Description

This Supreme Deli-Style Pasta Salad is a creamy, flavorful side dish perfect for summer picnics or casual meals. Featuring rotini pasta tossed with a tangy mayonnaise and sour cream dressing, crisp bell peppers, celery, red onion, cheddar cheese, black olives, and optional cooked ham or turkey, this salad offers a delightful crunch and balanced taste. Refrigerated before serving, it melds all the flavors beautifully, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing recipe.

Ingredients

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Salad

3 cups rotini or shell pasta, cooked and drained
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup diced cooked ham or turkey (optional)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Cook the rotini or shell pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down completely, preventing it from becoming mushy and helping the salad stay fresh.
Prepare Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined, forming a creamy and tangy dressing base.
Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Then, add diced red and green bell peppers, celery, red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced black olives, and diced cooked ham or turkey if using. Toss all ingredients gently until the pasta is fully coated with the dressing and the veggies and cheese are evenly distributed.
Chill and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the salad and give it one final gentle toss. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to marry. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or a light main course.

Notes

For a lighter option, substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream and use reduced-fat mayonnaise.
You can customize this salad by adding other mix-ins like diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or cooked peas for extra color and flavor.
This pasta salad tastes best when made a few hours ahead of serving to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.
Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Skip the ham or turkey to make it vegetarian-friendly.