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Creamy Loaded Pasta Salad for Two

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A quick and easy creamy pasta salad perfectly portioned for two, combining fresh veggies, sharp cheddar, and a tangy homemade dressing for a satisfying small-batch meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (about 100g) rotini or shell pasta
  • ½ cup (50g) sharp cheddar, cubed
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup black olives, sliced
  • ¼ cup cucumber, diced
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: Pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 cup (100g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually around 8–10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sour cream, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust acidity or sweetness if needed.
  4. While the pasta is cooking, halve ½ cup cherry tomatoes, slice ¼ cup black olives, dice ¼ cup cucumber, and cube ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese.
  5. Add the cooled pasta, chopped veggies, and cheese to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly. If using, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley and a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes.
  6. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for 20–30 minutes to let flavors meld and the salad firm up a bit. If chilling, cover with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container.

Notes

Rinsing pasta under cold water after boiling prevents mushiness. Whisk honey and mustard with vinegar before adding mayo and sour cream to avoid clumps. Adjust dressing acidity and sweetness to taste. Chop veggies uniformly for balanced texture. Salad can be served immediately or chilled for better flavor melding. Leftovers keep up to 2 days refrigerated.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, small batch recipe, easy dinner for two, quick pasta salad, loaded pasta salad

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/creamy-loaded-pasta-salad-for-two-easy-small-batch-recipe/