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Light and slightly tangy creamy pasta salad, with just enough dressing to coat the noodles and vegetables, this is one heck of an awesome summer pasta salad.
Perfect on its own for a light meal or as a side dish for all the summer potlucks and barbecues. Homemade pasta salad is better than any deli salad you can buy at the store.
A few years ago, while visiting my aunt and uncle, we were fortunate enough to arrive around dinnertime. (My aunt is a fabulous cook, so I tend to time my arrivals that way. You know, accidentally on purpose?)
Speaking of Aunt Judy’s amazing foods, have you tried her Almond Bars yet? Put them on your holiday baking list right now.
Her pasta salad was so simple and so delicious, I had to recreate it for my family as soon as I got back home. Thanks once again for the inspiration, Aunt Judy.
Summer Pasta Salad
This salad is filled with broccoli, cucumber, red pepper, black olives, and green onions. I am a big fan of pasta dishes that have a high ratio of vegetables to pasta, so don’t hesitate to add more or switch things up with your favorite vegetables.
Adding extra vegetables to a pasta salad is about more than just making it a little bit healthier. Vegetables add different flavors, textures, and colors to recipes like this one. This salad is about 50/50 pasta and vegetables and I often make it with more vegetables than are actually in the recipe.
Everything gets tossed in a light tangy dressing and the result is a fresh pasta salad that disappears quite literally almost as quickly as I can stir it together.
Recipes like this Asian Pasta Salad and this Summer Couscous Salad are a couple more that thrill my vegetable-loving heart.
Cooking the broccoli just long enough to brighten the color and soften the crunch gives this salad a little something extra. (So, I highly recommend that you don’t skip that step.)
That said, if you love the crunch of raw broccoli in salads, go ahead and make it however you like best. I’ve fallen in love with broccoli salads recently (FYI, this Cranberry Broccoli Bacon Salad is FANTASTIC!), so I get it if that’s your preference.
For this particular salad though, I still like to soften the broccoli a tiny bit, as instructed in the recipe below.
Pasta Salad Dressing
The dressing for this pasta salad is creamy, slightly tangy, a little bit sweet, and provides the perfect light complement to this salad.
As simple as it is, it’s absolutely perfect. A scoop of mayonnaise, a splash of vinegar, a sprinkling of salt, pepper, and sugar add up to a terrific pasta salad dressing that everyone enjoys.
If you haven’t tried the salad yet, I hope that you’ll love it every bit as much as we do. Every time I make this salad, I stash containers of it in the fridge for my lunches all week.
Creamy Pasta Salad
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:
Salad Ingredients
- salad macaroni or ditalini pasta
- tiny broccoli florets
- diced cucumber
- finely diced red pepper
- sliced black olives
- very thinly sliced green onion
Dressing Ingredients
- mayonnaise
- white wine or plain vinegar
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- sugar
Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe
- In a large pot, cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, adding a generous tablespoon or so of kosher salt to the water as it cooks.
- Just before the noodles are done cooking, add the broccoli to the pot. Let the broccoli boil for about 30 seconds and then drain everything into a large strainer. Rinse well with cold water.
- Stir together the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the bowl and stir well to coat.
- Add the cucumber, pepper, olives, and onions and stir again.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir again just before serving.
If you forget to toss the broccoli in the boiling water at the end of the pasta’s cooking time, you can also steam it in the microwave. Place the broccoli in a glass bowl along with a tablespoon of water. Microwave for 60-90 seconds, until the broccoli is bright green and barely softened.
Pasta Salad Recipes
If you love pasta salad for easy meals all year round, you’ll want to try this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad and the Italian Artichoke and Tomato Pasta Salad after you’ve finished the last bite of this Creamy Pasta Salad.
Many of you are still going crazy over the Spinach Pasta Salad I shared so many years ago. I make that one on repeat all year long.
Crisp bacon and lettuce, tart tomatoes, creamy hard-boiled eggs, and jalapenos combine to create this creamy, slightly spicy Jalapeno BLT Pasta Salad.
The Tangy Italian Pasta Salad is another popular one. I have this Greek Pasta Salad on my list to try soon too. You just can’t have too many great pasta salads at your fingertips, right?
Savory chunks of chicken mingle with sweet grapes, crunchy walnuts, and crisp apples in this easy Chicken Waldorf Salad. This is a lunch you will put on repeat!
Creamy Summer Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 8 ounces salad macaroni or ditalini pasta
- 1 cup tiny broccoli florets
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup finely diced red pepper
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup very thinly sliced green onion
Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons white wine or plain vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, adding a generous tablespoon or so of kosher salt to the water as it cooks. Just before the noodles are done cooking, add the broccoli to the pot. Let the broccoli boil for about 30 seconds and then drain everything into a large colander. Rinse well with cold water.
- Stir together the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the bowl and stir well to coat.
- Add the cucumber, pepper, olives, and onions and stir again. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir again just before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
(originally published 6/6/14 – recipe notes and photos updated 3/22/23}
thank you! I like it!
My clients and I love this salad! It has a nostalgic look and taste, and pairs perfectly with anything from sandwiches and burgers to baked or grilled chicken. I can easily omit items some will not eat (such as olives). I always make a double batch of the dressing; sometimes the seems a little dry otherwise. Definitely a repeater on a lot of menus. (I am a personal chef who cooks for multiple families.)
I am thrilled that you like the pasta salad so much, Martha!
So good. I used small elbow macaroni. The dressing is yummy. Followed recipe to a tee.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, Kat!
I was looking for a really good pasta salad not using a vinegerette type dressing!! I was also looking for something with more veggies. Love this recipe!!!! It is amazing and will make it again and again!!!
I’m thrilled that you like the pasta, Ann!
Love this salad….I added roasted sweet peppers, kale ,and green olives….mmmm
I bet those were delicious additions, Cher!
This is honestly is the best pasta salad I have had. My husband made it a couple weeks ago, but he didn’t save the recipe. I hounded him to look for it again. So happy to have found it! Thanks so much. This is a keeper!
I am so happy to hear that you like the salad so much, Rachel!
Absolutely delicious! My family and friends love this!
I am so happy that you’re enjoying this pasta salad!
I added salami and mozzarella balls as well as peas for color. Sort of Italian style! The dressing is good and makes a good dressing for cucumber salad or broccoli salad but add more vinegar for a more tangy flavor. This recipe a good base for creativity!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the recipe, Beverly!
Loved this I added a dijon mustard, and pickle juice with the dressing omg. Made the pasta with a fun pasta, Bow ties! 2 cups instead of 1 cup of elbow or ditalini
Thank you
For this recipe
Cheers,Rosalind
Your variations sound delicious, Rosalind!
This best pasta salad EVER! It’s not heavy like a traditional pasta salad and I appreciate the vegetable additions. Big hit at potlucks! Thank you so much for this refreshing delicious recipe!
I’m so happy that you are enjoying the salad, Sherri!
Is there a printable version of this recipe? This is a favorite of our family, THANK YOU!!
There sure it. Just click the print button in the recipe card, Judith. Enjoy!
OF COURSE!!! You are efficient that way. I am making this for our family tomorrow, along with fresh peach pies & home made vanilla ice cream. By the way, my granddaughter, almost 16 asks frequently for me to make this salad!!!
Enjoy the pasta salad, Judith!
Is it ok to make this a day ahead? Im going to make it for 100 people and want to make sure its not last minute. Plus, do u think I can use ranch in it(want to get back up groceries in case I run put of mayo 🙂 ). Thank you!
Yes, this can be made a day in advance, Anamika. I haven’t tried using ranch in it myself, but that should work.
It’s so creamy and delish! It’s also a great noodle to eat in the summer cause it’s nice and cold. I just ador it! And am so happy to be part of this cooking thingy and that i can look this stinkin’ thing up cuase its soooooooooooo good!
I’m so glad that you love the salad!
Love this pasta salad, have made it at least 5 times and turns out perfect each time. Love all your recipes, bought your cookbook and signed up for your newsletter. Keep up the delish recipes, much appreciated!
I’m so very happy to hear that you’re enjoying the recipes, Kat!
This is the best pasta salad! I make it once per week in the summer and am making it for the third time this winter. I am not a fan of the Italian dressing pasta salad and this is so delicious, I have made several of your recipes and your tastes are so in line with mine! Delicious, easy and appreciated by others. I also purchased your cookbook and signed up for your newsletter. Keep the recipes coming!
Excell!!!!! Perfect timing finding this recipe before summer…….thank you.
I’m thrilled that you like the salad, Patricia!
This was definitely the best creamy pasta salad ever, omg!! So amazing!!
I’m so happy that you love it, Jeanette!
Is there something I can use instead of vinegar?
Lemon juice will also work, Suzane.
Delicious !! Made this for lunch today because it was really hot and it didn’t disappoint!! I also had some veggie bacon which I threw in and it tasted great 🙂
I’m so glad that you loved it, Anna! I made it again last week too.
This is the best healthy pasta salad I make for summer side. I put extra veggies in it for the family. The dressing is perfec! We love it! Thank you sooooo much for posting!
You are welcome, Darlene. I’m glad you and the family enjoyed it.
Excellent!!!!! Perfect timing finding this recipe before summer…….thank you.
I’m glad you like the salad!