The key to a great, well-balanced pasta salad therefore isn't what you mix in, but in how much pasta you use. For Ina Garten, the best pasta salad leans less on the noodles and more on the salad.

There shouldn't be any shame in buying pre-mixed box cakes (which you can easily upgrade), salad dressings, or jarred pasta sauces ... Even the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, is no stranger ...