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Creamy Summer Pasta Salad: A Delicious, Fresh, and Flavorful Side Dish

This Creamy Summer Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish perfect for any summer gathering. It combines pasta with fresh vegetables and a creamy dressing for a delightful taste.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Salad
  • 8 ounces rigatoni pasta or your favorite pasta shape
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
  • 0.5 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup bell pepper diced
  • 0.5 cup frozen peas thawed
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
Dressing
  • 0.25 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.25 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 0.5 cup crispy turkey bacon bits optional

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta, drain, and cool.
  2. Chop vegetables and thaw peas. Cook and chop turkey bacon if using.
  3. Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
  4. Add cooled pasta, vegetables, and cheese (if using) to a bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss.
  5. Add turkey bacon bits if using and toss.
  6. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, then serve chilled.

Notes

For a vegetarian option, omit the turkey bacon.