Creamy Picnic Style Pasta Salad (Pink Cadillac Salad)
Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad is a creamy, tangy, and vibrant pasta salad that perfectly balances bold flavors with crisp vegetables. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or lunch, this salad stays fresh and flavorful with its rich dressing made of mayonnaise, sour cream, and a hint of Dijon mustard and vinegar, combined with colorful diced vegetables and perfectly cooked cavatappi pasta.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling and Tossing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/2 cup finely diced carrot
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the cavatappi pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water immediately to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Chill completely before using.
- Make Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Toss Pasta: Toss the chilled pasta with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to add extra tanginess and prevent the pasta from absorbing too much dressing and becoming soggy.
- Mix Dressing with Pasta: Add two-thirds of the prepared dressing to the pasta and gently mix to evenly coat all the noodles. Let the pasta rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Add Vegetables: Fold in the diced red bell pepper, celery, red onion, and carrot carefully, mixing just enough to combine without bruising the vegetables.
- Adjust Creaminess: Add the remaining dressing to the pasta salad to reach your desired creaminess. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or vinegar if needed.
- Chill Salad: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 2 to 4 hours, or overnight, to develop deeper flavor and ensure it is well chilled before serving.
- Serve: Stir the salad before serving to redistribute dressing and vegetables. Optionally garnish with a sprinkle of paprika or fresh herbs for color and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure to cool the pasta fully before adding the dressing to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- Reserve some dressing to refresh the salad just before serving, especially if prepared well in advance.
- Greek yogurt is a good substitute for sour cream; opt for full-fat Greek yogurt for best texture and creaminess.