Cajun Pasta Salad

Name: Cajun Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 32 min
Yield: 8 people
Ingredients: kosher salt; 1 lb elbow macaroni; 2 tablespoon good-quality olive oil; ½ cup shallots; 1 cup red bell pepper; 1 cup celery; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning; 2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoon Creole/Cajun, or whole grain Dijon mustard; 1 ½ cups mayonnaise; 3 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon hot sauce; ¼ cup fresh parsley

User Reviews

4.4

42 reviews

Good

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
32 mins
Servings
8 people
Calories
295 kcal
Course
Salad
Cuisine
Cajun

Cajun Pasta Salad

Kaitlin Leblanc

Report

This Cajun Pasta Salad is just so good! Really bursting with flavor. Just a little kick, but nothing too much. Perfect for a Summer BBQ!! Yum! If you make this ahead of time (say several hours early...add a little extra water, as it will thicken as it sits in the fridge).

Share:

I Made This!

Be the first!

Print

1 person printed this

Save this

Be the first!

Ingredients

Servings

kosher salt
1 lb elbow macaroni
2 tablespoon good-quality olive oil divided
½ cup shallots finely minced
1 cup red bell pepper cored, seeded, and finely chopped
1 cup celery finely chopped
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoon Creole/Cajun, or whole grain Dijon mustard see Note
1 ½ cups mayonnaise
3 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon hot sauce ie, Tobasco, Crystals
¼ cup fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Add to Shopping List

Instructions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta and cook for 9 minutes, until tender.
Drain in colander and rinse with cool water.
Transfer to a large bowl and mix in 1 tablespoon olive oil.
In a separate medium bowl, combine the remaining ingredients, including the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water, to thin slightly.
Adjust seasonings, to taste.
Add the macaroni and mix.
Top with chopped parsley.

Notes

If you can't find Creole or Cajun mustard, any kind of whole grain, or spicy, or even just Dijon work just fine.
You can make the pasta several hours before serving. Just rinse after cooking, then toss with the oil then cover with plastic wrap. No need to refrigerate.
You can also make the dressing several hours before serving, after mixing together, cover with plastic wrap, and keep in the refrigerator.
Just before serving, mix pasta with dressing and a couple tablespoons of water. You don't want the dressing too thick. Best served at room temperature.