Description
A glorious Creamy Pasta Salad that's a crowd-pleaser, combining tangy, sweet, and creamy flavors with fresh vegetables. Perfect for potlucks and easy to customize.
Ingredients
1 pound short pasta (such as elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup full-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup milk (any type works)
2 stalks celery, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 small red onion, finely minced
1/2 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt to taste (start with 1 teaspoon)
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and let drain well
- Step 2: Prepare the Dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, granulated sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk until reaching a smooth consistency. Adjust seasonings as needed
- Step 3: Chop the Vegetables. Finely dice the celery, red bell pepper, and mince the red onion. Thaw the sweet peas and chop the parsley
- Step 4: Combine Ingredients. Add cooled pasta to the bowl with dressing, then add vegetables and parsley. Gently fold to combine
- Step 5: Season and Chill. Season with salt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight
- Step 6: Serve. Stir gently before serving. Add milk or mayonnaise if needed. Serve chilled
Notes
Best served cold. Can be made a day in advance.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg