Three Cheese Pasta Salad

Indulge in the creamy, tangy, and irresistibly delicious flavors of our *Three Cheese Pasta Salad*, the perfect dish for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a satisfying weeknight meal. This vibrant salad brings together tender al dente pasta, a trio of cheeses—creamy mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and nutty Parmesan—and an array of fresh vegetables like juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and sweet red bell pepper. Tossed in a luscious homemade dressing featuring mayo, sour cream, olive oil, and a hint of red wine vinegar, this pasta salad is bursting with flavor in every bite. The addition of fresh basil elevates the dish with a fragrant herbal note, while a quick chill in the fridge allows all the ingredients to meld beautifully. Easy to prepare in just 25 minutes and perfect served cold, this recipe will be your new go-to for crowd-pleasing comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz short pasta (e.g., rotini, penne, or fusilli)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (cubed)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup cucumber (diced)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, mozzarella cubes, shredded cheddar, grated parmesan, cherry tomato halves, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, and chopped basil.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 4

Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Before serving, gently toss the pasta salad again, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1697.6 grams (1697.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3671

Total Fat 262.20g	336%
Saturated Fat 103.50g	518%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 561mg	187%
Sodium 6977mg	303%
Total Carbohydrate 179.90g	65%
Dietary Fiber 13.00g	46%
Total Sugars 29.90g
Protein 154.20g	308%

Vitamin D 75IU	376%
Calcium 4138mg	318%
Iron 9mg	49%
Potassium 1793mg	38%

*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: 63.8%

Protein: 16.7%

Carbs: 19.5%