Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
A four ingredient pasta salad recipe that is kid-friendly and loaded with flavor. The creamy dressing is a blend of store bought salad dressings that tastes just like Alfredo sauce. Such an easy pasta side dish for your favorite chicken, beef or pork!
Servings 8
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
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.
