Best 4 The Best Creamy Pasta Salad Recipes
**Indulge in a Symphony of Flavors: Creamy Pasta Salad Recipes to Tantalize Your Taste Buds**
Pasta salad, a delightful symphony of flavors and textures, is a quintessential dish that has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide. This versatile dish offers a blank canvas for culinary creativity, allowing you to incorporate a diverse range of ingredients and dressings to suit your unique preferences. From tangy Italian-inspired dressings to creamy and rich mayonnaise-based sauces, the possibilities are endless. Dive into a culinary journey with our curated collection of creamy pasta salad recipes, each promising a unique burst of flavors that will leave you craving for more.
**1. Classic Creamy Pasta Salad:**
Embark on a culinary adventure with our classic creamy pasta salad recipe, a harmonious blend of tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a luscious creamy dressing. This timeless recipe evokes nostalgia, reminding you of summer picnics and backyard gatherings.
**2. Pesto Pasta Salad:**
Experience the vibrant flavors of Italy with our pesto pasta salad. This recipe combines the aromatic basil pesto with creamy mayonnaise, creating a tantalizing dressing that coats every strand of pasta. Topped with sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts, this salad is a symphony of textures and flavors.
**3. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad:**
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our bacon ranch pasta salad. Crispy bacon bits, creamy ranch dressing, and a medley of vegetables come together in perfect harmony. This crowd-pleasing recipe is sure to be a hit at your next potluck or gathering.
**4. Greek Yogurt Pasta Salad:**
For a healthier twist on creamy pasta salad, try our Greek yogurt pasta salad. This recipe utilizes tangy Greek yogurt as the base of the dressing, resulting in a lighter and more refreshing salad. Feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and fresh herbs add a distinctly Mediterranean flair.
**5. Avocado Pasta Salad:**
Avocado lovers, rejoice! Our avocado pasta salad is a creamy and indulgent treat that combines the richness of avocado with a hint of tangy lime. This recipe is not only visually appealing but also packed with healthy fats and nutrients.
**6. Cajun Shrimp Pasta Salad:**
Spice things up with our Cajun shrimp pasta salad. Succulent shrimp tossed in a creamy Cajun-inspired dressing creates a flavorful explosion in every bite. This recipe is perfect for those who enjoy a touch of heat and spice in their pasta salad.
**7. Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad:**
Take your pasta salad to the next level with our roasted vegetable pasta salad. Roasted vegetables bring a delightful smoky flavor and vibrant colors to the dish. This recipe is not only delicious but also a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.
CLASSIC CREAMY PASTA SALAD
This Classic Creamy Pasta Salad is such a flavorful side dish. Creamy dressing and crispy diced vegetables mixed with elbow pasta make it oh so delicious.
Provided by Dina
Categories Salad
Number Of Ingredients 9
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 361 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 21 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 18 mg, Sodium 282 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PERFECT CREAMY MACARONI PASTA SALAD
The key to the best creamy pasta salad is to rinse the cooked pasta under cold water before tossing with the dressing. Skipping this step means the dressing will turn sticky. We also "de-flame" the onion, which tames raw onion flavor so that the onion does not take over the salad. A quick bath in cold water does the trick.
Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher
Categories Side Dish
Time 20m
Yield Makes about 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
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.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/6 of the recipe, Calories 252, Fat 10.4g, SaturatedFat 2.9g, Cholesterol 10.6g, Sodium 317.2mg, Carbohydrate 32.2g, Fiber 2.1g, Sugar 2.4g, Protein 6.9g
CREAMY PASTA SALAD
"I love creating new and tasty foods, including this popular side-dish salad," Lori Menard writes from Omaha, Nebraska. "I make it often for my husband and me, especially during the summer months. If you add some cooked chicken breast, you can make this a meal for two."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 25m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 233 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 1021mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 9g protein.
THE BEST CREAMY PASTA SALAD
This is The BEST Creamy Pasta Salad you will ever make, promise. Thanks to one secret ingredient, this classic creamy pasta salad is infinitely more flavorful thank most recipes you'll find.
Provided by Nicole
Categories Side Dish
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Season with salt. Add the pasta and give it a stir. Cook until aldente (it should have a slight bite to it). Drain and rinse under cold water until chilled.
- Add mayo and beef bouillon to a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Add the sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, and salt. Whisk until smooth. Add the pasta. Toss until completely coated. If needed, add a little bit of buttermilk to thin the dressing out. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add in peppers, red onion, and tomatoes. Toss. Again, season with salt and pepper. Serve right away or chill until read to serve. If you do chill it, before serving, give it a stir, if needed, add a little bit of buttermilk to thin out the dressing as needed.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 292 kcal, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 10 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Sodium 572 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 6 g
Tips:
- Use a high-quality mayonnaise. This will make a big difference in the flavor of the salad.
- Add some freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten up the salad.
- If you don't have any fresh herbs on hand, use dried herbs instead. Just be sure to use half the amount of dried herbs as you would fresh herbs.
- Cook the pasta al dente so that it still has a little bit of a bite to it.
- If you want to make the salad ahead of time, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving.
Conclusion:
This creamy pasta salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is a great way to use up leftover chicken or ham, and it is also a great side dish for grilled or roasted meats. The creamy dressing is made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese, and it is tossed with cooked pasta, vegetables, and herbs. This salad is sure to be a hit with your family and friends!
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