Creamy pasta salad

Published: July 13, 2023 from dina

The Creamy pasta salad it’s so easy and delicious. With creamy pasta mixed with crispy diced vegetables, you’ll love the textures and flavors of this classic side dish.

If you want to try some pasta salad variations, check out this Italian Pasta Salad (VIDEO) and Pesto Pasta Salad (VIDEO).

Place creamy pasta salad with diced vegetables and macaroni in a bowl with a fork.

Table of contents

recipe details

I love this Creamy Pasta Salad because it has the best flavor and texture and is so easy. This is a great dish to bring to a backyard BBQ or potluck.

TASTE GOOD: This pasta dish is loaded with flavorful veggies and a rich and flavorful dressing of sour cream and Dijon mustard.
TEXTURE: The textures of this classic creamy pasta salad are simple but seriously delicious. The pasta is tender, the dressing is creamy, and the chopped veggies make for a delicious crunch.
TIME: This dish takes about 20 minutes to prepare.
EASE: This pasta salad is an easy-to-make side dish that you can quickly make and serve or store overnight as meal prep.

what you will need

Ingredients for Creamy Pasta Salad: Mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, celery, red onion, red pepper, macaroni, salt and black pepper.

Ingredient Notes

elbow macaroni I like to use elbow macaroni for this creamy pasta salad, but you can use other small pasta types too. Just cook them according to the package directions.
Mayonnaise- This gives the dressing a rich creaminess.
Sour cream- This is also rich and creamy and a little spicy.
Dijon mustard- This type of mustard is very flavorful and gives the dish a great flavor.
Vegetables- We use red bell peppers, red onions and celery for lots of flavor and extra crunch.
Spices- Just some salt and black pepper.

Add-Ins and Substitutions

add meat- Try this creamy pasta salad with some diced chicken or turkey, chopped ham, pepperoni or salami.
Use more vegetables – Add some other vegetables to the dish to add flavor, such as olives, tomatoes, pickles, or cucumbers.
add cheese- Prepare this with feta cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, or parmesan.
Add some spices – Try this recipe with other seasonings like cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder or Italian seasoning.

How to prepare a creamy pasta salad

Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

Steps to prepare a creamy pasta salad: Using a whisk, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.

Dice the vegetables. Chop the peppers, onion and celery either by hand or with a vegetable chopper.
Boil the noodles. Cook the macaroni according to package directions or al dente. Then drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Combine. Place the cooked pasta, vegetables, and dressing in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly and add more salt if needed. Serve chilled.

Pro tip: I like to use a vegetable chopper to chop the vegetables because it’s quicker and they all come out the same size.

Steps to prepare a creamy pasta salad: Combine the dressing with the diced red bell pepper, onion, celery and macaroni.

recipe tips

Dice the vegetables. In this creamy pasta salad, you just want small, crunchy bites, so cut the veggies into small cubes. I find a vegetable cutter makes this easier.
Cook the pasta al dente The noodles shouldn’t be too soft, as they need to hold up to the dressing and veggies. Al dente leaves a solid structure.
Rinse the noodles in cold water. Stop the cooking process by rinsing the pasta with cold water. This will also cool the pasta so the dressing doesn’t melt while mixing.
Serve chilled- This pasta tastes best when served chilled. So keep them in the fridge until ready to serve.

Two bowls of creamy pasta salad topped with elbow macaroni and diced veggies with forks and chopped parsley alongside.

FAQs

Should you run cold water over pasta for pasta salad?

Yes, you should rinse your pasta after cooking. Once you’ve drained the cooking water, you should rinse your pasta with cold water, as this will remove any remaining hot water and cool the pasta. This stops the cooking process so the pasta stays al dente.

How do you keep creamy pasta moist?

If you’re worried about the pasta salad drying out, there are a few things you can do. You can toss the elbow macaroni in a little oil before adding the dressing to slow absorption. You can also add a little more dressing to account for what might be absorbed.

Close-up of a classic creamy pasta salad with diced vegetables and macaroni.

serving suggestions

This creamy pasta salad is delicious and versatile. There are so many great combinations and dishes you can serve it with.

Meat: Serve this salad with smoked chicken thighs, flank steak tacos, grilled pork ribs, or air fryer pork chops (VIDEO).
Salads: Enjoy with other salads like this Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Pesto Pasta Salad (VIDEO), Chicken Salad with Grape or Taco Salad (VIDEO).
Pages: Pair this creamy pasta salad with some air fryer green beans, sautéed garlic asparagus, mac and cheese, or crispy air fryer broccoli.
Sandwiches: Serve with a brisket sandwich, turkey panini, caprese sandwich, or turkey croissant sandwich.

Make this recipe ahead of time

Go on: This pasta salad can be prepared ahead of time. You can make this dish the night before and leave it wrapped in the fridge overnight.

storage: Store this creamy pasta salad in the fridge in an airtight container, or in a bowl lined with plastic wrap pressed directly against the pasta to keep air out. Stir and serve when done. It lasts 3-4 days.

Freeze: It’s best not to freeze this pasta salad, as the creamy dressing will come off as it thaws. So just do as much as you can enjoy in a few days.

More delicious salads!

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Full Recipe Guide

This classic creamy pasta salad makes a delicious side dish. Creamy dressing and crispy diced veggies mixed with elbow noodles make it so delicious.

Press Pen rate

Course: salad

Kitchen: American

Preparation time: 10 protocol

Cooking time: 7 protocol

Servings: 10

Calories: 361kcal

instructions

Start by preparing the creamy salad dressing. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
Then dice the red onion, celery and bell pepper. You can speed up the process by using a vegetable cutter.
Cook the noodles according to package directions or al dente. Once the noodles are cooked, pour them into a colander and quickly rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Then add the pasta, chopped veggies, and creamy dressing to a large bowl and toss to combine. You can add more salt here if you like. Serve chilled.

Remarks

Dice the vegetables. In this creamy pasta salad, you just want small, crunchy bites, so cut the veggies into small cubes. I find a vegetable chopper makes this easier.
Cook the pasta al dente The noodles shouldn’t be too soft, as they need to hold up to the dressing and veggies. Al dente leaves a solid structure.
Rinse the noodles in cold water. Stop the cooking process by rinsing the pasta with cold water. This will also cool the pasta so the dressing doesn’t melt while mixing.
Serve chilled- This pasta tastes best when served chilled. So keep them in the fridge until ready to serve.

Nourishment

Hello, I’m Dina, I’m so glad you stopped by! I think life is too short for bad coffee and boring food. With my easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes, you’ll be amazed at how quickly a healthy and delicious meal can be prepared. I hope you find something you enjoy!

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