Learn how to make a Copycat Pasta Express salad for a fraction of the cost.
It was time for the annual cheer team Christmas party and I needed to feed a crowd of 30. The menu? A crowd pleasing pasta, salad, rolls, and countless desserts, including my crockpot Pumpkin Cobbler, ooey gooey Hot Chocolate Cookies, and coffee lover’s Affogatos.
The girls just love Pasta Express Salad and frequently request it for team dinners but I was shocked at the cost of two party sized trays…a whopping $80!
What?!?!
So I set out to make a budget friendly Copycat Pasta Express Salad with an amazing homemade Italian salad dressing.
Ingredients
Most of the ingredients used in this salad are pantry staples that are likely already hiding in the cabinet somewhere. I have listed two versions: a classic Pasta Express version and then optional ingredients you can add to take it to the next level.
Salad dressing
- Olive oil (not extra virgin)
- Red wine vinegar
- honey
- pepper
- salt
- Italian seasoning
- cayenne pepper
Each of these ingredients are essential to creating a perfect copycat recipe. The honey gives the dressing just the right touch of sweetness.
Optional additional salad dressing ingredients
If you want to take this salad dressing to the next level then you can add a few extra ingredients.
- minced garlic
- Dijon mustard
The garlic adds additional flavor to the dressing and the Dijon mustard acts as a binder which which also takes the flavor to the next level. If you do use these ingredients, I recommend adding all of the salad dressing ingredients to a food processor and pulsing until well combined.
Salad
- iceberg lettuce
- green leaf lettuce
- finely grated Parmesan
- red onion
Don’t worry about buying the expensive Parmesan. The cheap stuff actually works great in this recipe and holds up well when the salad dressing is added.
Optional additional salad ingredients
- artichokes
- tomatoes
- pimentos
- pepperchini peppers
The ingredients listed above are not normally in a Pasta Express salad but they are delicious and the perfect addition to any Italian salad.
Cost
The cost of this Copycat Pasta Express Salad was about ⅛ of the cost of buying from Pasta Express. I was able to make two party sized platters for a little over $10. So much cheaper than the $80 I would have payed.
The Steps to making a Copycat Pasta Express Salad
Make the salad dressing
Combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Secure the lid and give the salad dressing a good shake. Set aside
Make the salad
Slice the red onion to desired size. I tend to prefer using whole round slices of onion because it’s easier for people that don’t like onions to pull them out.
Place the onions in a bowl, add ¼ cup of the salad, and toss. Allow the onions to marinade in the Italian dressing for at least 10 minutes but longer is better.
Meanwhile, prepare your lettuce. As with any salad recipe the lettuce plays a leading role so make sure you use bright, fresh, and crisp lettuce. I like to use two different kinds for varying color and texture: iceberg lettuce and green leaf lettuce.
Cut into bite size pieces and add to an extra large salad bowl. This salad is huge and feeds a crowd so you may even want to put half into a bowl and safe the rest for later. Set aside.
Assemble the salad by tossing together the lettuce and the homemade Italian salad dressing. Use as much or as little as you like.
Then add the finely grated Parmesan cheese and give the salad a quick toss.
Top with onions and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
No, unfortunately you can not make this salad in its entirety ahead of time as the lettuce leaves will wilt once the salad dressing has been added. However, you can prepare the components separately and store in separate containers. Assemble the salad just prior to serving.
The base of this recipe is spot on and tastes just like the pasta express salad. But I have a dirty little secret. When I was frantically tying to make this recipe the first time when I had 19 hungry cheerleaders waiting to eat, I made a different version that was actually better than the original. So make sure you check out the optional added ingredients as it’s amazing!
This recipe has olive oil in it which can solidify at cold temperatures. I recommend only mixing up what you need but you can also store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Make sure to let the dressing sit at room temperature before serving.
Oil and vinegar based salad dressing will always separate as they rest. It’s simply science. The only way to make them not separate is to add an emulsifier, like mayo, to bind the ingredients. Otherwise just stir or shake the salad dressing well just prior to serving.
Copycat Pasta Express Salad
Ingredients
Salad dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper course ground
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
Optional additional salad dressing ingredients
- 2 teaspoon garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon dijon mustard
Salad
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- 1 bunch green leaf lettuce
- 1 small red onion
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
Instructions
Make the salad dressing
- Combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, Italian seasoning, pepper, and cayenne pepper in a glass jar with a tightly fitted lid.
- Shake well and set aside.
Marinade the red onions
- Cut a medium red onion into rings and place into a medium bowl.
- Add ¼ cup of the salad dressing to the red onion rings and toss well. Set aside. For best results allow the red onions to marinate until the onions soften, but 10 minutes minimum.
Assemble the salad
- Cut the iceberg lettuce and the green leaf lettuce into small, bite sized pieces and place into an extra large bowl.
- Pour the desired amount of the dressing over the lettuce. Start with just a little and add as needed. A little goes a long way. Toss well to coat all the pieces of lettuce.
- Add the desired amount of marinated red onion slices.
- Sprinkle the finely grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and toss well.
- Serve immediately.
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