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Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad – Creamy, Tangy, and Picnic-Perfect Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 99 reviews
  • Author: Hugo
  • Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad is a creamy, tangy, and colorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or casual gatherings. Featuring cavatappi pasta tossed with a zesty dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and Dijon mustard, it’s balanced with the crunch and sweetness of red bell pepper, celery, onion, and carrot. This pasta salad is best chilled for several hours to develop its full flavor, making it a refreshing and satisfying side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 pound cavatappi pasta

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Vegetables

  • 1 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup finely diced carrot

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cavatappi pasta until just al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. Chill the pasta completely in the refrigerator to prepare for mixing.
  2. Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
  3. Toss Pasta with Vinegar: Add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the chilled pasta to enhance tanginess and prevent the pasta from soaking up too much dressing later.
  4. Combine Pasta and Dressing: Pour two-thirds of the prepared dressing over the pasta and gently toss to coat all the pasta evenly. Allow the mixture to rest for 10–15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  5. Add Vegetables: Fold in the diced red bell pepper, celery, red onion, and carrot carefully, making sure the vegetables are evenly distributed without breaking the pasta.
  6. Adjust Creaminess: Add the remaining dressing to the salad to reach your preferred creaminess level. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt or vinegar if necessary.
  7. Chill the Salad: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 2–4 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor development and a perfectly chilled dish.
  8. Serve: Before serving, give the salad a good stir to redistribute the dressing and garnish with paprika or fresh herbs if desired for added color and flavor.

Notes

  • Use cavatappi or similar short, ridged pasta that holds dressing well.
  • Chilling the pasta before mixing helps maintain the salad’s texture and prevents it from becoming mushy.
  • Adjust vinegar and salt to taste for ideal balance of tang and seasoning.
  • Vegetables can be swapped or added based on preference or seasonal availability.
  • For a lighter version, consider substituting mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
  • This salad can be made a day ahead to deepen flavors.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, picnic pasta salad, cavatappi pasta, tangy dressing, summer side dish, vegetable pasta salad

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Find it online: https://flavorsbyhugo.com/pink-cadillac-pasta-salad-creamy-tangy-and-picnic-perfect-recipe/