Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad – Creamy, Tangy, and Picnic-Perfect
Indulge in the delightful Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad – a creamy, tangy dish bursting with color and flavor! This vibrant salad combines al dente cavatappi pasta with a luscious dressing made from mayonnaise and sour cream, perfectly complemented by fresh vegetables like red bell pepper, celery, and onion. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or simply a weekday lunch, this salad is not only easy to prepare but also versatile enough to pair beautifully with various main dishes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
- 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
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/2 cup finely diced carrot
Instructions
- Cook the cavatappi pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Toss cooled pasta with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice.
- Add two-thirds of the dressing to the pasta and mix gently. Allow it to sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Fold in the diced vegetables and adjust remaining dressing for desired creaminess.
- Refrigerate for at least 2–4 hours before serving; overnight is best for flavor enhancement.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg