Best 7 Creamy Dijon Pasta Salad Recipes

MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring large pot of salted water to the boil over high heat. Add the pasta and boil until al dente (just fork-tender), or follow packet directions.
• While pasta is boiling, prepare/chop SALAD ingredients and add them to a large serving bowl.
• Mix DRESSING ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Once pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cool running water. Drain well and add to the rest of the SALAD ingredients in the large serving bowl.
• Pour over DRESSING and toss well to evenly combine. Adjust salt, pepper and vinegar to taste.
• Set aside for at least 15 minutes to let the ingredients warm close to room temperature and settle into each other before serving.

PERFECT CREAMY MACARONI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse well under cold water to remove starch from the outside of the pasta.
• Meanwhile, add the chopped onions to a small bowl and cover with cold water. Set aside for 5 minutes and then drain. This tones down the raw flavor of the onion so that it won't overpower the salad.
• In the bottom of a large salad bowl, make the dressing. Whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. For a sweeter macaroni salad, add honey to taste. I typically add half of a tablespoon but try one to two tablespoons if you enjoy sweeter macaroni salads.
• Add the rinsed macaroni, drained onions, bell pepper, celery, radish, and the pickle to the bowl with dressing. Mix well. Taste, then adjust with additional salt and pepper.

CREAMY VEGAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Strain pasta and rinse under cold water. Drain.
• Combine bell pepper, corn, celery, and red onion in a bowl. Mix together vegan mayo, vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; pour over vegetables. Mix in cold pasta and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
• Cover pasta salad and let cool in fridge for at least 90 minutes before serving, stirring occasionally to mix sauce into pasta evenly.

CLASSIC CREAMY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Start off by making the creamy salad dressing. In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. 
• Then dice up the red onion, celery, and bell pepper. You can speed the process up by using a vegetable chopper.
• Now cook the pasta according to the package or al dente. Once the pasta is cooked, pour out into a colander and quickly rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. 
• Then add the pasta, chopped vegetables, and creamy dressing into a large bowl and toss to combine. Here you can add additional salt according to your liking. Serve chilled.

MACARONI SALAD WITH BACON, PEAS, AND CREAMY DIJON DRESSING

Steps:

• To prepare dressing, combine first 9 ingredients in a food processor, and process until smooth. Cover and chill.
• To prepare salad, cook pasta according to package directions.
• Add peas during the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain; rinse with cold water. Drain.
• Combine pea/ pasta mixture, bell pepper, and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Toss pasta mixture with half of dressing. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Toss salad with remaining dressing, and sprinkle with crumbled bacon; serve immediately.

CREAMY DIJON TURKEY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Layer first 4 ingredients in 3-qt. serving bowl.
• Mix dressings and mustard until blended; spread over salad, sealing to edge of bowl. Top with cheese and tomatoes.
• Refrigerate several hours or until chilled. Toss gently before serving.

DIJON CHICKEN AND PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Empty Pasta mix into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil uncovered about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Shake to drain well.
• Stir together Seasoning mix, oil, water and mustard in large bowl. Stir in pasta-vegetable mixture. Stir in chicken. Toss with Parmesan Topping. Refrigerate any remaining salad.