Description
A refreshing and creamy pasta salad featuring rotini pasta tossed in a tangy mayonnaise and sour cream dressing, combined with fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red bell peppers. Perfect as a side dish or light meal, this salad is easy to prepare and ideal for picnics and gatherings.
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 Extras
- 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: Prepare the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for the salad.
- Make the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well-combined, creating a creamy and tangy dressing base.
- Toss the salad: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing along with the cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red bell pepper, chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and chopped fresh parsley. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and blend flavors: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least one hour. This chilling time helps the flavors meld together, enhancing the taste of the salad.
- Serve: After chilling, serve the creamy pasta salad cold as a side dish or light meal and enjoy its fresh, creamy, and tangy flavors.
Notes
- You can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier twist.
- Add chopped celery or carrots for extra crunch and nutrition.
- This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust sugar and vinegar quantities to taste depending on desired sweetness or tanginess.
