This creamy cold pasta salad was a highly requested recipe after I shared a glimpse on my stories a few days ago! It reminds me so much of the classic Pizza Hut salad bar – creamy, tangy, and full of color. It’s the perfect mix of comfort and freshness. The sauce is light yet flavorful, and you can customize it with your favorite fruits or vegetables. It’s a great meal prep option that doesn’t turn watery and stays fresh for days and perfect for busy lunches, summer dinners, or picnics.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Nostalgic and delicious: Brings back all the flavors of the iconic salad bar days.

• Perfect for meal prep: Stays creamy and fresh for up to 5 days.

• Customizable: Add your favorite fruits, veggies, or protein like grilled chicken.

• Quick and simple: Comes together in under 20 minutes.

• Crowd-pleaser: Great for picnics, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

For the Pasta Salad:

• 250g boiled bow pasta

• 1 apple, cubed

• 1 large carrot, cubed

• 1 medium bell pepper, cubed

• ¼ cup canned corn

• ½ cup canned pineapple chunks

For the Dressing:

• 6–7 tbsp mayonnaise

• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt

• ¼ cup pineapple juice (saved from the can)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

• Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

• Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely before mixing.

Step 2: Prep the Add-ins

• Cube the apple, carrot, and bell pepper into small bite-sized pieces.

• Drain the canned corn and pineapple, reserving a bit of the pineapple juice for the dressing.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, pineapple juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.

• Adjust consistency by adding a touch more pineapple juice if needed.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, apple, carrot, bell pepper, corn, and pineapple.

• Pour the dressing over and mix gently until evenly coated.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

• Serve cold as a main dish or alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, or wraps.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.

• The dressing keeps the salad creamy without getting watery.

• Avoid freezing, as the texture changes once thawed.

• You can add boiled eggs, grilled chicken, or chickpeas for extra protein.

Creamy Cold Pasta Salad

This cold pasta salad reminds me so much of the classic Pizza Hut salad bar — creamy, tangy, and full of color.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad

Cuisine Fusion

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

For the Pasta Salad:

• 250 g boiled bow pasta
• 1 apple cubed
• 1 large carrot cubed
• 1 medium bell pepper cubed
• ¼ cup canned corn
• ½ cup canned pineapple chunks

For the Dressing:

• 6 –7 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup pineapple juice saved from the can
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
• Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely before mixing.
• Cube the apple, carrot, and bell pepper into small bite-sized pieces.
• Drain the canned corn and pineapple, reserving a bit of the pineapple juice for the dressing.
• In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, pineapple juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• Adjust consistency by adding a touch more pineapple juice if needed.
• In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, apple, carrot, bell pepper, corn, and pineapple.
• Pour the dressing over and mix gently until evenly coated.
• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• Serve cold as a main dish or alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, or wraps.

Keyword cold pasta salad, pasta salad recipe, pizza hut salad copycat

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it tastes even better after a few hours once the flavors have melded together.

Q. What type of pasta works best?
Bow or fusilli pasta works perfectly, but you can use penne or macaroni too.

Q. Can I make it lighter?
You can replace half the mayonnaise with more Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version.

Q. Can I skip the fruit?
Yes, just add more veggies like cucumber, cherry tomatoes, or even some cooked peas.

Q. How long does it last in the fridge?
It stays fresh for 4–5 days when stored properly in an airtight container.