Tuna Macaroni Salad

Great for summer nights when you just want to relax, this recipe is quick and easy!

Ingredients

• 3 cups uncooked macaroni

• 1/3 cup Italian-style salad dressing

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1 cup mayonnaise

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 stalks celery, chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 (5 ounce) can tuna, drained

Directions

1. Cook macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water until done. Drain.

2. Marinate macaroni in Italian dressing for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.

3. Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, onion, celery, garlic powder, tuna, and salt and pepper into macaroni. Chill before serving.

Pistachio Fluff Fruit Salad

This is a light and fluffy dessert salad based on pistachio pudding; the pudding is made lighter with the addition of whipped topping. Add an extra can of mandarin oranges, if you like.

Ingredients

• 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
• 1 (3 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
• 1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 2 large bananas, sliced
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1 (15.25 ounce) can fruit cocktail, drained
• 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained

Directions

1. Dump instant pudding into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add pineapple, and mix well.
3. Mix in whipped topping.
4. Stir in bananas, marshmallows, fruit cocktail, and mandarin oranges.
5. Cover, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

Tortellini Bacon Broccoli Salad

Ingredients

• 2 (9 ounce) packages refrigerated three-cheese tortellini
• 1 pound bacon
• 4 cups chopped broccoli
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 cup bottled coleslaw dressing

Directions

1. Cook the tortellini according to the package directions, drain, rinse with cold water, and refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.
2. Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Chop the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces while still a little warm.
3. Place the tortellini, bacon, broccoli, grape tomatoes, and green onions into a salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the ingredients, and toss lightly to coat. Chill in refrigerator before serving.

Cucumber Salad With Thai Sweet Chili Vinaigrette

Cool, spicy, and sweet.

• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 pinch salt to taste
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Whisk rice vinegar, chili sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and garlic together in a small bowl; season with salt.

2. Combine cucumber and onion in a separate bowl. Pour vinegar mixture over cucumber and onion mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Toss before serving.

Cauliflower and Edamame Salad

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 (12 ounce) package frozen shelled edamame (green soybeans)
• 4 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
• 3 ribs celery, chopped, or to taste
• 1 large bell pepper, chopped, or to taste
• 1 (5.3 ounce) container plain Greek yogurt
• 1 bunch radishes, sliced, or to taste
• 4 green onions, chopped, or to taste
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (such as Grey Poupon(R))
• 2 kosher dill pickles, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 sprig fresh dill, chopped
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Place cauliflower and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave until tender, 2 to 3 minutes; drain. Place edamame in a microwave-safe bowl; cook in the microwave until tender, 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Combine cauliflower, edamame, eggs, celery, bell pepper, yogurt, radishes, green onions, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, olive oil, garlic, dill, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl; toss to distribute.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
• 10 slices bacon
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons dry ranch salad dressing mix
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
• 1/2 cup milk, or as needed
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1 (4.25 ounce) can sliced black olives
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
2. Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until evenly brown. Drain and chop.
3. In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder, and garlic pepper. Stir in milk until smooth. Place rotini, bacon, tomato, black olives and cheese in bowl and toss to coat with dressing. Cover and chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator. Toss with additional milk if the salad seems a little dry.