16 Simple Picnic Salads

Cook 1 pound macaroni; drain and rinse. Toss with 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 3/4 cup mayonnaise, one 8-ounce jar pimientos (drained and chopped), 4 chopped scallions and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne; season with salt.

Cook 1 pound Chinese egg noodles; drain and rinse. Whisk 1/2 cup peanut butter, 3 tablespoons each soy sauce, Sriracha and rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon each sesame oil and grated peeled ginger. Toss with the noodles, 1 each chopped red bell pepper and cucumber, and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro; season with salt.

Cook 1 pound penne; drain and rinse. Mix 1/3 cup mayonnaise and 3 tablespoons each olive oil and red wine vinegar. Toss with the pasta, one 16-ounce jar giardiniera (drained and chopped), 1 cup each diced provolone and salami, 1/4 cup each chopped parsley and basil, and salt and pepper.

Boil 1 pound each trimmed green and yellow beans until tender, about 7 minutes; drain and rinse. Whisk 6 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon each dijon mustard and chopped tarragon. Toss with the beans, one 15-ounce can small red beans (rinsed), 1 sliced shallot, and salt and pepper.