Creamy pasta salads are a delightful addition to any summer gathering or picnic. With their luscious textures and tantalizing flavors, they are sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Whether you prefer a classic macaroni salad or a twist on tradition with added veggies and herbs, there is a creamy pasta salad recipe out there for everyone.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the best creamy pasta salad recipes that are guaranteed to impress your friends and family. So grab your apron, sharpen your knife, and get ready to create some culinary magic!
1. Creamy Pasta Salad
Creamy Pasta Salad is a delicious and tangy side dish that is perfect for potlucks and parties. The dressing is rich and creamy with a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. It is complemented by mixed dried herbs, adding depth of flavor. The pasta salad is made with elbow macaroni, but other pasta options can be used as well.
The addition of green bell pepper, celery, red onion, and pepperoni adds a nice crunch and a hint of spiciness. The cheese cubes, preferably freshly cut medium cheddar, bring a burst of flavor to every bite. Overall, Creamy Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleaser that can be made in under 20 minutes and enjoyed by even the pickiest eaters.
2. Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad
Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad is an incredibly flavorful and creamy pasta salad recipe. It combines cooked elbow macaroni with diced carrots, celery, red onion, frozen peas, ham, and cheddar cheese. The dressing is made with ranch seasoning mix, mayonnaise, and milk, creating a smooth and tangy flavor.
After mixing everything together, the salad is refrigerated for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. This recipe is perfect for ranch lovers and is a great addition to any summer gathering or potluck.
3. Creamy Macaroni Salad
Creamy Macaroni Salad is a delicious and easy-to-make pasta salad that is perfect for summer gatherings and barbecues. It features a creamy dressing with a hint of sweetness and is loaded with fresh vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, red onion, and celery. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a crowd-pleaser.
This recipe is versatile, allowing for substitutions and additions to suit personal preferences. It can be prepared in advance or served immediately, making it a convenient option for any occasion. Overall, Creamy Macaroni Salad is a must-try for pasta lovers looking for a tasty and refreshing side dish.
4. Creamy Southern Pasta Salad
Creamy Southern Pasta Salad is a must-try recipe for potlucks and picnics. This creamy and flavorful salad features macaroni, diced celery, red and green bell peppers, green onions, sweet salad cubes, red wine vinegar, seasoning salt, black pepper, mayonnaise, sour cream, and sharp cheddar cheese.
It is easy to make and can be prepared in advance, making it a convenient option for any occasion. The combination of ingredients creates a delicious and satisfying pasta salad that is sure to impress.
5. Bacon Pea Creamy Pasta Salad
Bacon Pea Creamy Pasta Salad is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Loaded with crispy bacon and petite peas, this salad is smothered in a tantalizing Lemon Parmesan dressing. It is quick and easy to make, requiring minimal chopping.
The creamy dressing is the star of the dish, with its luxurious blend of mayo, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. This pasta salad is perfect for potlucks or as a side dish, and can be customized with your favorite veggies. Overall, it is a crowd-pleaser that will leave you craving more.
6. Creamy Summer Pasta Salad
Creamy Summer Pasta Salad is a light and tangy pasta salad that is perfect for summer. It is filled with broccoli, cucumber, red pepper, black olives, and green onions, providing a high ratio of vegetables to pasta.
The creamy dressing is slightly tangy and adds the perfect complement to the salad. This recipe is easy to make and can be enjoyed as a light meal or as a side dish for summer gatherings. Overall, Creamy Summer Pasta Salad is a delicious and refreshing option for pasta salad lovers.
7. Creamy Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad
Creamy Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad is a zesty, sweet, and savory dish that is perfect for picnics or potlucks. The homemade dressing adds a tangy flavor that complements the smoky ham and mild cheddar cubes.
It's a delicious and easy salad that is family-friendly and can be made ahead of time. Overall, it's a creamy and delicious pasta salad that is sure to be a hit.
8. Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad
Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad is a delicious and vibrant pasta salad with a creamy high-protein tofu dressing. It combines whole wheat rotini with diced red onion, green onion, cherry tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, dill, parsley, olives or pickled veggies, and crushed walnuts.
The highlight of this recipe is the high-protein creamy dressing made with extra firm tofu, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, water, onion powder, fresh herbs, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. It's a filling, flavorful, and nutritious option for pasta lovers looking for a vegan twist.
9. Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Bacon
Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Bacon is a quick and easy recipe that is perfect for potlucks or as a side dish. The salad is made with medium shells pasta, thawed petite peas, and cooked and chopped bacon.
The highlight of this dish is the delicious lemon chive dressing, which adds a tangy and refreshing flavor. Overall, this creamy pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser that can be prepared ahead of time for convenience.
10. Healthy Creamy Pasta Salad
The Healthy Creamy Pasta Salad is a refreshing and light summer dish that is perfect for entertaining. Packed with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, peas, celery, and onions, it offers a burst of flavor.
The creamy dressing, made with just the right amount of mayo, is balanced by the tanginess of lemon juice and the richness of olive oil. This versatile recipe allows for customization with your favorite veggies and herbs. Plus, it can be whipped up in just 30 minutes, making it a convenient option for any occasion.
11. Pasta Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing
Pasta Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing is a flavorful and refreshing summer salad. The combination of spiral pasta, blanched corn, asparagus, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a burst of flavors.
The creamy parmesan dressing, made with mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, and grated parmesan cheese, adds a tangy and bright element to the dish. This pasta salad is perfect for potlucks and BBQs, and is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
12. Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad
Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad is a colorful and refreshing salad that combines fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions with pasta, all tossed in a light and creamy dressing. The addition of herbs adds a bright and fresh flavor to the dish.
This salad is perfect for any occasion, whether it's a backyard party, weeknight meal, or feeding a crowd. It can be made ahead of time and lasts well in the fridge for up to three days. Overall, Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad is a simple and delicious option for a creamy pasta salad.
13. Fruity Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad
Fruity Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad is a creamy pasta salad recipe that is bursting with flavor and texture. It combines spiral rotini pasta, cooked chicken, pineapple tidbits, celery, red and green grapes, green onions, and cashews in a creamy dressing made with ranch dressing, mayonnaise, pineapple juice, and salt.
This salad is perfect for large gatherings or potlucks and is best served right away or within a few hours of making it. The addition of the cashews adds a delightful crunch to the salad. Overall, Fruity Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad is a delicious and satisfying creamy pasta salad option.
14. Italian Pasta Salad
Italian Pasta Salad is a creamy and flavorful side dish loaded with cherry tomatoes, red onions, salami, bacon, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese.
The combination of mayo and basil pesto creates a creamy dressing that coats the cavatappi noodles perfectly. The addition of real bacon bits adds a nice crunch to the salad. This pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser and is great for potluck parties.
15. BLT Pasta Salad
BLT Pasta Salad is a delicious and creamy pasta salad recipe that combines the classic flavors of a BLT sandwich with pasta. It features juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon, fresh spinach, and a creamy dressing. This salad is perfect for summer BBQs and potlucks, and it is a crowd-pleaser that goes well with any main dish.
The use of rotini pasta adds a fun twist, and the dressing is flavorful and coats the ingredients evenly. Overall, BLT Pasta Salad is a must-try for pasta salad lovers looking for a creamy and satisfying dish.
16. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is a creamy pasta salad loaded with grated carrots, yellow onion, and chopped green onion. The mayo dressing has a hint of sweetness, making it a crowd-pleaser for parties and potlucks.
This easy-to-make recipe requires just over thirty minutes of prep time and a few hours of chilling in the refrigerator before serving. The addition of apple cider vinegar adds a tangy twist to the dish. Overall, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is a delicious and satisfying creamy pasta salad option.
17. Ranch Pasta Salad
Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy and refreshing side dish that is perfect for any occasion. Made with tri-color rotini noodles, fresh vegetables like cucumber, tomato, and broccoli, and topped with parmesan cheese, this salad is bursting with flavor.
The dressing, whether homemade or store-bought, adds a tangy and creamy element that ties everything together. It's a simple and delicious pasta salad that will surely be a hit at any gathering.
