Description
Creamy Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleasing dish that combines vibrant vegetables with a rich and creamy dressing, making it the ultimate side for summer gatherings. Whether you’re gearing up for a BBQ, heading to a picnic, or simply want a refreshing dish to enjoy at home, this pasta salad is quick to prepare and incredibly versatile. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a delightful salad that bursts with flavor. Customize it to suit your taste by adding your favorite proteins or veggies, and let it chill in the fridge for optimal flavor melding. Perfectly balanced and oh-so-satisfying, this creamy pasta salad is destined to be a favorite at any occasion.
Ingredients
- Garden rotini pasta (12-16 ounces, cooked)
- Red onion (½ medium, minced)
- Cucumber (1, diced)
- Grape tomatoes (½ pint, halved)
- Yellow bell pepper (1 medium, diced)
- Italian vinaigrette dressing (3 tablespoons)
- Mayonnaise (1 cup)
- Cajun seasoning (1 + 1/4 teaspoon)
- Ground black pepper (1/8 teaspoon)
- White sugar (½ teaspoon)
- Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, finely chopped)
Instructions
- Cook rotini according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, Italian dressing, Cajun seasoning, ground black pepper, and white sugar; mix until smooth.
- Add cooked pasta along with red onion, cucumber, grape tomatoes, and yellow bell pepper. Stir gently to coat evenly.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1–3 hours before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sides
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 10mg