Description
Pink Cadillac Pasta Salad is a creamy, vibrant, crowd-pleasing dish full of smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp veggies, and cheesy goodness, all tossed in a tangy, pink-tinged dressing. Perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or make-ahead lunches, it brings together retro charm and fresh flavor in every forkful.
Ingredients
340g cavatappi pasta
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup chopped parsley or lettuce
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the cavatappi pasta for 8–10 minutes, until just past al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Let it cool completely.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
3. Cook the bacon until crispy, then place on paper towels to drain. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
4. Slice the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and chop the parsley or lettuce.
5. Add the cooled pasta, bacon, tomatoes, onion, cheddar cheese, and greens to the bowl with the dressing. Fold gently until well coated.
6. Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
7. Give the salad a quick stir before serving. Add extra dressing or a splash of sour cream if needed.
Notes
Keep a little extra dressing aside to freshen the salad before serving.
For more crunch, try topping with toasted breadcrumbs or croutons.
This recipe tastes even better the next day — perfect for make-ahead events.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: pasta salad, bacon, potluck, creamy salad, pink salad