Tracy'S Sweet And Sour Pasta Salad
A vibrant sweet and sour pasta salad combining tangy vinegar, fresh vegetables, and seasoned noodles, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or casual gatherings with bold flavors.
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked curly noodles ⓘ
- 1/2 cup tomato, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 to 1 cup cucumber, chopped ⓘ
- 1 cup onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup white vinegar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ⓘ
- 1 1/4 teaspoons seasoned salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon oil ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix cooked pasta with chopped tomato, cucumber, and onion in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sugar, seasoned salt, paprika, water, garlic powder, celery salt, and oil to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture.
- Seal the bowl and let it stand in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4 hours.
- Toss the salad before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist on this dish, try adding diced bell peppers or sweet corn for extra flavor and crunch. If you prefer a tangier dressing, increase the amount of apple cider vinegar. For a vegetarian option, substitute honey with agave syrup to keep it vegan-friendly. To enhance the flavors, let the salad sit for a longer period before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this vibrant pasta salad as a side dish at your next barbecue or picnic, pairing it with grilled meats or seafood. It also complements lighter fare, such as grilled chicken or fish. For a refreshing drink, consider serving it alongside Sunshine Sizzle Punch for a complete meal experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even tastier the next day. If you find it too dry after refrigeration, add a splash of water or additional dressing to refresh it before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Tracy'S Sweet And Sour Pasta Salad contains roughly 448 calories, with 4g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 35g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (41% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 774mg per serving (34% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! This salad is perfect for making ahead. In fact, refrigerating it overnight allows the flavors to develop fully. Just be sure to toss it again before serving to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe?
Curly noodles are ideal for this salad because they hold the dressing well. However, you can substitute with other pasta shapes like rotini or farfalle, which will also capture the dressing and complement the vegetables.
Is there a way to make this pasta salad gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply replace the curly noodles with gluten-free pasta made from rice or quinoa. This will maintain the texture of the salad while catering to gluten-sensitive diets.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).