Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad (Printable Version)
Vibrant creamy pasta with cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers in tangy pink dressing
# What You Need:
→ Pasta & Vegetables
01 - 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup diced red bell pepper
04 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
05 - 1 cup diced cucumber
06 - 1/2 cup chopped celery
→ Pink Cadillac Dressing
07 - 3/4 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1/4 cup sour cream
09 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
10 - 2 tablespoons pickle juice or red wine vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Garnishes
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
16 - 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Prepare pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool quickly. Set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine halved cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, sliced red onion, diced cucumber, and chopped celery.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, pickle juice (or vinegar), Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and evenly blended with a pink hue.
04 - Add cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture. Pour the dressing over the top and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Gently fold in chopped parsley and shredded cheddar cheese if using.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold, garnished with additional parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The dressing is a genius blend of creamy and tangy that keeps everyone guessing
- It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge, making it perfect for prep-ahead parties
- That gorgeous pink hue turns an ordinary pasta salad into a conversation piece
02 -
- The pasta absorbs dressing as it sits, so you might want to save a little extra to refresh it before serving if it's been hanging out in the fridge all day
- Cold ingredients are crucial here, room-temperature pasta can turn your creamy dressing into a weirdly oily situation
- This salad needs that minimum hour in the fridge, it's like it needs time for all the flavors to properly introduce themselves
03 -
- Taste your dressing before you pour it on the salad, adjusting the ketchup or vinegar until it hits that perfect sweet-tangy balance
- Chop your vegetables slightly smaller than you think you should, it makes the salad easier to eat and helps distribute the flavors evenly