Best 3 Creamy Italian Pasta Salad Recipes

Craving a refreshing and flavorful pasta salad that is perfect for summer gatherings or potlucks? Look no further than creamy Italian pasta salad! With its vibrant colors, tantalizing aroma, and creamy, tangy dressing, this dish is sure to be a hit. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to create the ultimate creamy Italian pasta salad, so get ready to impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad image

This is my favorite pasta salad recipe based on years of making it for BBQs and family get-togethers. A little bit of everything in this Italian dish.

Provided by Alexandra Girardi

Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Farfalle Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h5m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package bow-tie pasta (farfalle)
1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets
5 ounces Muenster cheese
5 ounces Colby-Jack cheese
5 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese
2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, sliced
½ cup pepperoni, cut into quarters
1 (8 ounce) bottle creamy Italian salad dressing (such as Wish-Bone®)
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch dried oregano, or to taste
1 pinch paprika, or to taste

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bow-tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain and let cool.
Meanwhile, place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover, and steam until tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain and let cool.
Cut cheeses into small cubes and combine in a large bowl with pasta, broccoli, ham, cherry tomatoes, olives, and pepperoni. Mix in the dressing. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 469.8 calories, Carbohydrate 32.9 g, Cholesterol 57.6 mg, Fat 28.8 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 20.7 g, SaturatedFat 11.6 g, Sodium 984.8 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

CREAMY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad image

If you like simple pasta salads you should try this. I love this in the summer but you could have this any time. I didn't see any other recipes like this that used both dressings so I thought I'd share mine. They really do go well together. This is pretty versatile and you can add any veggies that you'd like.

Provided by MTpockets

Categories < 30 Mins

Time 25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package tri-color spiral pasta (or pasta of your choice)
1 cup Italian salad dressing (I like good seasons)
1 cup caesar salad dressing
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
1 green bell peppers or 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

Steps:

Cook pasta as directed, rinse with cold water and drain well.
In a large bowl, combine rest of ingredients and toss to coat.
Add pasta and toss to coat.
Chill at least 2 hours before serving.
*** If pasta "absorbs" the dressing, you may need to add a little more dressing after chill time before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 468.6, Fat 29.6, SaturatedFat 6.2, Cholesterol 22.5, Sodium 849.8, Carbohydrate 39.1, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 5.9, Protein 11.6

CREAMY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad image

Toss a zesty Italian yogurt dressing with tomatoes, zucchini and pasta for a colorful and delicious salad.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 package (7 oz) elbow or other macaroni (about 2 cups)
2 cups Yoplait® Fat Free plain yogurt (from 2-lb container)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 medium onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives
2 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices (1 1/2 cups)
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch slices (2 cups)

Steps:

Cook, drain and rinse macaroni as directed on package.
In large bowl, mix yogurt, cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic salt and onion. Stir in macaroni. Add remaining ingredients; toss. Cover and refrigerate any remaining salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 510 mg, Sugar 9 g, TransFat 0 g

Tips:

Cook the pasta al dente to ensure it retains a slight bite and doesn't become mushy in the salad.
Use a variety of colorful vegetables to make the salad visually appealing and packed with nutrients.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of pasta shapes and sizes to add texture and variety to the salad.
Make sure to rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming sticky.
Use a creamy Italian dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and herbs to add richness and flavor to the salad.
Top the salad with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley for an extra burst of flavor and color.

Conclusion:

Creamy Italian pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish. With its creamy dressing, colorful vegetables, and tender pasta, this salad is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a dish to impress your guests, creamy Italian pasta salad is a great choice. So next time you're in need of a flavorful and satisfying salad, give this recipe a try.