Loaded Pasta Salad Recipe 🍝🥗

Creamy, colorful, and packed with fresh veggies, proteins, and bold flavors, this Loaded Pasta Salad is practically a meal on its own. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, weeknight dinners, or meal prep, it combines pasta with a medley of delicious ingredients for a filling and satisfying dish.

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Ingredients

For the Pasta Salad:

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (rotini, penne, or bow-tie)

• 1 cup cooked chicken, diced (optional for extra protein)

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 cup cucumber, diced

• ½ cup red bell pepper, diced

• ½ cup yellow bell pepper, diced

• ½ cup shredded carrots

• ½ cup red onion, finely chopped

• ½ cup black olives, sliced

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella)

• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped (optional)

For the Dressing:

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup sour cream

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or chili powder for a kick

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Directions

1. Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.

3. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta and stop cooking. Set aside.

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2. Prepare the Vegetables and Protein

1. Dice or slice all vegetables and proteins as needed.

2. Hard-boil eggs, peel, and chop if using.

3. If using chicken, dice into bite-sized pieces.

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3. Make the Dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using).

2. Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference.

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4. Combine the Salad

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, vegetables, chicken, eggs, cheese, and olives.

2. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture.

3. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

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