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Creamy Pasta Salad

Creamy Pasta Salad
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A rich, flavorful, and versatile creamy pasta salad featuring tender rotini or penne pasta tossed in a smooth, tangy dressing with fresh vegetables, shredded cheese, and herbs. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or quick lunches, this easy-to-make salad delivers a delightful combination of texture, color, and satisfying creaminess.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 2 cups short pasta (rotini or penne)

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Vegetables

  • 1 cup cucumber, chopped
  • 1 cup bell peppers, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Cheese and Herbs

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add your short pasta. Cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
  2. Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice or vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to your taste, balancing tanginess and richness.
  3. Chop and combine vegetables: Wash and chop your chosen vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Fresh cucumbers, diced bell peppers, and halved cherry tomatoes are crowd favorites for their crunch and color.
  4. Toss it all together: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, vegetables, shredded cheese, and fresh herbs. Pour in the dressing and gently toss everything until the pasta is thoroughly coated and ingredients are evenly distributed.
  5. Chill and serve: Refrigerate the creamy pasta salad for at least an hour to let flavors meld and the salad to thicken slightly. Serve chilled and enjoy the refreshing, creamy goodness!

Notes

  • Don’t overcook pasta: Aim for al dente to keep the pasta firm and prevent mushiness when chilled.
  • Use rough-textured pasta: Shapes like rotini and penne hold onto the dressing better for full flavor in every bite.
  • Chill before serving: Resting in the fridge allows the creamy dressing to thicken and flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Add crunchy veggies last: To maintain crispness, mix in delicate veggies just before serving if possible.
  • Adjust seasoning after chilling: Flavors can mellow in the fridge, so give the salad a quick taste and tweak salt or acidity before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pasta salad, pasta salad, rotini salad, penne pasta salad, summer salad, picnic salad, potluck salad, easy pasta salad

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