My family's not big on traditional pasta salads made with mayonnaise, so when I served this colorful version that uses Italian dressing, it was a big hit. This crowd-pleaser is loaded with vegetables, beans and tricolor pasta. It's one of the best picnic salad ideas! —Felicia Fiocchi, Vineland, New Jersey


Test Kitchen Tips
  • This salad has so many goodies you don't have to dig to find them. But you can stretch the recipe (and save some moolah) by cooking another 12-ounce package of tricolor spiral pasta and drizzling it with olive oil before adding it to the salad.
  • Don't be afraid to make this ahead of time. The flavors actually improve overnight.
  • Watch How to Make Contest-Winning Picnic Pasta Salad