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Creamy Pasta Salad

Creamy Pasta Salad

A vibrant and tangy Creamy Pasta Salad, perfect for summer gatherings and customizable with fresh ingredients.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Quick Bites & Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 16 ounces Fusilli or rotini pasta choose one for the best texture to hold the creamy dressing
For the Dressing
  • 1.5 cups Mayonnaise provides the creamy base for the salad
  • 0.5 cups Milk to thin out the dressing
  • 1 package Ranch dressing mix adds tangy flavor
For the Veggies
  • 1 Cucumber quartered and thinly sliced
  • 2 cups Broccoli florets chopped
  • 2 cups Asparagus ends removed and chopped
  • 2 Bell peppers chopped
  • 1 cup Cherry tomatoes halved
  • 0.25 cup Red onion thinly sliced
For the Cheese
  • 0.75 cup Cheddar cheese sliced into matchsticks or grated

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • mixing bowl
  • cutting board
  • knife

Method
 

How to Make Creamy Pasta Salad
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli or rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, wash and chop the cucumber, broccoli, asparagus, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix the ranch dressing mix, mayonnaise, and milk until smooth and well-combined.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, and cheddar cheese. Gently fold together.
  5. Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta and veggies, stirring until everything is well coated.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.
  7. Before serving, give the salad a good stir to redistribute the dressing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 10gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 8mg

Notes

Garnish with fresh parsley or cracked pepper before serving for a colorful touch.

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