Creamy Pasta Salad Delight 🍝🌿

This creamy pasta salad is a delightful combination of flavors and textures, making it a perfect dish for picnics, potlucks, or light summer dinners. The creaminess of the dressing complements the fresh vegetables and adds a rich touch to the tender pasta. Customize it with your favorite add-ins to make it truly your own!

Ingredients

For the pasta salad

• 2 cups of rotini or penne pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved

For the creamy dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.

• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, black olives, parsley, and mozzarella balls.

🥗 Rinsing the pasta with cold water not only cools it down but also prevents it from becoming sticky.

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until smooth.

• Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture and toss gently until everything is well coated.

• Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

🕒 This salad tastes even better the next day, as the ingredients have time to absorb the dressing!

Variations

• Vegan: Substitute the mayonnaise and Greek yogurt with vegan alternatives and use chickpeas or tofu for protein.
• Pasta Variety: Feel free to swap the rotini or penne for whole wheat, gluten-free, or even chickpea pasta for added nutrition.
• Add More Veggies: Toss in grated carrots, steamed broccoli, or diced avocado for an extra crunch and flavor.
• Herb Infusion: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, dill, or cilantro for a fresh twist on the traditional flavor.

Enjoy your creamy pasta salad delight and share it with loved ones for a taste of summer, no matter the season! 🌞👫