Description
Creamy pasta salad is a delightful dish that combines cooked pasta with a rich and smooth dressing, typically made with mayonnaise and sour cream, along with colorful vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups of uncooked pasta
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup of sour cream
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup of diced cucumbers
- 1 cup of diced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup of finely chopped red onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/2 cup of olives
- Optional: 1 cup of shredded cheese
- Optional: 1 cup of cooked chicken or 1 can of tuna
- Optional: Fresh herbs like basil or dill
- Optional: 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise and sour cream, mixing until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooled pasta to the dressing and gently fold to combine.
- Add cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onion, folding until evenly coated.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Before serving, stir gently and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
- For best texture, consider storing watery ingredients like cucumbers separately and adding them just before serving.
- This salad can be made ahead of time and often tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: creamy pasta salad, pasta salad recipe, summer salad, easy pasta salad