Creamy & Delicious: Easy Pasta Salad with Peas and Corn

Pasta salad is a quintessential dish for potlucks, barbecues, picnics, and easy weeknight meals. It’s incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it with your favorite vegetables, proteins, and dressings. This recipe focuses on a simple yet satisfying combination: pasta salad with peas and corn, offering a delightful balance of sweetness, freshness, and creamy texture. This dish is not only delicious but also quick to prepare, making it a perfect solution for busy schedules or when you need to whip up something for a crowd. Let’s dive into how to create this crowd-pleasing pasta salad!

Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad

* **Easy and Quick:** This recipe requires minimal cooking and preparation time, making it ideal for busy days.
* **Versatile:** You can easily adapt the ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** The combination of sweet corn, fresh peas, and creamy dressing is a hit with both kids and adults.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** This pasta salad tastes even better after it has had time to chill in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prepping or preparing in advance for gatherings.
* **Budget-Friendly:** The ingredients are readily available and affordable.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the following ingredients:

* **Pasta:** 1 pound of your favorite pasta shape (rotini, penne, farfalle, or elbow macaroni all work well)
* **Peas:** 1 cup of frozen peas, thawed
* **Corn:** 1 cup of frozen or canned corn, drained
* **Mayonnaise:** 1 cup
* **Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt:** 1/2 cup (adds a tangy flavor and creamy texture)
* **Dijon Mustard:** 1 tablespoon (for a subtle tang and depth of flavor)
* **Lemon Juice:** 1 tablespoon (brightens the flavors)
* **Garlic Powder:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Onion Powder:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Salt:** To taste
* **Black Pepper:** To taste
* **Optional Add-ins:**
* Diced red onion
* Diced celery
* Diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
* Cooked and crumbled bacon or ham
* Shredded cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese
* Fresh herbs (parsley, dill, or chives)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious pasta salad with peas and corn:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente (firm to the bite). Avoid overcooking, as the pasta will become mushy in the salad.
3. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it immediately and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. This will prevent the pasta from sticking together.
4. Set the pasta aside to cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Peas and Corn

1. If using frozen peas and corn, thaw them before adding them to the salad. You can thaw them in the refrigerator or by running them under cold water.
2. If using canned corn, drain it well to remove any excess liquid.
3. Set the peas and corn aside.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
2. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preference.

Step 4: Combine the Ingredients

1. In the same large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, peas, and corn.
2. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture.
3. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the pasta mushy.

Step 5: Add Optional Ingredients (If Desired)

1. If you’re using any optional add-ins, such as diced red onion, celery, bell peppers, bacon, cheese, or fresh herbs, add them to the bowl now.
2. Gently toss everything together to combine.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

1. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the pasta salad to an airtight container.
2. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. For the best flavor, chill for at least 2 hours or even overnight.
3. Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir. If it seems dry, you can add a little more mayonnaise or sour cream to moisten it.
4. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect Pasta Salad

* **Don’t Overcook the Pasta:** Overcooked pasta will become mushy in the salad. Cook it al dente (firm to the bite) for the best texture.
* **Rinse the Pasta with Cold Water:** Rinsing the pasta under cold water after cooking stops the cooking process and removes excess starch, preventing the pasta from sticking together.
* **Cool the Pasta Completely:** Make sure the pasta is completely cooled before adding the dressing. Warm pasta can cause the dressing to become thin and watery.
* **Taste and Adjust Seasonings:** Taste the dressing and pasta salad and adjust the seasonings as needed. Don’t be afraid to add more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or other spices to suit your preference.
* **Don’t Overdress the Salad:** Start with a smaller amount of dressing and add more as needed. You can always add more dressing, but you can’t take it away.
* **Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients:** Using fresh, high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your pasta salad.
* **Let the Flavors Meld:** Allowing the pasta salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or longer) will allow the flavors to meld together and create a more cohesive and delicious dish.
* **Add a Touch of Acidity:** A little lemon juice or vinegar can help to brighten the flavors of the pasta salad and prevent it from tasting too heavy.
* **Consider Texture:** Think about the textures of the different ingredients in your pasta salad. Adding crunchy vegetables like celery or bell peppers can provide a nice contrast to the soft pasta and creamy dressing.
* **Get Creative with Add-ins:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different add-ins to create your own unique pasta salad. Some popular options include diced ham, cooked chicken, shredded cheese, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Variations and Add-ins

This pasta salad recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your liking. Here are a few variations and add-in ideas:

* **Mediterranean Pasta Salad:** Add Kalamata olives, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a Mediterranean-inspired dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano.
* **Italian Pasta Salad:** Add salami, provolone cheese, black olives, and a vinaigrette dressing.
* **Mexican Pasta Salad:** Add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, avocado, and a creamy cilantro-lime dressing.
* **Chicken Pasta Salad:** Add cooked and shredded chicken breast to the pasta salad for a heartier meal.
* **Shrimp Pasta Salad:** Add cooked shrimp to the pasta salad for a seafood twist.
* **Vegetarian Pasta Salad:** Add more vegetables, such as broccoli florets, carrots, and cucumbers, for a vegetarian-friendly option.

Here are some additional ingredient options:

* **Vegetables:** Broccoli florets, carrots (shredded or diced), cucumber (diced), red onion (diced), bell peppers (diced), cherry tomatoes (halved), celery (diced), avocado (diced).
* **Proteins:** Cooked chicken (shredded or diced), cooked ham (diced), cooked bacon (crumbled), cooked shrimp, hard-boiled eggs (diced), chickpeas (canned, rinsed and drained).
* **Cheeses:** Cheddar cheese (shredded or cubed), mozzarella cheese (cubed), provolone cheese (cubed), feta cheese (crumbled), parmesan cheese (grated).
* **Herbs:** Fresh parsley (chopped), fresh dill (chopped), fresh chives (chopped), fresh basil (chopped).
* **Other:** Olives (Kalamata or black, sliced), sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and chopped), artichoke hearts (canned, drained and quartered), pepperoncini (sliced).

Serving Suggestions

Pasta salad with peas and corn is a versatile dish that can be served in various ways:

* **Side Dish:** Serve it as a side dish at barbecues, potlucks, picnics, or family gatherings.
* **Main Course:** Add cooked chicken, ham, or shrimp to make it a heartier main course.
* **Lunch:** Pack it in a container for a quick and easy lunch at work or school.
* **Snack:** Enjoy a small bowl of pasta salad as a refreshing snack.

It pairs well with:

* Grilled chicken, steak, or fish
* Hamburgers and hot dogs
* Sandwiches and wraps
* Salads
* Soups

Make-Ahead Instructions

This pasta salad is perfect for making ahead of time. You can prepare the entire salad (including the dressing) up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before serving, give it a gentle stir and add a little more mayonnaise or sour cream if needed to moisten it.

Making the dressing separately and adding it to the pasta and vegetables just before serving is also an option. This will help to prevent the pasta from becoming soggy.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. The pasta may absorb some of the dressing over time, so you may need to add a little more mayonnaise or sour cream before serving. It’s best not to freeze pasta salad, as the texture of the pasta and vegetables can change.

Recipe Card

**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 10 minutes
**Chill time:** 30 minutes (minimum)

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound pasta (rotini, penne, farfalle, or elbow macaroni)
* 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
* 1 cup frozen or canned corn, drained
* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
* Salt to taste
* Black pepper to taste
* Optional add-ins: diced red onion, celery, bell peppers, bacon, cheese, fresh herbs

**Instructions:**

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to cool.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the cooled pasta, peas, and corn to the bowl.
4. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to combine.
5. Add any optional add-ins, such as diced vegetables, bacon, cheese, or herbs.
6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or longer) to allow the flavors to meld.
7. Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir and add more mayonnaise or sour cream if needed.
8. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Enjoy this incredibly simple and satisfying pasta salad at your next gathering or as a quick and easy meal! With its customizable nature and delicious flavor, it’s sure to become a new favorite.