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Creamy Pasta Salad

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Ingredients

Scale

Gather the following ingredients to make your Creamy Pasta Salad:

  • 1 lb (450g) pasta (penne, rotini, or bowtie work well)
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 cup diced cucumber
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (red or yellow)
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:

  1. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 10-12 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down quickly. This will prevent the pasta from getting soggy.
  2. Cool the Pasta: Allow the pasta to cool completely before mixing it with the dressing and veggies.

Prepare the Dressing:

  1. Mix the Dressing Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well-combined.

Assemble the Salad:

  1. Combine Pasta and Veggies: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Then, add the diced cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes.
  2. Toss to Coat: Gently toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy dressing. Be careful not to overmix and break the vegetables.
  3. Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. This step enhances the taste and texture of the salad.

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