Cajun Pasta Salad

Bursting with vibrant flavors and colors, this Cajun Pasta Salad is a zesty twist on the classic pasta salad, perfect for picnics, barbecues, or weeknight dinners. Featuring tender penne pasta, crisp bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and a creamy Cajun-spiced dressing, this dish packs a punch of bold, smoky-sweet flavor in every bite. The tangy combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar ensures a luscious dressing that clings perfectly to the pasta and veggies. With its quick 15-minute prep time and an hour of chilling to let the flavors meld, this Cajun Pasta Salad is an easy make-ahead recipe that's as delightful to eat as it is to make. Serve it chilled, garnished with fresh parsley, for a refreshing side dish or a crowd-pleasing main course.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Penne pasta
• 1 whole Red bell pepper
• 1 whole Green bell pepper
• 0.5 whole Red onion
• 2 whole Celery stalks
• 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup Sweet corn kernels (canned or fresh)
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup Sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 3 whole Green onions (scallions)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool completely.

Step 2

While the pasta cools, dice the red and green bell peppers, red onion, and celery into small, bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Set all vegetables aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and Cajun seasoning until smooth and creamy.

Step 4

Add the cooled pasta to the mixing bowl with the dressing. Toss to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 5

Gently fold in the diced vegetables, cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and green onions. Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed and coated in the dressing.

Step 6

Season the salad with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning or Cajun spice level as desired.

Step 7

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Before serving, sprinkle the top with freshly chopped parsley for garnish.

Step 9

Serve chilled as a side dish or main course, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1509.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2711.9

Total Fat 122.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 175.1mg	0%
Sodium 5971.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 360.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.5g	0%
Total Sugars 39.6g
Protein 59.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 292.7mg	0%
Iron 16.4mg	0%
Potassium 2763.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.6%

Protein: 8.6%

Carbs: 51.8%