Description
This Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad is a vibrant and creamy dish that combines al dente pasta with fresh vegetables and savory bacon bits. Perfect for summer gatherings, it’s a delightful mix of flavors and textures that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup bacon bits
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound of rotini pasta and cook according to package directions, typically around 8-10 minutes, until al dente. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s tender but still has a slight bite to it. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Whisk together until smooth and creamy. This dressing should be thick but pourable; adjust with a little milk if it’s too thick.
- Prepare the vegetables: thinly slice 1/2 red onion, dice 2 celery stalks, and chop 1 green bell pepper. Cut 1 cup of cherry tomatoes in half. Add all the diced vegetables into the bowl with the dressing, mixing gently to combine.
- Add the cooled rotini pasta to the bowl. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the dressing and the veggies are evenly distributed. This step is crucial; you don’t want clumps of dressing sitting at the bottom!
- Gently fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of bacon bits into the pasta salad. Stir carefully to avoid breaking the pasta. The cheese will add a creamy texture and delightful flavor.
- Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld beautifully. It will look even more vibrant and tempting after it’s chilled!
- Before serving, give the salad a good stir to redistribute the dressing. If it looks too dry, add a touch more mayo or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten it up. Serve cold and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: One common mistake is overcooking the pasta. Always cook it al dente, as it will continue to soften while it chills in the refrigerator.