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Creamy Classic Macaroni Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

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This creamy classic macaroni pasta salad with Italian dressing is the one people hover around at the barbecue. It’s perfectly creamy without being heavy, with bold tangy flavor from a homemade Italian dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous tablespoon of salt. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes.
  2. Drain and Cool: Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water. Spread the pasta out on a baking sheet in a single layer to cool completely, about 10-15 minutes.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, basil, thyme, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk until smooth or shake well. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Prep the Vegetables: Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely dice the red onion, slice the olives, dice the green bell pepper, and chop the parsley.
  5. First Toss: Once the pasta is completely cool, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Pour about 1/3 of the dressing over the pasta and toss well. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
  6. Add the Vegetables and Cheese: Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, green bell pepper, parsley, and shredded parmesan cheese to the bowl. Pour the remaining dressing over everything.
  7. Mix Gently: Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold everything together until the dressing evenly coats the pasta and vegetables. Be careful not to overmix.
  8. Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. The flavors will meld and the salad will taste even better the next day.

Notes

Season the pasta water generously. Cool the pasta completely before adding dressing to avoid sogginess. For best results, chill at least 1 hour before serving. To refresh leftovers, add a splash of milk, a dollop of mayonnaise, or extra dressing.

Nutrition

Keywords: macaroni pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, Italian dressing pasta salad, classic pasta salad, summer side dish, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/creamy-classic-macaroni-pasta-salad-with-italian-dressing-recipe/