5.0 from 12 votes
Creamy Pasta Salad
A creamy pasta salad that's perfect for picnics, potlucks with friends, or light summer dinners.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 25 mins
Servings: 8 cups
Calories: 297 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian , American
Ingredients
- 2 cups (about 7 ounces) uncooked rotini pasta (about 4 cups cooked)
- ¾ cup Creamy Italian Salad Dressing (I use Wish-Bone)
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (I use Duke's)
- ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- ½ of a sweet bell pepper (any color), seeded and chopped
- ½ cup sliced cucumber
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup mini pepperoni, diced ham, or chopped crispy bacon
- ½ cup cubed cheese, such as sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or fresh mozzarella
- ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions for al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool completely.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the dressing by whisking together the creamy Italian salad dressing and the mayonnaise. Set aside.
- Once the pasta is completely cool, transfer it in a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, pepperoni (or ham or bacon), cheese, olives (if using), and basil. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss to combine. It looks like a lot of dressing initially, but the pasta will absorb some of it as it chills in the fridge. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours before serving. Just before serving, give everything a good stir. Add a little bit more creamy Italian dressing (or mayo) if it looks dry.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- The salad is best if it has at least 1-2 hours to chill in the fridge. You can even prepare it up to 24 hours in advance. Just add a little bit more dressing right before serving to loosen it up as necessary.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cup
Calories
297kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
22g
(7%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
9g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
22mg
(7%)
Sodium
397mg
(17%)
Potassium
157mg
(4%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
202IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
9mg
(10%)
Calcium
70mg
(7%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 297
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 297kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 9g | 53% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 22mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 397mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 157mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 202IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.