Paul Kirk’s Championship Barbecue: Barbecue Your Way to Greatness contains many excellent recipes, including this flavorful Creole pasta salad. We loved the crunchy bell pepper and celery, the tender pasta tossed in a tangy buttermilk-mayonnaise dressing, the juicy pop of cherry tomatoes, and the briny bite of pimento-stuffed olives. I used tri-color rotini, but elbow macaroni or other short pasta shapes work well too.
Perfect For That Family Picnic
This recipe makes a large batch, ideal for family gatherings or potlucks. It has a bit of heat from cayenne pepper, so consider omitting it if you want a milder salad.
I often use Blue Plate mayonnaise in this dish; it gives the dressing a smooth, classic flavor. Use any mayonnaise you prefer if Blue Plate isn’t available.
Also check out my other version of Creole pasta salad for a slightly different take.
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Creole Pasta Salad
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta (or macaroni, shells, etc.)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- ½ cup celery, diced
- ½ cup white onion, diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup buttermilk, plus a little more if needed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, omit for milder flavor)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Rinse well, drain, and let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cubed cheddar, diced celery, diced onion, diced bell pepper, and sliced olives.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, minced garlic, kosher salt, ground white pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to let the flavors meld and the salad become well chilled.
- If the salad seems dry after chilling, stir in a tablespoon or two of extra buttermilk to reach the desired creaminess. Stir again before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 31 g |
Protein: 8 g |
Fat: 18 g