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Flavorful Crack Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Addictive Summer Side Dish

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This pasta salad is a quick, easy, and addictive summer side dish featuring a creamy, tangy dressing and fresh crunchy vegetables. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or casual dinners, it delivers bold flavors with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or shell pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup cottage cheese, blended smooth
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped (optional)
  • ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • Cooked and crumbled bacon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or shell pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Let it drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 cup cucumber, ½ cup red bell pepper, shred ½ cup carrots, and finely chop ¼ cup red onion.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup cottage cheese, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon sugar or honey. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon chopped chives.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, chopped vegetables, and dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every piece of pasta. If using, add ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese or crumbled bacon now.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld and the pasta soak up the dressing.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after boiling to stop cooking and prevent sogginess. Blend cottage cheese until smooth for a silky dressing. Chill salad at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor. Adjust salt and pepper to taste before chilling. If salad seems dry after chilling, stir in extra mayonnaise or a splash of milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, summer side dish, easy pasta salad, creamy dressing, potluck recipe, addictive pasta salad, rotini pasta salad

Find it online: https://larameals.com/flavorful-crack-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-addictive-summer-side-dish/