Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad – Creamy, Tangy, and Picnic-Perfect
Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad is a delightful blend of creamy and tangy flavors that makes it an ideal dish for picnics, potlucks, or casual lunches. With vibrant vegetables like red bell peppers, celery, and carrots mixed into tender cavatappi pasta, this salad is not only visually appealing but also packed with nutritious goodness. The smooth dressing made from mayonnaise and sour cream adds a rich texture while a hint of vinegar brings brightness to the dish. Best of all, this pasta salad can be prepared in just 30 minutes and tastes even better after chilling. Perfect as a side dish or a light meal on its own, Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad will surely impress your guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves about 8 people 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- 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.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Toss the chilled pasta with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice.
- Add two-thirds of the dressing to the pasta and mix gently.
- Fold in the diced vegetables until combined.
- Adjust the creaminess by adding more dressing as desired.
- Chill for at least 2–4 hours before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 230g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg