishes, and read Chef John’s in-depth article about Perfect Picnic Pasta Salad, follow this link: www.allrecipes...
You can also find more of Chef John’s content on Allrecipes: allrecipes.com/...

[@caitlinh9520]

"Hello this is Chef John" Me: *sigh of relief*

[@24kmars77]

Whew! Same here!

[@annajoie700]

We surely don't want any im-PASTA-ers! lol!! 😂😉

[@cobrakai8049]

100% I would love to cook with this man for a while. He knows so much.

[@Funkotronimus]

I love all these videos! and how every sentence sounds like the end of a bedtime story 😜

[@CM_Burns]

You are the David Arquette of your Pasta Salad Vinaigrette.

[@geemom04]

Excellent

[@doctwiggenberry5324]

WHF is david arquette?

[@geemom04]

🤣

[@michellelammi787]

Dude from the Scream movies. Was married to that plasticised Monica from Friends.

[@TheCreww17]

Or will arnett would be good too

[@lindainparis7349]

There once was a chef from Kismet Who taught us how to make vinaigrette Use mustard said he And surely you'll see Your vinaigrette will never separette

[@Aliamus_]

I read this to the tempo of "Ragnar the Red"

[@TheSlavChef]

Can someone please PASS-DA-SALAD?!

[@barbatloosenutproductions2027]

🤣👍!

[@aleksanderaleksandrov1016]

hahaha

[@BeardGainz]

and get tu DA CHOPPA.

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

I was going to tell this Fusilli pun.. *But it got pretty twisted.*

[@sadie4538]

😂😂😂

[@24kmars77]

😂🤣😅😆

[@lindainparis7349]

A penne for your thoughts

[@maryannnegenborn5528]

You are the Mussolini of your fusili

[@gmart225]

Olives and feta would also be great in this!

[@irondoglocal4333]

That's a great idea

[@__hjg__2123]

"Spatulation"............... classic

[@bearpawz_]

I know! I never knew that I was spatulation(ing) my pasta all this time! @ 5:04 .... 😆

[@xiaotuzi.fnb1]

sometimes for easy quick terminology ... we say "to garlic a recipe ..." "to pepper a steak ... " ; chefs are allowed same like poets 😆

[@donnalamb5830]

Oh no - I just finished my umpteenth serving of your old shrimp pasta salad. And now I’m gonna have to make this one. Should last me til July 4 😆

[@tuckgraph]

I was thinking about making a recipe just like this yesterday, great timing Chef John! I'm going to be the Belinda Carlisle of my pasta spiral!

[@barbatloosenutproductions2027]

Oooh! Good one! 😎👍

[@angelagriffin5130]

That is why I love my stick blender. Fits perfect in a mason to blend this type of item. Super quick to clean. Water, soap, another mason jar. Sit to dry

[@mmerryweather6950]

Yeah, I use mine to make mayo. So easy

[@angelagriffin5130]

@@mmerryweather6950 Yes! And hollandaise. I love both.

[@jcm9356]

Great tip, thanks.

[@SundaysChild1966]

Oh aren't they the best little invention!? And you can pick them up for next to nothing, brand new at yard sales ..lol .. for all those people who purchased or were gifted one and never used it .. that's okay, we'll take them off your hands!

[@angelagriffin5130]

@@SundaysChild1966 I did buy mine retail new. But I use it at least 7-10 times weekly. I have had one for the last several years but I have burned through a couple... in the process...

[@paulybarros]

I literally just made Chef John’s incredible deli macaroni salad 😭 (a friends and family favorite) can’t wait to try this one

[@JoeCarrierSails]

I love that recipe too and the thing I love about THIS recipe is it completely contradicts EVERYTHING he says in that recipe! Don't blanch the veggies, don't put hot pasta in the dressing, etc. This is why I love Chef John.

[@RINA4D85S1]

Welcome back Chef John! I can't live without pasta, but during these unbearable subtropical summer months I really don't want to use any heat source for cooking. Been going through your older recipes for cold dishes, and here we are! Thank you ❤️

[@recoil53]

Look up peanut noodle recipes too. It was more of a thing 20 years ago, but still works.

[@badingledongle]

Wow, only twelve seconds old and already an instant classic.

[@daveb9342]

Damn delicious mixture even if I say so myself. Serve that stuff with some ham & Swiss calzone dipped in garlic butter.

[@rabbitttz]

Omg I've never heard of a ham and swiss calzone! Just pepperoni. That sounds awesome. I am so hungry right now lol

[@geemom04]

YUM O 😋

[@bakerinthehouse5346]

What have you done to me!!!

[@faeryb0mb]

every time the pool in my neighborhood has a fourth of july party SOMEONE brings pasta salad. always my favorite part of the party.

[@caesarsalad77]

The perfect pasta salad? Im-pasta-bowl!

[@missanthropist5806]

Oh my GAWD

[@sagarkathuria8194]

Ba dum TSS

[@BrokenCurtain]

"...but then you'd have to clean a blender and I don't." Errr... I always just put some water in my blender, plus a few drops of dishwashing soap, and turn it on. Does anyone not do this?

[@alicedubois1348]

Thank you so much for posting this very genius hack!

[@bobschwartz674]

You can also put it in a jar and shake it.

[@emmicllns]

HOW HAVENT I THOUGHT OF THIS

[@bobschwartz674]

@@noob19087 My pleasure. Enjoy.

[@carolbutler6932]

Works every time!

[@imranhaider2013]

Chef John you have a great sense of humor. I enjoy your background commentary

[@majoroldladyakamom6948]

It's called a video voice over.

[@lindainparis7349]

Imran, I'm old fashioned and speak British English and find "background commentary" perfectly understandable and rather elegant !

[@Reversed82]

i love pasta salads of all kinds. i've also done vinaigrette based ones for a while, mediterranean style with a balsamic + a bit of tomato paste based dressing combined with feta + olives etc. is also interesting. recently, i've been loving miso + garlic based dressings, combined with a bit of a different vegetable mix

[@jessicawong5587]

So glad to see you back! I hope vacation was amazing!!!

[@kathleennorton6108]

Could one add protein such as a cheese, or shrimp, chicken, tuna, or some other protein?

[@patpeters6331]

I can't imagine why you couldn't. I certainly would. That would make it the perfect lunch or dinner on a hot summer day. 😋

[@lindainparis7349]

Not shrimp or tuna if its going to sit in the sun. Cheese will sweat but chicken might be ok .

[@peterjeffery8495]

I made your deli Macaroni salad a few weeks back with Penne and it was a mistake. Macaroni is the pasta "marsupial" carrying sauce in its hollowed out belly making it THE ONLY TYPE of pasta as it holds the dressing much better. My counterfeit Deli Macaroni Salad made with Penne was dry and inedible the next day. All those spirally fins means greater exposure to the air.

[@jamesbarbato2192]

👩‍🍳 chef! It’s been forever since you’ve done a seafood dish 😞 🐟 🎣 🐠 Can you please do some seafood dishes..

[@KSGomez88]

This was my friggin food wish!! Thank you Chef John!!!!

[@boesvig2258]

Cold pasta is one of those things I'll just never understand. Why eat it if you have the option to not eat it?

[@boesvig2258]

@Center Masster That's just not a fair comparison. Fish is delicious, and a sandwich is a dish, not an ingredient. Cold pasta is just starch. Cold, clammy starch. It doesn't even have a taste really, so it can hardly be considered "good", even if you're being generous. I promise you any dish with cold pasta is vastly improved by leaving out the cold pasta, or replacing it with something that's actually good. I'd rather fast than eat cold pasta; I don't consider it fit for human consumption.

[@boesvig2258]

@Center Masster Wow. If you're telling me you like cold rice as well, you're either lying or delusional. I can easily make a salad that's delicious by itself, and is just enhanced by the dressing. If you need dressing to make something borderline edible, that thing isn't "good", by any stretch of the imagination. Why did you start this discussion in the first place? Do you think you're going to change my mind? Or is your mother made of cold pasta, and therefore you feel a need to defend its honor? I really don't know what you're hoping to achieve, but it seems like a waste of time, for both of us.

[@kitty-kitten-]

that looks GOOOOOD. I love pasta salads in the summertime. So fresh!

[@lorescien4148]

Oh maaaaan. I'm so going to try this one on my husband! He loves to have pasta salad for his work lunches during the summertime, but several hours in a hot work truck does nothing for a mayo base lol. So excited!

[@scottmiller1956]

It will get you widowed!

[@BreakDanceFight]

I always prefer vinaigrette based salads over mayo based ones.

[@saraxison1725]

I just learned the mustard trick recently, blew my mind how much better and easier my dressing came out.

[@lindainparis7349]

A dollopa Dijon also ensures a successful mayonnaise !

[@melodybrookeboyett175]

I really like the detail that you go into. I have always wondered about the vinegar. And how to use them.

[@majoroldladyakamom6948]

Google it. A bazillion recipes out there in YT Land, rofl!

[@gonzaloglz88]

Spatulation 😂😂

[@aparnam6651]

Just what have been looking for. Perfect time

[@TheEsraa13]

Looks fresh and delicious 😋 A perfect summer salad

[@pollykent2100]

Made this recently and my family couldn't get enough. Making it again today! Delicious.

[@thore69843]

This man is wonderful. I just wish that the Cayenne industry would finally release his family members they are keeping hostage somewhere.

[@Monolize]

this recipe got to me across the big pond and now my craving is equally big as the distance this video traveled to me. thank you for your videos and ongoing insipration you pour into your community.

[@femalism1715]

No garlic???

[@thekingofoktimes]

Whenever he says "and your _____ is done!" My life feels complete for a moment

[@xmas4203]

I'm happy to see you using the mustard to give the dressing some thickness to your emulation to coat all the ingredients. Nothing worse than a pasta salad that is coated in oil. I use a few tablespoons of mayo and balsamic. After you get past the light chocolatey look, it's great! After all, I am the Salma Hayek of my mayo and balsamic.

[@jayw729]

Your videos always start off normal sound then end up getting really quiet... I just made the strawberry syrup with club soda drink from like 10 years ago! It still tasted good!

[@grahamrankin4725]

I recently added chive flowers to a Mediterranean salad. It too was a vinaigrette based dressing.

[@lindainparis7349]

Chive flowers are so pretty. Also wild garlic flowers though hard to find

[@DJL78]

Thats one helluva “pinch” of salt in that vinaigrette! 😳😳😳😳

[@cobeer1768]

Chef John is not for the weak

[@tawpgk]

Not a pinch, it's a punch -- Donnie Brasco

[@DJL78]

@@cobeer1768 LOL. 🚑🏥❤️

[@saltycrow]

When you consider all the veg in there and much of it not salted at all, doesn't seem like too much at all.

[@DJL78]

@@saltycrow says the person named “Salty Crow” 🤣😂🤣😂

[@barryfields2964]

I cook my vegetable the same way. In with the pasta, near the end, but I would have definitely put the carrots in before everything else. A good bit before.

[@annbrookens945]

Exactly what I was thinking!

[@hollyhopalong7405]

The carrots are very thin sliced.

[@wuzfoz8023]

The return of the gangsta

[@KealPanda]

hi john (: love your recipes! How long do you think this would last in the fridge? I am looking for yummy and filling lunches to bring to work

[@majoroldladyakamom6948]

Google it? Lol.

[@Spiffelight]

Easily 3-4 days, but the acidic in the vinaigrette will keep breaking the greens down, so it'll get mushier each day, but you can eat it. If you want it to last longer, do the vinaigrette on the side and add when you're gonna eat, but that's not as fun or yummy :)

[@KealPanda]

@@Spiffelight good to know (: Thankyou!

[@lindainparis7349]

@@Spiffelight well said, correct and consise

[@Oneshotwonder002]

Having a flashback to Chef John with Laringitus, "Doooo not. I repeat do not rinse your pasta. Do not rinse your pasta STOP do not rinse your pasta."

[@georgygirl4502]

Sounds Like Something Good On The Beach, With My Favorite Man. Thanks.

[@lindainparis7349]

Ah, make the best of it. Anything is good on the beach with a favourite man !

[@LesaBear612]

This adulation of your spatulation. 😁

[@georgygirl4502]

Would Shrimp Go Good With That?

[@bearpawz_]

Sounds great to me! I think if I was going to add it, I might leave out some of the crunchier veggies just so they don't compete with texture of the delicious shrimp.. 🍤 ~Yum~

[@Random-ee7ms]

This is not only picnic pasta salad but this a wonderful salad can be used in every day basis

[@stolen_cactus]

I was about to make one and this one just popped up in my notifications...Thank you

[@evanking920]

The first/last time I cooked brocollini, the food won. I had a meal failure. Any hints on getting flavor out of the brocollini?

[@kylejscheffler]

Cook it properly

[@emanonfox1709]

regular broccoli florets would work well here too

[@GlasSaeth]

Leave whole, toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper (optional lemon zest) and roast in the oven until it starts to crisp up/get some golden brown patches. Once out of the oven, squeeze some lemon juice or sprinkle some wine vinegar on top if you want, and should be good to go. I'd probably do that for this recipe too and cool and chop them before adding them to the salad. Generally, I think most veggies benefit from a "roast with olive oil, salt, and pepper until crispy or turning golden brown" treatment.

[@evanking920]

@@kylejscheffler Get a life dweeb...

[@anitaaziqa]

I really like your intro.. 👌😋

[@marcosgarcia-3696]

No olives?...

[@benius42]

🤢never

[@villagesteader3552]

I felt like you were speaking to me regarding the mustard. You must read minds! I hate mustard! But I will try, for you…oh wait, did you just say the BAD word! Peas, I hate peas too! 😜

[@kittykat717]

Try Me Sueur canned very young small sweet peas or find frozen petite peas. They are so much better than those big ugly things they call peas.

[@villagesteader3552]

@@kittykat717 No, sorry, I know it’s irrational but no way.🤢

[@kittykat717]

@@villagesteader3552 That's okay only put in the salad things you like.

[@76monikaW]

More than ever before we need chef John

[@3088sd]

Tried this today and it was a hit with family! The tip to have lots of dressing definitely helped :)

[@broderfoder9348]

Does computer chefs live in chili con valley?

[@lindainparis7349]

Nice one

[@CreativeCreatorCreates]

You have my attention! But then again, you always do 💕

[@Bubblegum8651]

Yummy!! You have good recipes 😍

[@romstar]

It looks beautiful,Chef John!🥬🥗🌿🍋🍅🥑🥦🥒🌽🥕🍏🧄🧅

[@jennrodriguezdaluz]

pasta salad is actually one of my favorite foods! i can't wait to make this version!

[@mrbear1302]

Did that aluminum bowl make you angry? It is chock full of little dents????

[@lindainparis7349]

Thin , very light stainless steel. Ya get the bumps when ya beat the lumps. Very useful as so light

[@mrbear1302]

@@lindainparis7349 so you did a bowl test?

[@lindainparis7349]

I've got one and I use it all the time for beating or whipping up (food not people)and bain marie. Also have about ten other heavier bowls with lids, what can I say, I'm a bowl freak, but the thin light one is the one I use all the time for cooking !

[@DigwellGreenfingers]

Brilliant! Love the tip about what to do if you add too much oil in one go. 🙂

[@IshbelSoprano]

Those thyme flowers are so cute!! 😍😍😍

[@barbatloosenutproductions2027]

Hi chef John! I'm so glad you explained what a picnic salad is. My mom & I, always made German potato salad with a vinaigrette/bacon drippings dressing for picnics, just because there is no mayonnaise that needs to be kept chilled. Plus in the winter months, we can have it served warmed. Of course after it's made, it's best to stored in the fridge. Just for the sake of longevity. Not to mention, it's one of those kind of dishes that ALWAYS tastes better the next day, after making! Thanks for the pasta salad recipe! I'm going to try this, next weekend.Take care luv! 💐

[@John-mw3jf]

"For those of you who have turned off this video because you don't like mustard.......Hilarious!! Chef John speaks to those no longer present. This guy is funnier than most of the professional comedians.

[@0blivioniox864]

That looks damn delicious my man.

[@Anarcath]

“Spatulation” LOL!!!!

[@natashafrance717]

English peas 🙌 greetings from a very (albeit only currently - not holding ones breath for much longer) sunny south of England, lush recipe, cheers CJ 👍

[@DonPandemoniac]

That's amped up alright, but you'll have to be able to sell it to counter your guest's earlier experiences with afterthought pasta salads.

[@lindainparis7349]

I know what you mean. I might chicken out and use rice which always goes quicker than pasta salad....

[@paulfrels3590]

Looks delicious. Lotsa veggies.

[@fabjulez]

"and just for the heck of it some shakes of cayenne" laughed so hard.. but.. is he getting tired of it?!

[@lindainparis7349]

I think he'd rather a shake of smoked paprika but his fans won't let him....

[@teleziagreyleaf2846]

Who doesn't like mustard?

[@melissacomer8404]

Someone tell me Chef John didn't lick his finger when he poured out some of that dressing to save for later.

[@drwgisblaidd2650]

I'm sure he went in and took a shower....

[@KailuaDoug]

I think Chef John and the Lock Picking Lawyer are the same guy.

[@jayecanada977]

I noticed a lot of guys copy his style and sound

[@rodmckenzie9089]

Welcome back Chef John! I hope you enjoyed your time off. I'd like to say I missed you but I didn't! I simply watched a bunch of your older episodes. And they were all great! 😁😋❤️

[@squirrl78]

Excellent! Thank you, chef!

[@theverhohnepeople8934]

The perfect picnic pasta salad doesn't exi-

[@lindainparis7349]

Yep. I use rice.

[@annbrookens945]

I feel like I should be making a pasta salad about now!

[@bearpawz_]

Make enough for all of us please! 😁👍

[@linhjahnke2111]

This is a PERFECT PASTA I’ve ever tasted 👍👍👍🙏🥰😍🤩

[@hottiemchott8879]

I’m so happy for your annual pasta salad recipe!! I LOVE your Asian cold pasta salads. 😋

[@Augustus_Imperator]

For the first time in my life I regret not having more vegetables around to cook with

[@olrikm]

63 ingredients, hours upon hours of preps, hours of waiting, and "... That's it!!! Enjoyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!" ;-D

[@ThingsMadeEasyWithJeJe]

Yummy ❤ Delicious ❤

[@francisgay]

Did I miss the addition of cayenne?

[@OG_Cool_Cat]

“Spatulate” is definitely going into my vocabulary. 😆

[@PockASqueeno]

Looks good except for the tomatoes. I thought those were red jalapeños at first.

[@SexyBakanishi]

This looks good! And now you should try Korean pasta salad!

[@HellenShort]

Looks delicious! I'm going to try to make it! Thanks Chef!

[@rhainaweissehexe3899]

Mmmmm, lots of Vegetables and spices. The dressing sounds excellent, I think I would try Balsamic instead of ACV. Thank you ☺️👍🌟

[@geezermann7865]

I would probably use grapeseed oil rather than olive oil for this. And unfortunately, this calls for five different fresh herbs. I have only one, parsley. But I always have the dried of all the others. Finely diced yellow and red bell pepper - yes, awesome. "Purple" onion? No, never. Any other, I like any sweet onion.

[@linhager12]

My mouth is watering

[@Mixwell1983]

I make mine with olives, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, pepperoni, italian dressing, parm cheese and mc cormicks salad supreme seasoning.. Everyone who has had it loves it, i guess someday i should make my own vinagerette

[@light9623]

Yuuuuuuuummmmmy

[@suicune2001]

My dressing for pasta salad is red wine vinegar with some balsamic vinegar and herbs de provence.

[@fireantsarestrange]

The only thing that is missing is Anchovie paste and salami.

[@flowercook3915]

Add it Joan Jett!

[@eenayeah]

Why does Chef John say to not rinse the pasta? Who the heck RINSES PASTA????????

[@wayne00k]

Hi Chef - any reason not to cool more quickly by placing the "mixing" bowl into a larger bowl containing ice? Thanks for sharing this taste of summer!