This is the Best Creamy Pasta Salad for a BBQ. It is one of our favorite summer recipes. It’s a great pasta salad to serve at bbq’s, picnics, and pool parties.

I am so happy summer is finally almost here.

Because with summer comes all the fun of BBQ’s, picnics, potlucks, pool parties and more.

And food… lots of great food.

I love summery foods from fresh fruits and vegetables, to tropical desserts and more.

But what I especially love, is BBQ food.

And this week it’s all about both.

It falls smack dab in the middle of burger month, which seems perfect since it all seems to go together.

Welcome to BBQ Week 2019!

I’m bringing the best Creamy Pasta Salad for a BBQ today!

What makes this the Best Creamy Pasta Salad for a BBQ?

There are a few ways this pasta salad is perfect for a BBQ.

It’s loaded with all sorts of tasty, delicious ingredients to tantalize your taste buds.

Flavor bursting in every single bite.

It’s a pretty inexpensive salad to make, and it’s incredibly easy to double, triple or even quadruple to feed quite the crowd.

I love recipes that can feed a crowd, and this is the best creamy pasta salad to feed a crowd!

Hands down!

Oh, and this makes a pretty terrific lunch too.

So if you are looking for something light and summery, grab a bowl of incredible pasta salad.

It’s a favorite summertime lunch for me on a hot day.

Cold pasta salad, yes please.

It’s BBQ Week all up in here! 

This week we are sharing dozens of delicious BBQ recipes.

From burgers, to side dishes, dessert and drinks.

There’s something that is sure to call your name and be the perfect recipe for your next picnic or BBQ.

So be sure and scroll down to check out those recipes!

What goes well with Creamy Pasta Salad for a BBQ?

• Easy Summer Berry Salad Recipe
• Grilled Corn with Garlic Herb Butter
• Garlic Overload Burgers with Creamy Garlic Burger Sauce
• Bacon Ranch Potatoes on the Grill

Plus everything below! 

• BBQ Beef Spring Rolls by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• BBQ Brisket Burger by The Spiffy Cookie
• Ceviche Shrimp Cups by The Freshman Cook
• Corn Fritters by Back To My Southern Roots
• Cuban Sandwich Burger by Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Grilled Brussels Sprouts by Jolene’s Recipe Journal
• Grilled Mac and Cheese Burgers by Our Good Life
• Grilled Pineapple Mai Tai by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Grilled Porterhouse Steaks with Garlic Herb Compound Butter by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Grilled Veggie Pasta by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Instant Pot Baked Beans by Kate’s Recipe Box
• Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta and Tequila Dressing by Food Above Gold
• Sosaties (South African Lamb and Apricot Kebabs) by Caroline’s Cooking
• Easy Strawberry Basil Margarita by The Beard and The Baker
• Strawberry Broccoli Salad by Sweet Beginnings
• Warm Roasted Carrot & Pea Chipotle Salad by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice

Are you ready to make the Best Creamy Pasta Salad?

The Best Creamy Pasta Salad

Yield: 10 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Refrigerate: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

This is the Best Creamy Pasta Salad for a BBQ. It is one of our favorite summer recipes. It’s a great pasta salad to serve at bbq’s, picnics, and pool parties.

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Ingredients

FOR THE SALAD

• 1 (16 ounce) box Ditalini pasta
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives, drained
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

FOR THE DRESSING

• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

FOR THE SALAD

1. In a large pot, boil water and add pasta. Cook under very tender. About 12 minutes.
2. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water until pasta is no longer hot. This also helps rinse away extra starches keeping your pasta from sticking together. Place pasta in a large serving bowl.
3. Add all salad ingredients and vegetables to the pasta. Set aside.

FOR THE DRESSING

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the mayo, sour cream and milk together until smooth. Add the garlic powder, Dijon mustard, sriracha and Worcestershire sauce and whisk until well blended.
2. Add the dressing to the bowl of pasta and stir gently until well coated.
3. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
4. Cover and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Making this ahead of time and chilling overnight is perfectly fine. If you need to make the sauce creamy again, just add a couple of tablespoons of milk and mix well.