“Tangy Rotini Pasta Salad”

So it’s a scorcher outside today and I need something cool and refreshing to go with my grilled chicken. For me some type of salad is key on a hot Summer day. How about you? What’s your favorite refreshing side dish for Summer meals? Have you run out of ideas? Well I’m here to help. Whip up this quick and easy Tangy Rotini Pasta Salad. Cook your pasta, prepare the dressing, and refrigerate until ready to serve. One spoonful and you can’t stop eating.

Tangy Rotini Pasta Salad

Growing up watching my Mom make her Summer salads was a treat because they were irresistible and addicting. Her homemade dressing were always the key ingredient. For pasta or coleslaw it was a dressing made of Miracle Whip, vinegar, sugar, mustard, and maybe a shake of celery seed. My Dad didn’t like celery seed so she most often left it unless we were taking the salad to a family picnic. The dressing for this pasta salad is based from her recipe. Mom would be proud of the updated spin on her no-recipe recipe because this salad is mighty tasty.

Tangy Rotini Pasta Salad

Prepare this salad by cooking your pasta to al dente and rinse in cold water to stop cooking then drain. Add in the red pepper, celery, onion, and carrots. In another bowl combine Miracle Whip, mayonnaise, spicy brown mustard, white vinegar, cayenne, sweet paprika, and sugar. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste. Stir in dressing and mix well. Place in refrigerator for at least one hour  to overnight for best flavor. Give the salad a good stir before serving.

Tangy Rotini Pasta Salad

I love this salad served with hot dogs, burgers, brats and other sausages, and other grilled meats. You may find leftovers work well for lunch with a sandwich. Even kids will love this pasta salad as I did as a kid. It took me a while to get Mom’s flavor just right yet feel free to adapt ingredients to your liking. Make ahead of time to save prep time on busy days. Enjoy the tender pasta, crunchy veggies and creamy dressing and surprise your family with something new and delicious.

Tangy Rotini Pasta Salad

Tangy Rotini Pasta Salad

4 cups cooked rotini pasta

1/2 of large red bell pepper, diced

1 rib celery, diced

1/2 red onion, diced

1 large carrot, coarsely shredded

1 cup Miracle Whip salad dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 T. spicy brown mustard

3 T. white vinegar

1/8 t. cayenne pepper

1/2 t. sweet paprika

1 to 2 T. granulated sugar, to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large mixing bowl, combine Miracle Whip, mayonnaise, brown mustard, vinegar, cayenne, paprika, and sugar.

Stir in bell pepper, celery, onion, and carrot. Add in pasta and mix until thoroughly combined. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste.

Refrigerate salad for at least 1 hour to overnight before serving. When ready to serve, give salad a good stir.

Makes 6 servings.