Description
This Curried Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender rotini or penne pasta with a creamy, spiced dressing made from mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, curry powder, and turmeric. Tossed with crunchy celery, sweet red bell peppers, tangy red onion, and golden raisins, and finished with fresh cilantro and a hint of lemon juice, this salad is perfect as a refreshing side dish for picnics, lunches, or light dinners. Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld beautifully for a delightful and easy-to-make treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 3 cups cooked pasta (rotini or penne)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Spices & Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, curry powder, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and well blended. This creates a creamy and flavorful base for the salad.
- Add the main ingredients: To the bowl with the dressing, add the cooked pasta, diced celery, red bell pepper, red onion, and golden raisins. Gently toss all the ingredients together, ensuring the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the curried dressing.
- Incorporate fresh herbs: Stir in the chopped cilantro to add a fresh, bright flavor that complements the spices.
- Chill and serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add toasted almonds or cashews.
- Substitute plain yogurt for mayonnaise for a lighter version.
- This salad is perfect to serve chilled during picnics or light lunches.
