Description

This Ultimate Hellmann’s Pasta Salad is a creamy, vibrant, and flavorful dish combining perfectly cooked rotini pasta with fresh vegetables, shredded cheese, and a zesty homemade dressing featuring Hellmann’s Mayonnaise. It’s a refreshing and easy-to-make salad ideal for picnics, barbecues, or a quick, satisfying side.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

3 cups rotini pasta (cooked and drained)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 cup cucumber (diced)
½ cup red bell pepper (diced)
¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (or substitute with mozzarella)
2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Dressing Ingredients

¾ cup Hellmann’s Mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tsp honey
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
¼ tsp black pepper (freshly ground)

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to cool completely to prevent excess moisture in the salad.
Prepare the vegetables: While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes in halves, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, slice the red onion thinly, and chop the fresh parsley finely.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Combine the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, all the chopped vegetables, and shredded cheddar cheese. Toss gently to mix evenly.
Add the dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything gently yet thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
Garnish and serve: Garnish the salad with the chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately for best freshness, or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld beautifully before serving.

Notes

Ensure the pasta is completely cooled before adding the dressing to avoid a watery salad.
You can substitute cheddar cheese with mozzarella or your preferred cheese for different flavor variations.
Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on your preference.
Refrigerate the salad for up to 24 hours, but toss gently again before serving.
This salad is perfect as a side dish for summer barbecues or a light lunch on its own.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Boiling (Pasta preparation) and Mixing
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Hellmann's pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, rotini pasta salad, picnic salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, mayonnaise pasta salad