Description
This Creamy Pasta Salad is a delightful and refreshing dish perfect for gatherings or as a side for any meal. Featuring a combination of rotini pasta tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard, it’s mixed with fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and olives, making it colorful and full of flavor. Ready in just 25 minutes, this pasta salad is served chilled, ideal for warm days or as a make-ahead dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound pasta (rotini, penne, or your favorite shape)
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and chopped fresh parsley into the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Serve: After chilling, serve the pasta salad cold as a refreshing side or light main dish. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Add cooked and cooled chicken or tuna to make this salad a complete meal.
- For extra crunch, consider adding chopped celery or radishes.
- Adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar based on your preferred level of tanginess.
- This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but is best consumed fresh for optimal flavor and texture.
