A basic pasta salad really doesn't ask for much: All you need is some cooked pasta, a few tablespoons of dressing, your choice of cheese, and just about any veggies that you can get your hands on.

The cold pasta dish essentially acts as a catch-all in which there are no rules for what -- or how many -- ingredients you can mix in. Tomatoes ... For Ina Garten, the best pasta salad leans ...