Best 20 Creamy Pasta Salad Recipes

THE BEST CREAMY PASTA SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Rinse well with cold water until pasta is cold.
• Place cooked and cooled pasta in a large mixing or serving bowl.
• Mix in broccoli florets, red onion, red bell pepper, cucumber, sliced olives and cheese.
• Whisk together all dressing ingredients and pour over pasta and other ingredients.
• Gently fold in dressing until all ingredients are evenly coated.
• Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

CREAMY CRAB AND PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells 10 to 12 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
• In a bowl, blend the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey mustard, and dill. Season with salt and pepper.
• In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, sour cream mixture, crabmeat, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and green onions. Cover and chill until serving.

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD IN CREAMY CURRY DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large kettle of boiling salted water cook the pasta for 10 minutes, or until it is tender, refresh it in a colander under cold water, and drain it well. In a large bowl combine the pasta, the chicken, the tomatoes, the scallions, and the basil.
• Make the dressing:
• In a skillet cook the garlic and the gingerroot in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until the garlic is softened, add the cream, and cook the mixture, whisking, until it is thickened slightly. Whisk in the vinegar, the curry powder, the red pepper flakes, and the chutney.
• Add the dressing to the pasta mixture, tossing the salad to combine it well, and season the salad with salt and pepper.

CREAMY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

CREAMY SHRIMP PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Put shrimp in colander and run under cool water to defrost.
• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and run under cool water to stop cooking; drain again and place into large bowl.
• Add shrimp and all vegetables to the pasta and stir lightly to distribute colors evenly.
• In a separate medium-sized bowl, mix mayonnaise, spices and lemon juice. Whisk together to make a smooth dressing, and pour over pasta, shrimp and veggies.
• Stir gently to coat all ingredients, cover, and chill at least two hours.
• (If needed or wanted, a dollop or two more mayo may be added without changing other ingredients.).

GARDEN PASTA SALAD WITH CREAMY DILL DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix together salad ingredients in a large salad bowl.
• Mix together dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
• Pour dressing over salad, tossing to coat evenly.
• Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving.

CREAMY SHRIMP PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Strain and allow to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mascarpone, Dijon and 2 teaspoons salt. Add the pasta, shrimp, Parmesan, peas, peppers and fennel; toss to coat. Fold in the basil and dill. Serve at room temperature or cold.

CREAMY ROASTED VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven broiler.
• In a bowl, mix the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread the green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, mushrooms, and onion on a baking sheet. Pour the oil and vinegar mixture over the vegetables.
• Broil the vegetables 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly scorched. Remove from heat, and cool.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain, and rinse with cold water to cool.
• In a large bowl, toss the vegetables, pasta, and mayonnaise. Top with Parmesan cheese to serve.

CREAMY HERBED CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, basil, parsley, sour cream, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot; brush with the oil. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken, turning once, until well-marked and just cooked through, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Meanwhile, cook the broccoli in the boiling water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer the broccoli to a colander with a slotted spoon and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. Add the broccoli to the bowl with the dressing.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl.
• Add the chicken and red peppers to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

CREAMY CHICKEN AND PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
• Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, mayonnaise, 1/4 cup water, the vinegar, mustard, dill, chives and 2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl. Remove the skin from the chicken and shred the meat into large pieces. Add the chicken, celery and cucumber to the dressing and gently stir to combine.
• Shake the excess water from the pasta and add it to the chicken salad. Season with pepper and toss. Serve over the greens.

CREAMY VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place 1 in. of water in a small saucepan; add broccoli. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2-3 minutes; rinse in cold water and drain. In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, pasta, carrots, peas, ham, cheese and onions., In another bowl, combine the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

CREAMY HERBED CHICKEN AND ARUGULA PASTA SALAD WITH ASIAGO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, chives, sour cream, parsley, tarragon, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot; brush with the oil. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken, turning once, until well-marked and just cooked through, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl with the dressing.
• Add the chicken, arugula, Asiago and onion to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

CREAMY, CHEESY PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Gently toss all the salad ingredients together in a large bowl.
• Set aside.
• For the dressing, combine the mayonnaise and milk.
• Then add the sugar and vinegar.
• Stir well, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss gently to combine.
• Refrigerate at least 2 hours Overnight is even better.

KITTENCAL'S CREAMY GREEK-STYLE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cool the pasta in boiling water until al dente; drain then rinse well under cold water.
• Place the pasta in a large bowl.
• Add in cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, olives and cubed feta cheese; toss to combine.
• For the dressing; in a processor place the garlic clove and process until minced.
• Add in all the remaining ingredients except the mayonnaise;process until well blended (about 20-30 seconds) then add in the mayonnaise and process until combined.
• Pour over the salad ingredients in the bowl; toss to combine (if you prefer a creamier salad then add in more mayonnaise to taste).
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

CREAMY BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook rotini to desired doneness as directed on package.
• Drain; rinse with cold water until cool.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine sour cream, cheese, mayonnaise, milk and garlic; blend well.
• In large bowl, combine broccoli, tomatoes, carrot and basil.
• Add cooked rotini; mix well.
• Add sour cream mixture; toss gently to mix thoroughly.
• Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving time.

CREAMY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

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.

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD IN CREAMY CURRY DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the pasta, chicken, tomatoes, scallions, and basil. Set aside.
• In a skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Add the garlic and ginger and cook until the garlic is softened.
• Add the cream and cook the mixture, whisking until slightly thickened.
• Whisk in the vinegar, curry powder, red pepper flakes, and chutney.
• Add the dressing to the pasta mixture, tossing to combine well.
• Season with salt and pepper.

CREAMY PARMESAN PASTA SALAD WITH WHITE BEANS AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, Parmesan, sour cream, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; add to the bowl with the dressing.
• Add the cannellini beans, sun-dried tomatoes and celery to the bowl and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. The pasta salad is best if served right away.

CREAMY SHELL PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, broccoli, carrot, cheese, cucumber, celery, sunflower kernels and egg. , In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad and toss to coat.

CREAMY SALMON PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium pot over high heat. Add wine to the pot and allow half to cook off, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Cover the bottom of the pot with onion slices. Score the skin side of the salmon to prevent curling. Lay salmon on the onion slices, skin side up. Reduce heat to low and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), 10 to 12 minutes. Remove salmon from the pot and let cool.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, celery salt, paprika, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir well. Remove 1/2 of the dressing and refrigerate until serving.
• Drain macaroni and add to the bowl of dressing; turn to coat. Add celery, carrot, red pepper, peas, and green onions. Turn to coat. Remove skin from the salmon and cut into rough chunks. Add to the macaroni and stir gently. Chill for at least 2 hours.
• Add remaining dressing to the salad and toss. Taste and adjust salt, if necessary.