Cajun Pasta Salad
Bursting with vibrant flavors and colors, this Cajun Pasta Salad is a zesty twist on the classic pasta salad, perfect for picnics, barbecues, or weeknight dinners. Featuring tender penne pasta, crisp bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and a creamy Cajun-spiced dressing, this dish packs a punch of bold, smoky-sweet flavor in every bite. The tangy combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar ensures a luscious dressing that clings perfectly to the pasta and veggies. With its quick 15-minute prep time and an hour of chilling to let the flavors meld, this Cajun Pasta Salad is an easy make-ahead recipe that's as delightful to eat as it is to make. Serve it chilled, garnished with fresh parsley, for a refreshing side dish or a crowd-pleasing main course.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 1 whole Red bell pepper
- 1 whole Green bell pepper
- 0.5 whole Red onion
- 2 whole Celery stalks
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup Sweet corn kernels (canned or fresh)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
- 0.5 cup Sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
- 3 whole Green onions (scallions)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped)
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool completely.
While the pasta cools, dice the red and green bell peppers, red onion, and celery into small, bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Set all vegetables aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and Cajun seasoning until smooth and creamy.
Add the cooled pasta to the mixing bowl with the dressing. Toss to coat the pasta evenly.
Gently fold in the diced vegetables, cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and green onions. Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed and coated in the dressing.
Season the salad with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning or Cajun spice level as desired.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, sprinkle the top with freshly chopped parsley for garnish.
Serve chilled as a side dish or main course, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
322 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.5 g | 26% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.1 g | 25% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 17 mg | 6% | |
| Sodium | 484 mg | 21% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.9 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.2 g | ||
| Protein | 6.0 g | 12% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 56 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% | |
| Potassium | 348 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
