Pasta is nutritious and simple to prepare. Do not add oil or salt to the water prior to cooking. A cold water rinse does wash away some of the nutrients, but will keep the pasta from sticking if using in a cold dish such as a pasta salad. Pasta salads are versatile. They are a delicious accompaniment to a main dish or combined with meat, beans, eggs or cheese can serve as a simple main dish.
Pasta salads offer the solution as to what to do with cold, left-over pasta.
Measure your left-over pasta and proceed with the following recipes. Or, remember that one cup of cooked pasta equals two ounces of dry. To keep food safe when toting along on a picnic, keep the salad cold. The danger zone for food borne illness is between 40 and 140 degree. Keep hot foods HOT and cold foods COLD and do not allow them to set out at room temperature for more than two hours.