Creamy Pasta Salad

A refreshing and satisfying creamy pasta salad made with tender pasta, a rich dressing, and fresh vegetables. Perfect for picnics, BBQs, meal prep, or quick family meals.

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Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: creamy pasta salad

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 1 15

Servings: servings

Calories: 320kcal

Author: Eva Stoner

Cost: 2

Equipment

large pot
colander
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
knife and cutting board

Ingredients

300 g short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
120 ml mayonnaise
60 ml sour cream
1 cup chopped vegetables (celery, bell peppers, red onion)
2 tbsp fresh herbs (parsley or dill)
1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
100 g optional protein (bacon or chicken)

Instructions

Bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Avoid overcooking to maintain texture.
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it completely.
In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Add cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, herbs, and optional protein. Toss gently to coat evenly.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Stir and adjust seasoning before serving.

Notes

For best results, chill the pasta salad for at least 1 hour before serving. Reserve a little dressing to mix in before serving to keep it creamy. You can lighten the recipe by substituting part of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

Nutrition