Are you looking for delicious homemade pasta salad with mayo? Look no further, I have got you covered with this creamy pasta salad recipe. It is easy, delicious and uses a handful of vegetables, it is a perfect summer dish. This recipe can be served warm or cold.
I like to serve mine as a side dish on its own for a meatless dinner or with baked salmon in a foil.
Easy Creamy pasta recipe
Today’s recipe is a good way to use up the fresh produce you have in your fridge just like my prawn stir fry recipe. Who doesn’t like a quick pick me up recipe just like this cucumber salad?
Pasta salad is not only great for summer parties, barbeques or potlucks alone, it is a great side dish that can grace your table any time of the year. It is also good to be eaten on its own.
I love making macaroni salad but in the absence of macaroni I use any other curly pasta of choice and in this case, fusilli pasta. The shape of this pasta holds the salad dressing in place. Rotini, bow tie (farfalle) or conchiglie are great pasta options for creamy salad too.
A good salad recipe doesn’t have to cost you an arm to make, the only ingredient used in this salad that you may not already have in your pantry might be the feta cheese. Although it adds great flavour to this salad, you can completely do without it.
Right, let me show you how to make this super easy creamy pasta salad that is great for all occasions.
Ingredients you need to make creamy pasta salad
Fusilli pasta: any short pasta would work for this recipe
Red pepper
Celery
Feta cheese: substitute with good old cheddar cheese or mozzarella pearls.
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumber
Red onions
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Green onions
Dill
Dressing
Mayonnaise: I used fat-free mayonnaise, it is a lot lighter and runnier than the full-fat mayonnaise one, hence why I only added lemon juice to it. If using full-fat mayonnaise, lighten it with some yogurt or sour cream. I will list the measurement in the recipe card.
Lemon juice
Variations
Carrots
Boiled eggs
Sour cream
Mustard
Yogurt
Peas
Ham
Chicken
vinegar: for tangier taste, I love using apple cider vinegar
How to make creamy pasta salad
Cook the pasta in salted water according to the directions on the packet. Pasta should still be firm to bite.
Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water, set aside and leave until completely cool. Make sure you drain any excess water.
Add the cooled pasta to a large bowl, add chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese.
Then add the juice of one medium lemon on top of the pasta and vegetables. Add mayonnaise, dill, salt and pepper and mix until combined.
Place the pasta salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to build flavour. Serve and enjoy.
More pasta recipes you will love
More salad recipes you will love
watermelon feta salad with basil
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Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) Fusilli pasta: any short pasta would work for this recipe
- 1 cup diced Red pepper I used a large red bell pepper
- ⅓ cup chopped celery from 1 celery stalk
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled: substitute with good old cheddar cheese or mozzarella pearls.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ⅓ cup diced red onions
- 1 cup cucumber chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried dill substitute for fresh dill
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Green onions to garnish
Dressing
- 1 cup light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice or as needed
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to the directions on the packet. Pasta should still be firm to bite. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water, set aside and leave until completely cool. Make sure you drain any excess water.
- Add the cooled pasta to a large bowl, add chopped celery, diced red bell pepper, chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese.
- Then add the juice of one medium lemon on top of the pasta and vegetables. Add mayonnaise, dill, salt and pepper and mix until combined. Place the pasta salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to build flavour. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? PLEASE RATE IT AND LEAVE ME A COMMENT. USE #THEDINNERBITE OR TAG @THEDINNERBITE ON INSTAGRAM SO I CAN SEE YOUR PHOTOS, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS. THANK YOU!
Tamara says
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe for pasta salad, it was delicious. I used your recipe for an catering event and it was a success. Thanks for sharing.
Ajoke says
Hello, Tamara, I so happy that you love this pasta salad recipe. Yay, for using it in your catering event. Happy days!!! thank you so much for the feedback and I wish you more success in your endeavours.
Kathleen says
Hi I enjoyed this pasta salad! Be making it again and again!
Ajoke says
Hi Kathleen, I am so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you
Chloe says
Lovely recipe and very easy to use thank you 😊 xx
Kfender says
This recipe is amazing—just what I was looking for! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Ajoke says
I am glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for the feedback.
Ronna York says
Hi Lady,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe for pasta salad. It was delicious and easy to prepare. I will be using your recipe many times this summer and throughout the year.
Ajoke says
Aw, thank you, Ronna! I am so glad you liked this pasta salad recipe. It means a lot to me. Thank you!