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  5. 10 Creamy Pasta Salad Recipes

10 Creamy Pasta Salad Recipes

Alex Loh
Alex Loh Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD June 20, 2020
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
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These creamy pasta salad recipes are the perfect addition to any picnic or potluck. We use a combination of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or avocado to create a creamy dressing for these pasta salads. Recipes like Pesto Pasta Salad and Macaroni Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing are delicious, bold and a great side dish.

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Macaroni Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

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Give classic pasta salad a fresher, more flavorful spin. This fast pasta dish calls for avocado to replace some of the mayonnaise, which makes it extra creamy. Whole-wheat elbow macaroni and fresh vegetables lighten up this healthy pasta salad that you'll be making all summer long. Source: EatingWell.com, May 2018

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Pesto Pasta Salad

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A creamy pesto sauce turns this simple pasta salad into a delightful dinner. Adding broccoli to the pasta cooking water just before the pasta is done is a convenient way to briefly cook it so that it turns a vivid shade of green and softens slightly. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2018

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Mexican Pasta Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

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Everyone will love this Mexican-inspired pasta salad recipe. We lighten up the creamy dressing with avocado for a healthier version of a picnic favorite.

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Cucumber Pasta Salad

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This light and tangy cucumber pasta salad is fresh and bright. The orecchiette pasta holds the dressing for flavor in every bite, but you can use another small pasta shape if you like. This easy salad is perfect for a warm day or to serve as a lunch dish for company! For a fruitier flavor, try apple-cider vinegar in place of white distilled vinegar. Source: EatingWell.com, April 2020

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Broccoli, Ham & Pasta Salad

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A great make-ahead entree, this lightened-up pasta salad is loaded with broccoli and peppers. Smoky ham and sweet raisins give it plenty of punch. Enjoy the leftovers for a fuss-free lunch. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2010

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Vegan Macaroni Salad

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You don't have to be vegan to enjoy this vegan macaroni salad! The colorful array of veggies give it texture and flavor and help make it lighter than traditional pasta salads. It's perfect to bring along to your next picnic or potluck. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2020

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Pasta, Tuna & Roasted Pepper Salad

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The secret to this delicious pasta salad is a creamy low-fat dressing made with bottled roasted red peppers. If you have cooked chicken on hand, you can substitute it for the tuna. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 1998

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Southern Macaroni Salad

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Bring this quintessential Southern macaroni salad, made with whole-wheat macaroni, celery, peas and ham, to your next picnic or barbecue. It's the perfect salad to feed a crowd! Source: EatingWell.com, April 2020

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Mediterranean Broccoli Pasta Salad

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We've loaded this healthy pasta salad with vegetables and flavors of the Mediterranean. Sun-dried tomatoes and a touch of lemon zest jazz up the dressing, while tender-crisp broccoli florets cook alongside the pasta, making assembly (and cleanup!) a breeze. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2020

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Curried Chicken & Pasta Salad

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This crowd-pleasing pasta salad is potluck-perfect for barbecue season. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 1995

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    1 of 10 Macaroni Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
    2 of 10 Pesto Pasta Salad
    3 of 10 Mexican Pasta Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
    4 of 10 Cucumber Pasta Salad
    5 of 10 Broccoli, Ham & Pasta Salad
    6 of 10 Vegan Macaroni Salad
    7 of 10 Pasta, Tuna & Roasted Pepper Salad
    8 of 10 Southern Macaroni Salad
    9 of 10 Mediterranean Broccoli Pasta Salad
    10 of 10 Curried Chicken & Pasta Salad

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