Cheddar & Sour Cream Pasta Salad

Creamy, cheesy, and full of fresh, crunchy vegetables, this Cheddar & Sour Cream Pasta Salad is an easy side dish that’s perfect for cookouts, potlucks, picnics, or family dinners. Tender pasta is tossed in a smooth blend of sour cream and mayonnaise, then combined with sharp cheddar cheese, crisp celery, sweet bell pepper, and red onion for a refreshing salad that’s even better after it’s been chilled.

🛒 Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount
Pasta of your choice	8 ounces
Shredded cheddar cheese	1 cup
Sour cream	½ cup
Mayonnaise	¼ cup
Red onion, finely chopped	¼ cup
Celery, diced	¼ cup
Red bell pepper, diced	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. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold running water until completely cooled, then allow any excess water to drain away.

Tip: Rinsing the pasta stops the cooking process and helps keep the noodles firm while preventing the dressing from becoming overly starchy.

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped red onion, diced celery, and diced red bell pepper. Stir until everything is evenly blended.

Step 3: Combine the Salad

Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and gently toss until every piece is coated with the creamy dressing. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 4: Chill

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling allows the flavors to blend together and gives the salad a richer, creamier texture.

Step 5: Serve

Stir the pasta salad once more before serving. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, then serve cold as a side dish alongside your favorite grilled meats, sandwiches, or picnic favorites.