If you are concerned that there will be too many, too similar pasta salads, you could push the bounds of your assigned dish slightly, and make couscous (Is couscous "pasta"?) I make a quick and easy Curried Couscous dish that won "The Best Side Dish" at the hunt club picnic last summer, and it is very easy to double or triple this recipe. CURRIED COUSCOUS Serves 8-10 people 2 boxes Near east Mediterranean curry couscous 2 cups broccoli flowerets (about one large head) 1 carrot, sliced thinly 6 medium white mushrooms (sliced) 5 tbsp olive oil 1/3 cup raisins 2 tbsp mild curry powder 1/2 cup homemade balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing 4 oz feta cheese (cut into ¼ inch cubes) Prepare couscous according to package directions. (Open package, empty spice envelope into 2 1/2 cups water, add 2 tbsp olive oil, bring to boil. Remove from heat, add couscous) In a separate pan, cook broccoli and carrots in 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat, stirring frequently. When partially cooked add curry powder and stir until well mixed, dump cooked broccoli and carrots into couscous. In a separate pan heat two more tbsp of olive oil and cook mushrooms for 3-4 minute, add to couscous. Stir in remaining ingredients. Either serve immediately or refrigerate.

I have not tried this recipe yet, just got it from a friend. However, it sounds delicious so thought I would share. 7 Layer Pasta Salad Source: http://www.deepsouthdish.com/2013/08/7-layer-pasta-salad.html DRESSING: 1 package dry Ranch salad dressing mix 1 cup real mayonnaise 1 cup buttermilk 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 2 teaspoons granulated sugar 1/8 cup sliced green onion 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (1/4 to 1/2 to taste), optional Freshly cracked black pepper to taste SALAD: 2 cups fresh chopped broccoli 1/4 pound farfalle bowtie pasta (about 2 cups dry) 2 cups thinly shredded lettuce 2 cups chopped cooked chicken, smoked ham or turkey 1 cup frozen green peas -- thawed 1 large slicing tomato -- seeded and diced 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese GARNISH: 2 slices bacon -- cooked and crumbled 1 tablespoon sliced green onion Mix the salad dressing ingredients and set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add plenty of salt. Add the raw broccoli, return to a boil and let cook for about a minute. Remove and plunge the broccoli into iced water to stop the cooking process, but reserve the water for cooking the pasta. Add the pasta and cook al dente according to the package directions. Drain and rinse pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process; set aside until cooled and no longer steaming. When ready to prepare the salad, toss the pasta with 2 tablespoons of the dressing mix. To layer, add lettuce to the bottom of a clear bowl approximately 3 quarts in size, and top with layers of the meat, broccoli, pasta, peas, tomatoes and the cheese. Pour the remaining dressing on top and if serving right away, sprinkle the top with the chopped bacon and 1 tablespoon of sliced green onions. Toss before serving. May also prepare, cover and refrigerate up to 6 hours. Bring to room temperature and wait to add garnishes before serving. Serves 8 Cook's Notes: Substitute 2 cups of a bottled Ranch or other flavored dressing if desired. May also use different pasta shapes or cooked cheese tortellini, and substitute thawed, frozen broccoli in place of the fresh. Substitute other cooked proteins, such as seafood. Additional suggestions for layers: Sliced or chopped red or sweet onion, sliced or chopped red, green or yellow bell peppers, drained, chopped pimentos or roasted red peppers, sliced or roughly chopped boiled eggs, sliced black or green olives, chopped avocado that has been tossed in fresh lime juice, well drained and chopped marinated artichoke hearts, fresh pan sauteed or steamed chopped asparagus, or a variety of canned beans that have been drained and rinsed are all good choices.

This is a huge, huge fav of our family - Orzo with Roasted Vegetables 301 Reviews This recipe is a slight variation of a wonderful summer dish invented by Sarah Leah Chase in her book The Open House Cookbook. Level: Easy Total: 1 hr Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Yield: 6 servings Share This Recipe Ingredients 1 small eggplant, peeled and 3/4-inch diced 1 red bell pepper, 1-inch diced 1 yellow bell pepper, 1-inch diced 1 red onion, peeled and 1-inch diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/3 cup good olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 pound orzo or rice-shaped pasta For the dressing: 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons) 1/3 cup good olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper To assemble: 4 scallions, minced (white and green parts) 1/4 cup pignolis (pine nuts), toasted 3/4 pound good feta, 1/2-inch diced (not crumbled) 15 fresh basil leaves, cut into julienne Directions Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the eggplant, bell peppers, onion, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, and pepper on a large sheet pan. Roast for 40 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula. Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl. For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and pour on the pasta and vegetables. Let cool to room temperature, then add the scallions, pignolis, feta, and basil. Check the seasonings, and serve at room temperature. Copyright 2001 Barefoot Contessa Parties!, All Rights Reserved

Sounds good, provogal. It made me think of this black bean and corn salad that's another good one. Black Bean and Corn Salad Dressing 1 small clove garlic Pinch salt Juice 1 1/2 limes (about 3 tablespoons) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (to taste) 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Salad 1 cup fresh corn kernels (from about 2 ears) 1 orange bell pepper, diced 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup) 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 avocado, halved, seeded and diced 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, leaves and stems Make the dressing: Smash the garlic clove, sprinkle with the pinch of salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Whisk the garlic paste, lime juice, salt and chili powder together in a bowl. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream. For the salad: Cook the corn, bell pepper, and onions in the olive oil until beginning to brown over medium-high heat in a skillet. Toss in the black beans and cook until warm. Add the dressing and toss to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and gently fold in the tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro. Serve.