Buttermilk Pasta Salad – the BEST pasta salad ever!! Great for a crowd! Pasta, tomatoes, chives, sweet peppers, basil, cucumbers, onion, sunflower seeds, and feta tossed in a delicious homemade buttermilk dressing made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic, chili flakes, and pepper. Add some canned tuna or cooked chicken for a meal! Can make in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve!
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Pin This RecipeGreat Side Dish for a Crowd
We are addicted to this Buttermilk Pasta Salad. It is SO good! Pasta, tomatoes, chives, sweet peppers, basil, cucumbers, onion, sunflower seeds, and feta tossed in a delicious homemade buttermilk dressing. It makes a ton, so it is perfect for all your upcoming parties, potlucks, BBQs, and baby showers. I like to make this on Sunday and portion it out for easy lunch prep during the week. You could even add a can of tuna or some cooked chicken to this pasta salad and make a full meal out of it!
Can Pasta Salad be Made the Day Before?
YES!!! I almost always make pasta salad the day before serving. Making it in advance gives the flavors time to meld together. We usually serve pasta salad served cold. This pasta salad will keep for several days in the refrigerator. Perfect for easy party prep! That being said, you can serve this immediately after making or refrigerate for later. It will taste fine either way.
What Goes with Pasta Salad?
This pasta salad goes with just about anything. Pizza, ham, pulled pork, quiche, chicken, burgers. Really, anything! Here are a few of our favorite things to serve with this easy pasta salad recipe:
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Buttermilk Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 (16-oz) package penne pasta
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves torn
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup chopped chives
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup mini sweet peppers sliced
- ½ cup salted sunflower seeds
- 1 cup crumbled feta
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp hot sauce – such as Crystal brand or Frank’s Red Hot
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain well.
- Transfer pasta to a large bowl. Add basil, tomatoes, cucumber, chives, red onion, peppers, sunflower seeds, and feta. Toss well and set aside.
- Whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour dressing over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate overnight.
Notes:
Steph
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This was delicious! Probably the best pasta salad I’ve ever had!
SO glad you enjoyed it!
Looks very good Steph I especially like the use of Feta.