Spicy Creole Pasta Salad with Tangy Dressing

Ingredients

- 12 oz pasta (such as rotini or penne)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for pasta water)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (red, green, or a mix)
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta:
- Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Add 12 oz of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, approximately PT10M (10 minutes).
- Drain the pasta and set aside to cool.

2. Prepare Dressing:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.
- Add 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, 2 minced cloves of garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the bowl. Mix until smooth and well combined.

3. Assemble Salad:
- In the same bowl, add the cooled pasta, 1 cup of diced bell peppers, 1/2 cup diced celery, and 1/2 cup diced onions.
- Gently toss the ingredients until the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing and the vegetables are distributed throughout.

4. Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley over the pasta salad.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least PT30M (30 minutes) to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve cold as a flavorful, spicy lunch option.

Total Time

PT40M
40 minutes

Type of Dish

Lunch

Keywords

Pasta Salad, Creole Pasta, Spicy Pasta, Lunch Recipe, Tangy Dressing, Easy Lunch, Vegetarian Recipe, Bell Peppers, Summer Salad, Flavorful Dish

Recipe Yield

Serves 4 adults

Calories

Approximately 1,200 calories for the entire dish

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