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Classic Pasta Salad is an easy make-ahead side dish made with pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese, and a homemade dressing. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and summer gatherings.
If there’s one side dish I make on repeat during the warmer months, it’s this Classic Pasta Salad. It’s simple, colorful, and made with everyday ingredients that come together into a side dish everyone loves.
This is the kind of recipe I bring to cookouts, potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday celebrations because it’s easy to make ahead and always disappears fast. The combination of pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese, and a homemade dressing is simple but always a crowd favorite.
Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ, packing a picnic, or just need an easy side dish for dinner, this Classic Pasta Salad is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals
One of the best things about this classic pasta salad is that it tastes even better after it has had time to chill. The flavors blend together beautifully, making it the perfect side dish to prepare ahead of parties, cookouts, and family dinners.
Made with Simple, Fresh Ingredients
This recipe uses everyday ingredients like pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese, and the dressing. Nothing complicated, just simple ingredients that come together for a delicious side dish.
Easy to Customize
You can easily adjust this pasta salad to fit your family’s preferences. Add extra vegetables, switch up the cheese, or toss in your favorite protein to make it a meal.
Ingredient Notes:
- Pasta – I used penne for this recipe, but you can use any kind of noodles you like.
- Small White Onion – diced into small pieces.
- Green Bell Pepper – seeded and diced.
- Yellow Bell Pepper – seeded and diced.
- Celery – diced small.
- Mayonnaise
- Sugar
- Vinegar
- Yellow Mustard
- Salt and Pepper – to taste.
- Cheddar Cheese – Cubed cheddar adds flavor and texture while making the salad a little more filling.
Directions:
Step One – Cook pasta according to package direction. Drain and set aside to cool.
Step Two – Add noodles to a large mixing bowl with onion, bell peppers, and celery.
Step Three – In a separate mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, and yellow mustard until well combined and smooth. Season your dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
Step Four – Pour your mayo dressing into the large mixing bowl and toss until coated. Add cubed cheese and toss again.
Step Five – Allow to chill for 2-3 hours in the fridge then serve.
Tips for Best Results
- Cook pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t become soft after chilling.
- Rinse pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Chill before serving for the best flavor.
- Reserve a little extra dressing to stir in before serving if needed.
- Cut vegetables into bite-sized pieces for easier serving.
FAQs
Can I make pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it’s even better after chilling for a few hours because the flavors have time to blend together.
What is the best pasta for pasta salad?
Rotini, bowtie, and penne are all excellent choices because they hold dressing well.
How do I keep pasta salad from drying out?
Reserve a little extra dressing and stir it in just before serving.
How long does pasta salad last in the refrigerator?
Stored properly, pasta salad will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Can I add meat to pasta salad?
Absolutely. Pepperoni, ham, grilled chicken, and salami are all great additions.
Try some of my other favorite Pasta Salads:
Pickle Pasta Salad – Pickle Pasta Salad is a creamy, tangy pasta salad made with dill pickles, cheese, and simple ingredients. The perfect easy side dish for BBQs, potlucks, and summer dinners.
Taco Pasta Salad – Seasoned with taco seasonings this Taco Pasta Salad is the perfect summertime side dish. It’s filled with green onions, bell peppers, corn, Mexican shredded cheese, and completely delicious!
Italian Pasta Salad – This Italian Pasta Salad is an amazing replacement for a simple lunchtime Italian Sub. You will love this hearty lunch salad, and anyone seeing you eat this will be jealous!
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Classic Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz pasta, (I used penne)
- 1 small white onion, (diced)
- 1 large green bell pepper, (seeded and diced)
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, (seeded and diced)
- 2 ribs celery, (diced)
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- salt and pepper , (to taste)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, (cubed)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package direction. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Add noodles to a large mixing bowl with onion, bell peppers, and celery.
- In a separate mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, and yellow mustard until well combined and smooth. Season your dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour your mayo dressing into the large mixing bowl and toss until coated. Add cubed cheese and toss again.
- Allow to chill for 2-3 hours in the fridge then serve.
