creamy pasta salad
This creamy pasta salad is a delightful blend of tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a tangy, savory dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light meal, it's easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounce salad macaroni or ditalini pasta
- 1 cup tiny broccoli florets
- 0.5 cup diced cucumber
- 0.5 cup finely diced red pepper
- 0.5 cup sliced black olives
- 0.25 cup very thinly sliced green onion
Dressing
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoon white wine or plain vinegar
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, adding a generous tablespoon or so of kosher salt to the water as it cooks. Just before the noodles are done cooking, add the broccoli to the pot. Let the broccoli boil for about 30 seconds and then drain everything into a large colander. Rinse well with cold water.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the bowl and stir well to coat.
- Add the cucumber, pepper, olives, and onions and stir again. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir again just before serving.
Notes
This salad tastes even better after chilling for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir well before serving.