This Creamy Italian Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleasing dish that’s as colorful as it is delicious. With tender tri-color rotini, fresh cherry tomatoes, and a creamy herb-infused dressing, it’s perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or as a light main course. This recipe comes together in a breeze and bursts with the flavors of Italian-inspired herbs and tangy Parmesan.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup green onions, diced
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a generous pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tri-color rotini and cook until just tender, following the package directions. Once done, drain and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, and green onions. Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta and gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Let It Rest: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour to let the flavors combine. Just before serving, give it a quick stir and taste, adjusting the seasoning as needed.
Conclusion:
This Creamy Italian Pasta Salad is a delightful fusion of textures and flavors, perfect for any occasion. The herbaceous dressing complements the freshness of the cherry tomatoes and the satisfying bite of Parmesan. It’s sure to become a go-to recipe for gatherings or simple family meals.
Creamy Italian Pasta Salad: A Vibrant Twist on a Classic
Acreamy and herb-infused pasta salad featuring tri-color rotini, cherrytomatoes, and Parmesan, perfect for gatherings or everyday meals.
- 1 pound tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup green onions (diced)
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a generous pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tri-color rotini and cook until just tender, following the package directions. Once done, drain and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, and green onions. Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta and gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Let It Rest: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour to let the flavors combine. Just before serving, give it a quick stir and taste, adjusting the seasoning as needed.