My crowd pleaser pasta salad starts with spiral noodles, canned (rinsed) beans in three varieties, chopped whatever I have veggies, chopped black olives (could substitute green). To this I add chicken, tuna, salmon, diced ham, crab, or shrimp whatever I have or has been requested (by whoever has to drive the farthest), and top wth "zesty" Italian dressing, and served with croutons on the side since I hate croutons.