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+ servings
spicy creamy cajun pasta

Cajun Pasta Salad

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Salad
Cuisine Cajun
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot
  • 1 colander
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 Small bowl
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 measuring cup set
  • 1 Measuring spoons set
  • 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
  • 1 plastic wrap or airtight container

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounce pasta rotini or penne; short shape
  • 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup bell pepper mixed colors if possible; diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely diced
  • 1 cup celery thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast optional; diced or shredded
  • 1/2 cup andouille sausage optional; sliced and cooked
  • 1/2 cup black olives sliced
  • 1/4 cup green onions thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise full-fat
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning store-bought or homemade
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the tablespoon of salt, then add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
  • Drain the pasta in a colander, rinse under cold water until completely cool, and let it drain very well.
  • While the pasta cooks and cools, prepare the vegetables by halving the cherry tomatoes, dicing the bell pepper and red onion, slicing the celery, olives, and green onions, and chopping the parsley.
  • If using chicken and andouille sausage, cook or reheat them as needed, then dice or slice into bite-size pieces and let cool slightly.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
  • Place the cooled pasta in a large mixing bowl and add the cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, celery, black olives, green onions, parsley, chicken, and sausage.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss with a wooden spoon or spatula until everything is evenly coated.
  • Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt, black pepper, or Cajun seasoning as desired.
  • Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  • Before serving, give the salad a final stir, add a splash of lemon juice or a spoonful of mayonnaise if it looks dry, and garnish with extra green onions or parsley if desired.

Notes

For best flavor, let the salad chill longer (up to a few hours) if you have time, as the Cajun spices deepen and mellow in the fridge. If making ahead by a day, reserve a little extra dressing to stir in just before serving, since pasta absorbs moisture as it sits. You can easily make this dish lighter by using Greek yogurt in place of sour cream and part of the mayonnaise, or make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken and sausage and adding extra veggies such as corn or diced cucumber. Adjust the heat level by increasing or reducing the Cajun seasoning and cayenne, remembering that cold dishes mute spice slightly, so it should taste a bit bold before chilling. Use any sturdy short pasta shape that holds dressing well, and always cool the pasta completely before mixing to prevent the dressing from breaking or becoming greasy.
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