Description

This creamy, tangy, and colorful Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for BBQs, picnics, and potlucks. It’s packed with crunchy veggies, spiral pasta, and a rosy mayo dressing that gets even better with time.

Ingredients

12 oz cavatappi pasta

1 cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoons sweet relish

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 small red onion, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Optional: 1/2 cup crumbled bacon or 3/4 cup shredded cheese

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook cavatappi pasta until al dente. Rinse with cold water and drain well.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet relish, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.

3. Dice red onion, celery, and red bell pepper. Add to the bowl and stir to combine.

4. Add cooled pasta to the bowl. Fold everything together until evenly coated.

5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for the best flavor.

6. Before serving, stir well. Add bacon or cheese if using. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Notes

Chill the salad for at least one hour before serving—overnight is even better.

Rinse the pasta after boiling to stop it from cooking further and to prevent clumping.

For a tangier kick, add an extra teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or a splash of pickle juice.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Chilled
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 350
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 420mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 18mg