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The Best Creamy Pasta Salad

The best creamy pasta salad is ultra-creamy and loaded with vegetables, ham, and cheddar in a tangy dressing. Elbow macaroni is cooked, cooled, tossed with the creamy mixture, then chilled for a classic potluck-ready texture.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
chilling 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Elbow macaroni
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
Creamy tangy dressing
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 0.25 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta salad mix-ins
  • 1 cup ham, diced
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 0.5 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 0.25 cup red onion, finely diced

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Cook and cool the pasta
  1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions until tender, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
Make the creamy dressing
  1. Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper until smooth.
Assemble the salad
  1. Combine the cooled pasta, diced ham, cubed cheddar, thawed peas, diced celery, diced red bell pepper, and finely diced red onion in a large bowl.
Coat and chill
  1. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated for a thick, creamy texture.
Rest and finish
  1. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld and the pasta absorb the dressing.
Serve
  1. Stir before serving and add a splash of milk if needed to loosen the dressing to your preferred consistency.

Notes

Pro tip: Rinse the pasta with cold water so it stays firm and doesn’t turn gummy once chilled. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; the flavor improves after a few hours. Freezing is not recommended because the creamy dressing can break. For a lighter option, swap half the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt for a tangier but still creamy dressing.