Pasta Salad

Arugula replaces lettuce in this clever pasta dish. Serve with: Whole-wheat breadsticks and carrot sticks with blue cheese dip. Dessert: Cherry-vanilla ice cream cones.

Crisp broccoli and a creamy blue cheese dressing give new life to pasta salad.

Carey Paquette of Arlington, Virginia, writes: "When it comes to cooking, I make an effort to prepare healthful meals, but wouldn't call myself a fanatic. I believe that olive oil goes in everything and wine goes with everything; I just use them in moderation."

Typical Provençal ingredients give this satisfying pasta salad a French accent. Refrigerate this at least two hours before serving.

Ripe tomatoes, basil and fresh corn enhance a terrific side dish.

A lovely do-ahead pasta salad for spring.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Sugar snap peas, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions, parsley and mint combine with orzo pasta for a lovely warm-weather salad.

Inspired by Vietnamese cuisine, this combination is also satisfying on its own as a meatless lunch.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A nice side dish for grilled fish or lamb.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

A simple lemon and oil dressing-which works with just about any fresh vegetable-turns some of your garden's finest into a light summer pasta salad. Serve it in lettuce cups for a nice presentation.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Accompany this robust salad with crusty bread and serve grapes for dessert.

Mary deMuth of Rowlett, Texas, writes: "Because my husband is in a graduate program, we've been able to meet people from all over the world. It has been a great experience for our three children — and a chance for me to add to my recipe collection. We frequently have other students over for dinner, so I'm always learning new dishes. Next year our family will be moving to southern France, and we're very excited about the food we'll have there. We hope to make many new friends who will share their Provençal specialties." This side dish is a perfect contribution to any potluck picnic. Toss in a can of drained tuna for a more substantial salad.

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 30 min