Creamy Pasta Salad With Summer Sausage
This creamy pasta salad is a true summer delight, combining fresh vegetables, hearty summer sausage, and a zesty dressing for a perfect dish. It's ideal for gatherings and can be made ahead for added convenience.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 16-ounce package rotini or preferred pasta
- 8 oz summer sausage diced
- 1 cup broccoli florets chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 1/2 medium red onion finely chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese cut into cubes
- 1 can sliced olives drained
For the Dressing:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- 2 teaspoons sugar adjust to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
For Pasta:
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a vigorous boil. Cook the pasta based on package instructions until it's al dente. Drain and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes.
- While the pasta cooks, in a large bowl, combine diced summer sausage, chopped broccoli, red onion, halved tomatoes, drained sliced olives, and cubed cheddar cheese.
For Dressing:
- In a small bowl, blend mayonnaise, Italian dressing, sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Once the pasta has cooled, incorporate it into the bowl with the sausage and vegetables. Drizzle the dressing over the mixture and combine gently to ensure everything is well coated.
- Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.