Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad – Creamy, Tangy, and Picnic-Perfect
Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad – Creamy, Tangy, and Picnic-Perfect is the ultimate dish for any gathering. This vibrant pasta salad combines cavatappi pasta with a luscious dressing made from mayonnaise and sour cream, perfectly balanced by tangy vinegar and Dijon mustard. Loaded with fresh vegetables like red bell pepper, celery, and carrot, each bite bursts with flavor and texture. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, this salad can be made ahead of time—ideal for picnics, potlucks, or casual lunches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta
- 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
- 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 the cavatappi pasta in salted water until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water. Chill completely.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Toss the cooled pasta with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice.
- Add two-thirds of the dressing to the pasta and mix gently; let rest for 10–15 minutes.
- Fold in the vegetables until well combined.
- Adjust creaminess with remaining dressing; taste and season if necessary.
- Refrigerate for at least 2–4 hours before serving or overnight for enhanced flavor.
- Stir before serving and garnish with paprika or fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg