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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Pasta » Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

    October 29, 2021

    Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

    5 from 2 votes

    Leave a comment

    Oct 29, 2021

    by Lori Murphy

    Jump to Recipe

    This four ingredient Creamy Italian Pasta Salad is the quickest way to pasta salad heaven. A super easy creamy Italian dressing gives this pasta salad the Alfredo touch.

    large white serving bowl of creamy bowtie pasta topped with broccolini and red chiles.

    This is not going to be one of those super long recipe posts telling you a story about how this Creamy Italian Pasta Salad came from a wonderful aunt (it did) who was a great hostess (she was) and it changed my life forever (it just might have). If you are a fan of a Fettuccine Alfredo sauce like my homemade Butter and Cream Sauce recipe, you're going to especially like this pasta salad dressing.

    I mean really, really like it... especially when you find out how darn easy it is!

    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Additional Topping Ideas
    • FAQ's
    • Helpful Tips
    • Serving & Storage
    • Before you go....
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why this recipe

    black plate of pasta, broccolini, Calabrian chiles on a white and black pinstriped napkin.

    Three words.

    Three ingredient pasta salad dressing.

    Yup. Three.

    And it's got other wonderful qualities:

    Bold flavor. This isn't one of your oily-no-flavor pasta salad recipes. The creamy italian dressing recipe coats any curly pasta or makes a mean fettuccine alfredo pasta salad. And did I tell you it only has 3 ingredients? 🤗

    Perfect side dish recipe. Your holiday ham or beef tenderloin would love to have a big scoop of this pasta salad alongside it!

    Unique ingredients. A few little accessories like salty sunflower seeds, some broccolini and a burst of Calabrian peppers totally seal the deal.

    Speaking of ingredients...read on to see what you'll need.

    Ingredients

    Don't be thrown off by the pretty picture...the ingredient list for this dreamy, creamy pasta salad is pretty straightforward.

    ingredients to make bowtie pasta salad including broccolini, bottles of salad dressing and wedge of parmesan.
    • Marie's Creamy Italian Garlic dressing. Local Chi-town friends can find it at Jewel-Osco.
    • Paul Newman's Classic Oil and Vinegar Dressing. You can substitute any Italian dressing that's your favorite...or you can check out my Salad Dressing Guide and make one of mine!
    • Fresh grated parmesan cheese. You know how I feel about fresh grated parm. It's a must. But...the green can is acceptable here if that's all you have!

    Simple pasta salad ingredients

    They might be simple but they pack a punch of flavor and texture!

    • Calabrian chiles. Chopped and sprinkled over for a pop of color and heat.
    • Broccolini. A little green never hurt, right?
    • Sunflower seeds. Every pasta creamy pasta salad needs sprinkle of crunch!

    Instructions

    white colander of cooked bowtie pasta and steamer of broccolini and bowls of creamy dressing, chiles and sunflower seeds.

    To make this easy four ingredient pasta salad recipe, you'll start with some cooked pasta. My favorites are

    • farfalle (as shown)
    • fettuccine or bucatini
    • cavatappi, rotini, or fusilli
    • tortellini

    Make the creamy Italian dressing

    three steps to whisking salad dressing in a white bowl.

    This is a super kid-friendly pasta recipe because mixing up this dressing is as easy as opening a couple of containers and pouring dressing in a bowl!

    Mix the two dressings together in a large measuring cup or bowl (1). Stir in the grated parmesan (2).

    Voila! You just made the dressing!

    Prep the veggies

    Steam some broccolini and open a jar of canned calabrian chiles.

    Done!

    Mix up the pasta salad

    steps to add cream sauce to cooked pasta in a big stockpot.

    Pour the dressing over the cooked and drained pasta (3).

    Mix with a wooden spoon until the pasta is well-coated with the dressing (4).



    TIP

    If making ahead, reserve a little salad dressing for tossing with the pasta salad right before serving.

    -Josie + Nina


    Additional Topping Ideas

    Think of this creamy pasta salad as a room temperature version of Fettuccine Alfredo. So you can accessorize it however you like!

    Some ideas:

    • Cooked Chicken or Beef - Add some of my Foolproof Chicken sliced up for a complete and easy dinner recipe.
    • Roasted red peppers and garlic - A little homemade roasted garlic and some red peppers add even more Italian flavor.
    • Caramelized onions and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

    FAQ's

    black plate of creamy bowtie pasta with a fork stabbing a noodle.
    I can't find the Creamy Italian Garlic Dressing! Any ideas?

    No worries! Any store-bought Caesar salad dressing would work. Marie's is just the one my aunt used and we love the flavor!

    Can I substitute a different cheese for the parmesan?

    Sure - asiago, fontinella, sharp provolone all would work. You want a crumbly cheese that can be grated into small...well, crumbs!

    How long can I store pasta salad in the fridge?

    Up to 5 days is about as long as we've had it. But to be honest...it's never lasts that long because there aren't usually many leftovers!

    Can you eat this dressing right over hot/warm pasta?

    Try and stop yourself! It's so good that way and one I highly endorse. Call it a cheater fettuccine alfredo recipe!

    Helpful Tips

    To easily steam the broccolini, use a steamer over a couple of inches of lightly boiling water and steam for about 7-8 minutes until tender and bright green. Don't over do it - there's nothing worse than overcooked broccoli!

    Serving & Storage

    Make ahead

    Mix the dressing up the day before. Cook the pasta up then too. Mix them all together the day you plan to serve it. Save a little dressing to toss with the pasta right before serving as the pasta absorbs a lot of dressing when made ahead.

    Don't add the toppings until right before serving.

    Storage/ Reheat

    Store in a covered container for up to five days in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before serving. Don't freeze.

    Before you go....

    If you try out this recipe, please give it a star rating or comment below. We love to hear any feedback or suggestions. And if you want to make sure not to miss an email, sign up for our newsletter! There's always room at our table!

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    📖 Recipe

    large white serving bowl of creamy bowtie pasta topped with broccolini and red chiles.
    5 from 2 votes

    Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

    Print RATE PIN
    A four ingredient pasta salad recipe that is kid-friendly and loaded with flavor. Whether eaten warm or cold, a great side dish for your favorite chicken, beef or pork.
    Prep Time:5 mins
    Cook Time:20 mins
    Total Time:25 mins
    Servings 8
    Share by Email

    Equipment

    • steamer, optional

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 lb cavatappi, fettuccine, rotini or your favorite curly pasta
    • 1 cup Marie's Creamy Italian Garlic Salad Dressing
    • ½ cup Paul Newmans' Classic Oil and Vinegar Dressing
    • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
    • 1-2 small heads broccolini
    • 2 Tablespoons chopped Calabrian chiles
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Don't overcook!
    • In a medium bowl, mix the dressing ingredients together including the parmesan.
    • While the pasta is cooking, steam some broccolini until bright green and tender, about 7-8 minutes.
    • Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside to cool.
    • Toss the dressing with the pasta. If the pasta is still warm when you mix it with the dressing, reserve a little dressing for tossing with right before serving if you aren't eating right away.
    • Garnish with the steamed broccolini, a generous sprinkling of sunflower seeds, and some chopped Calabrian chiles.

    Notes

    Make ahead. Mix the dressing up the day before. Cook the pasta up then too. Mix them all together the day you plan to serve it. Save a little dressing to toss with the pasta right before serving as the pasta absorbs a lot of dressing when made ahead.
    Storage/Reheat. Store in a covered container for up to five days in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before serving. Don't freeze. 
     
    Course: Main Course, Pasta, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
    Author: Lori Murphy
    Did you make this recipe? Tag @josieandnina or tag #josieandnina!
    woman in a red shirt cutting pizza smiling.

    About Lori Murphy

    Lori has over 30 years in the food industry as a marketing strategist, culinary instructor and chef for three kids with discerning palates. As the chief content creator at Josie + Nina, Lori is dedicated to helping home cooks create food memories through fresh ingredients and Italian flavors.

    Read more
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