Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe
This Creamy Pasta Salad has everything delicious about a classic Italian pasta salad, but with the creamiest, most flavorful dressing. It's loaded with creamy cheese, salty meat, and crunchy veggies for the the perfect combo of flavors and textures. Quick and easy to make, it's perfect for lazy summer nights or anytime you need a side dish with minimal fuss and hardly any cleanup.
Servings: 6 -8 people
Calories: 769kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Pasta Salad Ingredients
- 1 lb small to medium pasta elbows, shells, penne, rotini
- ½ cup bell pepper diced
- ½ cup cucumber diced
- 1 cup broccoli in small pieces
- ½ cup red onion finely diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut into fourths
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup salami finely diced (4 ounces)
- ½ cup sliced olives
Creamy Pasta Salad Dressing Ingredients
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water (it doesn’t have to be exact). Add the pasta and cook until tender, according to the package directions.1 lb small to medium pasta
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the creamy dressing in a separate bowl or large measuring cup. Whisk until smooth and well combined.⅓ cup olive oil, ⅓ cup red wine vinegar, ⅔ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon basil, 1 teaspoon parsley, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Once the pasta is tender, drain it and rinse quickly under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large bowl.
- Add in the remaining pasta salad ingredients. Pour the dressing over the top and gently stir until everything is evenly coated. Place in the refrigerator until cold. Serve cold.½ cup bell pepper, ½ cup cucumber, 1 cup broccoli, ½ cup red onion, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 8 ounces mozzarella pearls, 1 cup salami, ½ cup sliced olives
Notes
Tips & Tricks
- Don't overcook the pasta. Pasta salad is best when the pasta still has a little bite to it.
- Dice the vegetables the same general size. Texture plays an important role in the overall dish.
- Pour the dressing on the pasta while it is still slightly warm. You want it to be just warm enough to soak up the flavor of the dressing while not so hot that it melts the cheese or wilts the vegetables
Nutrition
Calories: 769kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 995mg | Potassium: 432mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 679IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 2mg
