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Layered Pasta Salad

Colorful Layered Pasta Salad for Effortless Summer Picnics

A vibrant Layered Pasta Salad that's easy to prepare and perfect for summer picnics.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Dressing
  • 1 cup mayonnaise Substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
  • ½ cup sour cream Full-fat or light as per preference.
  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar Lemon juice is an alternative.
  • 1 tablespoon sugar Optional to adjust based on taste.
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Yellow mustard can be used if Dijon isn’t available.
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Soy sauce can serve as a gluten-free substitute.
  • salt Adjust according to taste.
  • black pepper Adjust according to taste.
Salad
  • 8 ounces macaroni pasta (cooked and drained) Substitute with gluten-free pasta if desired.
  • 1 cup romaine lettuce (chopped) Can be replaced with spinach or mixed greens.
  • 1 medium red bell pepper (diced) Any sweet pepper makes a tasty substitute.
  • ½ medium red onion (finely diced) Green onions can serve as a milder option.
  • ½ cup green peas (thawed) Frozen peas can be used directly once thawed.
  • 2 stalks celery (chopped) Cucumber can be substituted for a different texture.
  • 1 cup diced ham Can be swapped with turkey or bacon.
  • ½ cup black olives (chopped) Feel free to omit if preferred or use green olives instead.
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Mozzarella or dairy-free alternatives work well too.

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Trifle bowl or clear glass dish
  • Colander

Method
 

Dressing Preparation
  1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, white wine vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, whisk until smooth.
Cooking Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook macaroni pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Chopping Vegetables
  1. Finely chop romaine lettuce, dice red bell pepper, finely dice red onion, chop celery, and thaw green peas if using frozen. Organize ingredients in bowls.
Assembling Layers
  1. In a large trifle bowl, layer chopped romaine lettuce, cooled macaroni, diced red bell pepper, red onion, green peas, chopped celery, diced ham, and chopped black olives.
Adding Dressing and Cheese
  1. Pour dressing evenly over all layers and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Chilling the Salad
  1. Cover salad tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours, preferably overnight.
Serving
  1. Before serving, gently toss layers to mix dressing. Serve chilled.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 10gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Chill time is crucial for flavor melding. For the freshest texture, consider adding the dressing just before serving. Use a clear bowl for visual appeal.

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