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Creamy Pasta Salad with Fresh Veggies

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A quick and easy creamy pasta salad featuring fresh vegetables and a tangy, smooth dressing, perfect for summer parties and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced (seeded if preferred)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup (50 grams) shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (120 grams) plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup (60 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) mayonnaise (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) white vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or dill, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of rotini or bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely (about 10 minutes).
  2. While pasta cooks, wash and chop your fresh veggies: halve 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber and 1 red bell pepper, shred 1/2 cup (50 grams) carrots, and finely chop 1/4 cup (30 grams) red onion if using.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup (120 grams) plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup (60 grams) softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup (60 ml) mayonnaise (optional), 2 tablespoons (30 ml) white vinegar or lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, and 1 minced garlic clove. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Add 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill and stir to combine.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the drained pasta and chopped veggies. Pour the creamy dressing over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. If it looks too thick, add a splash of milk or pasta water to loosen the dressing.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving. For best flavor, chill longer if possible.
  6. Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice if needed. Garnish with extra fresh herbs or freshly cracked black pepper.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture holds better in the salad. Rinse pasta thoroughly to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Chop veggies uniformly for balanced texture. Chill salad for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Adjust seasoning gradually. If salad is dry after chilling, stir in extra yogurt or olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pasta salad, summer salad, fresh veggies, easy pasta salad, picnic recipe, potluck dish, healthy pasta salad

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/creamy-pasta-salad-with-fresh-veggies-easy-recipe-for-summer-parties/