Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe

Introduction

This creamy pasta salad is a refreshing and colorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a simple family meal. Packed with crunchy vegetables and a tangy dressing, it’s easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients

• 1 pound uncooked medium pasta shells
• 1 cup fresh broccoli florets, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
• Dressing:
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with chopped broccoli, red onion, cucumber, sweet red pepper, and drained olives.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables, then toss gently to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for one to two hours until well chilled before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a handful of chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.
• Swap olives for sliced cherry tomatoes if you prefer a milder taste.
• Make sure to rinse the pasta thoroughly with cold water to keep it from sticking together.

Storage

Store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before serving. It’s best enjoyed chilled but can be served at room temperature if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes, it actually tastes better after the flavors have had time to meld. Prepare it a few hours or even the day before serving, then keep it refrigerated.

What type of pasta works best for this salad?

Medium pasta shells are ideal because they hold the dressing well and provide a nice texture, but other small shapes like rotini or macaroni also work great.

Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 117 reviews

This Creamy Pasta Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish featuring tender pasta shells tossed with fresh broccoli, red onion, cucumber, sweet red pepper, and ripe olives, all coated in a tangy homemade mayonnaise dressing. It’s perfect as a side dish for picnics, barbecues, or light lunches, combining crunchy vegetables with a creamy, flavorful dressing.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Pasta and Vegetables

• 1 pound uncooked medium pasta shells
• 1 cup fresh broccoli florets, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained

Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the medium pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it well with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
2. Add the vegetables: Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped broccoli florets, red onion, cucumber, sweet red pepper, and drained sliced ripe olives.
3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
4. Toss and chill: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are coated evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for one to two hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the salad to chill before serving.

Notes

• You can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing variant.
• Adding fresh herbs like dill or parsley can enhance the flavor.
• For a vegan version, use vegan mayonnaise.
• This pasta salad can be prepared a day ahead to intensify the flavors.
• Make sure to rinse the pasta in cold water to prevent it from sticking together and to cool it effectively for the salad.

Keywords: creamy pasta salad, pasta salad with vegetables, picnic salad, easy pasta salad, broccoli pasta salad, mayonnaise dressing pasta