Three Cheese Pasta Salad
Indulge in the creamy, tangy, and irresistibly delicious flavors of our *Three Cheese Pasta Salad*, the perfect dish for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a satisfying weeknight meal. This vibrant salad brings together tender al dente pasta, a trio of cheeses—creamy mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and nutty Parmesan—and an array of fresh vegetables like juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and sweet red bell pepper. Tossed in a luscious homemade dressing featuring mayo, sour cream, olive oil, and a hint of red wine vinegar, this pasta salad is bursting with flavor in every bite. The addition of fresh basil elevates the dish with a fragrant herbal note, while a quick chill in the fridge allows all the ingredients to meld beautifully. Easy to prepare in just 25 minutes and perfect served cold, this recipe will be your new go-to for crowd-pleasing comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz short pasta (e.g., rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (cubed)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup cucumber (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, mozzarella cubes, shredded cheddar, grated parmesan, cherry tomato halves, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, and chopped basil.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, gently toss the pasta salad again, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3671 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 262.2 g | 336% | |
| Saturated Fat | 103.5 g | 518% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 561 mg | 187% | |
| Sodium | 6977 mg | 303% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 179.9 g | 65% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.0 g | 46% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.9 g | ||
| Protein | 154.2 g | 308% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.9 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 4138 mg | 318% | |
| Iron | 8.8 mg | 49% | |
| Potassium | 1793 mg | 38% | |
*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.
