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Creamy Pasta Salad

Creamy Pasta Salad
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Creamy Pasta Salad is a refreshing yet indulgent dish combining tender pasta with a luscious, velvety dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or family dinners, this versatile salad balances creamy richness with fresh, crunchy vegetables and savory cheese, making it a crowd-pleaser and a staple recipe for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni or rotini

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Vegetables

  • 1 cup diced cucumbers
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

Cheese

  • 1 cup small cubes of cheddar or feta cheese

Herbs and Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or dill, chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
  2. Prepare the vegetables and cheese: While the pasta cooks, dice the cucumbers, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Cube the cheese and chop fresh herbs for mixing later in the salad.
  3. Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  4. Combine all ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, cheese, and herbs. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss everything until evenly coated.
  5. Chill before serving: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the salad to become creamy and cohesive.

Notes

  • Cook pasta just right to avoid mushiness.
  • Rinse pasta well with cold water to stop cooking and cool quickly.
  • Use cold dressing to enhance creaminess and help it cling better.
  • Balance richness with salt and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice.
  • Make the salad a few hours ahead for deeper flavor infusion.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pasta salad, pasta salad, easy pasta salad, potluck recipe, picnic salad, make-ahead salad

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/creamy-pasta-salad/