Easy Creamy Pasta Salad in 5 Quick Steps

Why You’ll Love It

🕒 Comes together in about 20 minutes
🥡 Great for parties or weekly meal prep
🌈 Filled with vibrant, crunchy vegetables
🥛 Smooth, tangy dressing with a savory touch

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Ingredients

Salad

• 2 cups elbow macaroni or rotini
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup finely diced red onion
• 1 cup thawed frozen peas

Dressing

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
Drain well and rinse under cold water to cool it quickly and stop the cooking process.

2. Prepare the Vegetables

Chop the celery, peppers, carrots, and onion into small, uniform pieces for even texture.

3. Mix the Dressing

In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

4. Toss It Together

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, vegetables, and peas.
Add the dressing and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.

5. Chill and Serve

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend.

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Pro Tips

• Rinse the pasta right after draining to prevent sticking.
• Chilling enhances both flavor and texture — don’t skip this step.
• Stir in extras like diced ham, shredded cheese, chopped hard-boiled eggs, or crispy bacon for added variety.
• For a lighter version, replace half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.