Description
Creamy Pasta Salad is a delightful summer side dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just a simple family meal. This easy-to-make pasta salad is creamy, flavorful, and packed with colorful vegetables and cheese.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 12 oz rotini pasta
Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables and Cheese:
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ¾ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, cheddar cheese, red onion, and parsley. Toss gently to combine until coated.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
Notes
- Feel free to swap rotini with any short pasta like penne or shells.
- You can add diced ham or cooked bacon for extra protein.
- Best served chilled.
