Creamy Pasta Salad

You can find a version of this classic creamy pasta salad at get-togethers everywhere, but it’s also great as an easy weeknight side for pulled pork sandwiches or hamburgers. Our version is chock-full of crisp vegetables tossed with a simple creamy dressing that is balanced with just a bit of sugar and tart vinegar.

This creamy pasta salad recipe has a great foundation of pasta, dressing and veggies, but there’s lots of room to make it your own. See our variations for ideas on different vegetables, seasonings and some hearty proteins that would make this a complete meal, ideal for a workday lunch.

Ingredients for Creamy Pasta Salad

• Pasta: Medium pasta shells capture a little bit of dressing in every bite.
• Broccoli, red onion, cucumber and sweet red peppers: A colorful blend of veggies make this salad crunchy, healthy and very tasty.
• Olives: We love the convenience of a can of sliced black olives, but you can use whatever olive is your favorite. Just drain well, pit and chop them into bite-sized pieces.

Dressing:

• Mayonnaise: Mayo is a classic base for creamy pasta salad dressing.
• Apple cider vinegar: A few tablespoons of bright apple cider vinegar thin the dressing and balance the richness. This recipe calls for apple cider, but red wine or white vinegar would also work.
• Sugar: Just a teaspoon of sugar adds a touch of sweetness that complements the vegetables.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta and add veggies

Cook the pasta, following the package’s instructions. Drain well and rinse in cold water. Place the pasta in a large bowl and stir in the broccoli, onion, cucumber, red pepper and olives.

Step 2: Make the dressing

Whisk the mayo, vinegar, sugar and seasoning together in a small bowl. Toss the dressing with the pasta, cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours until chilled.

Creamy Pasta Salad Variations

• Different pasta shape: Medium shells have a built-in pocket for dressing, but other small pasta shapes would work well, too. Try ditalini, elbows or radiatore.
• Customize the veggies: Using a variety of crunchy, colorful vegetables is what makes this pasta salad so delicious, but there are lots of options. Try sweet corn, peas, quartered cherry tomatoes or green onions.
• Hearty protein: If you want this salad as a complete meal, top it with sliced chicken breast or cubed ham.
• Better with bacon: Some people are big believers that anything is better with bacon. If you’re in that camp, crumble some bacon into this creamy salad.
• Lighten up: If you’d like to save a few calories, you can use light mayo or replace half of the mayo with plain Greek yogurt.

How to Store Creamy Pasta Salad

Store leftover creamy pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.

Can you make creamy pasta salad ahead of time?

This pasta salad can be made several hours ahead of serving. If you’d like to make it even earlier, hold back half the dressing and toss just before serving. The pasta will continue to absorb the dressing as it sits, so this technique ensures everyone gets some creamy dressing with each bite.

Creamy Pasta Salad Tips

How do you cook pasta for this salad?

Salting the cooking water guarantees more flavorful pasta. Also, since this salad is sitting in a creamy dressing, it will continue to absorb moisture. To avoid mushy pasta, cook the shells only to al dente, or stop cooking just shy of al dente. Rinse the cooked pasta in cold water to halt the cooking and rinse off extra starch. Drain the pasta really well, so the dressing doesn’t get diluted.

What are some tips for prepping veggies for pasta salad?

The key to great vegetable pasta salad is to cut the veggies into uniform, bite-sized pieces. It’s better to err on the side of a smaller dice. Additionally, consider blanching the broccoli if you want to soften it just a bit and make it taste less raw.

Can you add additional seasonings?

If you prefer a little more oomph, feel free to gussy up the dressing with additional seasonings. Garlic and onion powder would add more flavor. Or just before serving, stir in minced fresh herbs like dill or parsley.