When my husband and I planned our first garden, we overdid the tomato and zucchini plants. By the end of harvest, I was at my wit’s end wondering what else I could do with all those vegetables (sound familiar?). That’s when my sister and I came up with this great-tasting salad. Today, even though we have our garden under control, we still make this popular dish.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7061,"featured_media":1476248,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"tags":[304173,304328,305487,304338,307675,304988,306848,304297,307536,304268,307514,324623,306571,304150,307614,305031],"categories-v2":[309455,308984,310796,308992,310649,308935,309603,308308,310514,312521,259483,310497,312510,309177,312458,309434,312574,310591,308975],"coauthors":[305],"recommended_recipes":[{"post_title":"Classic Macaroni Salad Recipe","post_link":"\/recipes\/classic-macaroni-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Classic-Macaroni-Salad-Recipe_EXPS_TOHcom24_23307_MD_P2_07_23_2b-e1724910648782.jpg"},{"post_title":"Bacon Macaroni Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/bacon-macaroni-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/exps18341_CW153049C03_31_4b.jpg"},{"post_title":"Creamy Macaroni Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/summer-macaroni-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Creamy-Macaroni-Salad_EXPS_FT24_185628_LH_0711_1_RMS.jpg"},{"post_title":"Tangy Macaroni Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/macaroni-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Tangy-Macaroni-Salad_EXPS_FT23_273028_ST_3_09_1.jpg"},{"post_title":"Easy Macaroni Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/easy-macaroni-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Easy-Macaroni-Salad_EXPS_TOHVP24_7039_MF_07_03_2-e1724909195845.jpg"},{"post_title":"Quick Macaroni Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/quick-macaroni-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Quick-Macaroni-Salad_EXPS_CF2BZ20_40520_B11_15_4b-6-e1721158396778.jpg"},{"post_title":"Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing","post_link":"\/recipes\/italian-dressing-pasta-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/EXPS_TOHD24_38109_LauraScherb_12.jpg"},{"post_title":"Pasta Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/pasta-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Pasta-Salad_EXPS_TOHVP24_276085_MF_03_13_2.jpg"},{"post_title":"Italian Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette","post_link":"\/recipes\/italian-salad-with-lemon-vinaigrette\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/exps184725_TH143195A08_06_2b.jpg"},{"post_title":"Pasta Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing","post_link":"\/recipes\/pasta-salad-with-poppy-seed-dressing\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/exps7338_CX1783C51A.jpg"},{"post_title":"Green Salad with Tangy Basil Vinaigrette","post_link":"\/recipes\/green-salad-with-tangy-basil-vinaigrette\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Green-Salad-with-Tangy-Basil-Vinaigrette_EXPS_TOHAM20_49115_B10_29_1b.jpg"},{"post_title":"Italian Bread Salad with Olives","post_link":"\/recipes\/italian-bread-salad-with-olives\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/0001\/01\/Italian-Bread-Salad-with-Olives_EXPS_TOHCA20_165756_B07_24_4b.jpg"},{"post_title":"Italian Chopped Salad with Chicken","post_link":"\/recipes\/italian-chopped-salad-with-chicken\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Italian-Chopped-Salad-with-Chicken_exps86797_SD2847494D02_07_2bC_RMS.jpg"},{"post_title":"Marinated Cheese-Topped Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/marinated-cheese-topped-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Marinated-Cheese-Topped-Salad_exps94826_TH1999635A11_17_10bC_RMS.jpg"},{"post_title":"Macaroni and Cheese Pasta Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/macaroni-and-cheese-pasta-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Macaroni-and-Cheese-Pasta-Salad_exps35250_RM1998746A03_15_4bC_RMS.jpg"},{"post_title":"Ham Macaroni Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/ham-macaroni-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/exps14990_QC10175C43.jpg"},{"post_title":"Macaroni Bean Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/macaroni-bean-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/exps27710_QC860871D56C.jpg"},{"post_title":"Spinach Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing","post_link":"\/recipes\/spinach-salad-with-creamy-parmesan-dressing\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/recipeFallback.jpg"}],"acf":{"long_pin":"https:\/\/tmbidigitalassetsazure.blob.core.windows.net\/rms3-prod\/attachments\/37\/300x300\/exps3618_CX1407C51D.jpg"},"recipe_schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Recipe","@id":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/macaroni-salad-with-basil-dressing\/","name":"Macaroni Salad with Basil Dressing","datePublished":"2018-01-01","dateModified":"2022-10-03","prepTime":"PT10M","cookTime":"PT0M","totalTime":"PT10M","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/exps3618_CX1407C51D.jpg","height":300,"width":300},"recipeCategory":["Lunch"],"description":"When my husband and I planned our first garden, we overdid the tomato and zucchini plants. By the end of harvest, I was at my wit's end wondering what else I could do with all those vegetables (sound familiar?). That's when my sister and I came up with this great-tasting salad. Today, even though we have our garden under control, we still make this popular dish.","recipeIngredient":["1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves","3 garlic cloves","1\/2 teaspoon pepper","1\/2 teaspoon salt, optional","2\/3 cup olive oil","1 tablespoon red wine vinegar","3 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced","2 to 3 medium zucchini, cut into 1\/4-inch slices","7 to 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained","2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or part-skim mozzarella cheese"],"recipeInstructions":[{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"In a blender container or food processor, combine the basil, garlic, pepper, and salt if desired. Process until finely chopped. Add oil and vinegar; process until well blended. Set aside. In a 4-qt. salad bowl, combine tomatoes, zucchini, macaroni and cheese; toss lightly. Pour dressing over all; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight."}],"recipeYield":"10 servings","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Taste Recipes Editorial Team"}],"nutrition":{"@type":"NutritionInformation","calories":"","fatContent":"","cholesterolContent":"","sodiumContent":"","carbohydrateContent":"","fiberContent":"","proteinContent":""},"aggregateRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":3.5,"reviewCount":2,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5},"review":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2009-08-06","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"Blue8Ball"},"reviewBody":"I've made this salad for many occasions. The salad dressing is very tasty and adds lots of flavour to pasta which can sometimes be bland. I use tri-colour pasta instead of the shells, and cherry tomatoes instead of regular - less cutting and they don't sour as quickly. I also add green peppers for more crunch and I cube the mozerella so it absorbs the dressing. I love garlic but I only use 2 cloves instead of the 3. I also find that I need to add a little more olive oil just before serving. Thanks for a more original recipe.","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Review","datePublished":"2012-02-18","author":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Person","name":"OliveSnow"},"reviewBody":"I hate to turn thumbs down on other people's recipes, but I made this for a baby shower at work and was very disappointed. I usually like subtle flavors but this was too bland and too oily. Also, the recipe did not say to mince or cut the garlic, so I added it whole to the dressing. I used a blender, and the garlic just fell to the bottom and did not get chopped. I think using garlic powder would be better. Also, I think mozzarella is one of the most tasteless cheeses in existence, so I would use another variety. All in all, I don't think this recipe is worth tweaking and I will not be making it again.","reviewRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Rating","ratingValue":2,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}}]},"video":{"data":{"status":204},"message":"No shortcode found in recipe"},"rms_legacy_id":"3618","romance_copy_dek":"When my husband and I planned our first garden, we overdid the tomato and zucchini plants. By the end of harvest, I was at my wit's end wondering what else I could do with all those vegetables (sound familiar?). That's when my sister and I came up with this great-tasting salad. 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I hate to turn thumbs down on other people's recipes, but I made this for a baby shower at work and was very disappointed. I usually like subtle flavors but this was too bland and too oily. Also, the recipe did not say to mince or cut the garlic, so I added it whole to the dressing. I used a blender, and the garlic just fell to the bottom and did not get chopped. I think using garlic powder would be better. Also, I think mozzarella is one of the most tasteless cheeses in existence, so I would use another variety. All in all, I don't think this recipe is worth tweaking and I will not be making it again.<\/p>","CommentId":1,"DateRated":"02\/18\/2012 16:08","GUID":"33FFBDF9EC404E76A04AB6D5E2683D41","MemberId":441425,"Rating":2,"ScreenName":"cwbuff","SubmittedDate":"02\/18\/2012 16:08"},{"Comment":"","CommentId":2,"DateRated":"06\/11\/2011 13:06","GUID":"aa08ef576d944db7ba35b7f28ca1e7a4","MemberId":1327588,"Rating":5,"ScreenName":"Sweet01","SubmittedDate":"06\/11\/2011 13:06"},{"Comment":"
I've made this salad for many occasions. The salad dressing is very tasty and adds lots of flavour to pasta which can sometimes be bland. I use tri-colour pasta instead of the shells, and cherry tomatoes instead of regular - less cutting and they don't sour as quickly. I also add green peppers for more crunch and I cube the mozerella so it absorbs the dressing. I love garlic but I only use 2 cloves instead of the 3. I also find that I need to add a little more olive oil just before serving. Thanks for a more original recipe.<\/p>","CommentId":3,"DateRated":"08\/06\/2009 08:01","GUID":"98e732ddfb3b4e15a4a5e309c180134a","MemberId":3292625,"Rating":5,"ScreenName":"bubbles71","SubmittedDate":"08\/06\/2009 08:00"}]},"breadcrumb":[{"term_id":312458,"name":"Salads","slug":"salads","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":312393,"taxonomy":"categories-v2","description":"Don't think you like salads? Think again. Try one of our delicious recipes for potato, pasta, lettuce, rice and a whole bunch of other salad varieties.","parent":310796,"count":4177,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0","url":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/dishes-beverages\/salads\/"},{"term_id":312510,"name":"Pasta Salads","slug":"pasta-salads","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":312445,"taxonomy":"categories-v2","description":"Pasta salads are a hit at potlucks and picnics or a simple weeknight meal. Find easy and healthy options for pasta salad recipes including Italian, chicken, tortellini, pesto, macaroni, tuna, and more.","parent":312458,"count":473,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0","url":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/dishes-beverages\/salads\/pasta-salads\/"},{"term_id":312521,"name":"Macaroni Salads","slug":"macaroni-salads","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":312456,"taxonomy":"categories-v2","description":"Looking for recipes for macaroni salads? Taste Recipes has the best macaroni salads recipes from real cooks like you, featuring reviews, ratings, how-to videos and tips.","parent":312510,"count":87,"filter":"raw","term_order":"0","url":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/dishes-beverages\/salads\/pasta-salads\/macaroni-salads\/"}],"meta_data":{"enhanced_fields":{"enhanced_recipe_title":"Macaroni Salad with Basil Dressing"}},"analytics":[],"yoast_head":"\n