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Creamy Pasta Salad

Creamy Pasta Salad That Elevates Your Summer BBQ Game

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This Creamy Pasta Salad is a refreshing side perfect for summer BBQs, bursting with flavors and textures.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 12-16 ounces Garden Rotini Pasta Feel free to substitute with any short pasta you have on hand.
  • 1 medium Red Onion Can use green onions for a milder taste.
  • 1 medium Cucumber Swap with bell pepper or celery for variation.
  • 1 cup Grape Tomatoes Any juicy little tomatoes will do if these are unavailable.
  • 1 medium Yellow Bell Pepper Feel free to use any color bell pepper.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Italian Vinaigrette Dressing Store-bought or homemade will both work beautifully.
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise Greek yogurt or vegan mayo are lighter alternatives.
  • 1.25 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning For a different flavor, try Old Bay instead.
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper Just a touch for seasoning.
  • 1/2 teaspoon White Sugar You can replace it with honey or simply omit it.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • Mixing Bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Once boiling, add pasta and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain well.
  2. Transfer drained pasta back to pot or bowl, rinse under cold water to cool, then let drain.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Italian vinaigrette, Cajun seasoning, ground black pepper, and white sugar.
  4. Fold in cooled pasta and chopped vegetables, stirring gently to coat.
  5. Transfer to an airtight container or cover, refrigerate for at least 1-3 hours.
  6. Serve cold and enjoy, optionally garnished with fresh herbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Adjust seasoning to taste; flavors intensify after chilling. Feel free to swap vegetables based on your preferences.

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