 Pasta salad is often regarded as a spring or summertime meal, but it can be served year-round.The ingredients used vary widely by region, restaurant, seasonal availability, and/or preference of the preparer.The salad can be as simple as cold macaroni mixed with mayonnaise (a macaroni salad), or as elaborate as several pastas tossed together with a vinaigrette and a variety of fresh, preserved or cooked ingredients.