Cheddar and Sour Cream Pasta Salad

Creamy, flavorful, and packed with colorful vegetables, this Cheddar & Sour Cream Pasta Salad is a simple side dish that’s perfect for gatherings, barbecues, picnics, potlucks, or everyday family meals. Cooked pasta is coated in a rich sour cream and mayonnaise dressing, then mixed with sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy celery, crisp bell pepper, and fresh red onion. After chilling, the flavors come together beautifully for a refreshing and satisfying salad.

🛒 Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount
Pasta of your choice	8 ounces
Shredded cheddar cheese	1 cup
Sour cream	½ cup
Mayonnaise	¼ cup
Finely chopped red onion	¼ cup
Diced celery	¼ cup
Diced red bell pepper	¼ cup
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper	To taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture.

Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water until fully cooled. Let any extra water drain completely.

Tip: Cooling the pasta quickly stops the cooking process and helps maintain a firm texture while keeping the dressing from becoming too thick.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped red onion, celery, and red bell pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined.

Step 3: Mix the Salad

Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing mixture. Gently stir until the noodles are completely coated and the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.

Step 4: Refrigerate

Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Allowing the salad to chill helps the flavors blend and creates a smoother, creamier texture.

Step 5: Serve

Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Serve cold as a delicious side dish with grilled foods, sandwiches, or your favorite picnic and party meals.