Creamy Marry Me Pasta Salad

Creamy Marry Me Pasta Salad is a rich, flavorful, and irresistible side dish that brings the bold, romantic flavors of the viral “Marry Me” pasta into a cold, creamy salad. With sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, herbs, and a luscious dressing, this dish makes an unforgettable impression at any meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Inspired by a beloved pasta favorite, now in salad form.
• Rich and savory, with bold tomato, cheese, and herb flavors.
• Perfect for entertaining, potlucks, or romantic meals.
• Versatile and filling, served as a side or light main course.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Pasta (penne, rotini, or bowties)
• Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Garlic, minced
• Red pepper flakes
• Dried or fresh basil
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Optional: cooked chicken, spinach, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts

Directions

1. Cook the pasta: Boil until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
2. Prepare the dressing: Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and basil in a bowl.
3. Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and any optional ingredients.
4. Dress and mix: Pour dressing over salad and toss until evenly coated.
5. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
6. Serve: Stir gently and top with extra Parmesan or herbs if desired.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes
• Chill time: 30 minutes
• Total time: 50 minutes

Variations

• Add protein: Toss in grilled or rotisserie chicken.
• Vegetarian: Leave out meat and add extra veggies like spinach or zucchini.
• Spicy version: Increase red pepper flakes or add chili oil.
• Nutty twist: Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts or almonds.

Storage/Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving. Do not reheat—this is meant to be enjoyed cold. Add extra dressing if needed to refresh the texture.

FAQs

What type of pasta works best?

Short, ridged pasta like rotini or bowties helps hold onto the dressing.

Can I use store-bought sun-dried tomatoes?

Yes, either oil-packed (drained) or dry-packed (rehydrated) work well.

Is this dish spicy?

Mildly spicy from red pepper flakes, but you can adjust to taste.

Can I substitute Greek yogurt?

Yes, it adds tang and reduces calories—great in place of sour cream.

What cheese works best?

Parmesan is traditional, but Pecorino Romano can also be used.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, it’s perfect for prepping in advance and improves after chilling.

Is this freezer-friendly?

No, pasta salads with dairy-based dressing do not freeze well.

Can I add vegetables?

Yes—spinach, cherry tomatoes, or roasted peppers are great additions.

Does it need to be served cold?

Yes, for the best texture and flavor, serve chilled or at room temperature.

How can I make it dairy-free?

Use vegan mayo and a plant-based Parmesan substitute.

Conclusion

Creamy Marry Me Pasta Salad transforms a romantic entrée into a luxurious cold salad full of bold flavors and creamy texture. It’s the ideal addition to a summer spread or special dinner, offering all the flavor of a comfort food classic in a chilled, crowd-pleasing form.

Creamy Marry Me Pasta Salad

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Creamy Marry Me Pasta Salad is a rich and flavorful cold pasta dish inspired by the viral Marry Me pasta. Featuring sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, herbs, and a creamy dressing, it’s perfect for potlucks, romantic meals, or refreshing summer sides.

• Author: Emma Harper
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or bowties)
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp dried basil or 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Optional: 1 cup cooked chicken, diced
• Optional: 1/2 cup baby spinach
• Optional: 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Optional: 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, red pepper flakes, basil, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
3. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and any optional add-ins like chicken, spinach, or tomatoes.
4. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine until evenly coated.
5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
6. Stir gently and top with extra Parmesan or herbs before serving, if desired.

Notes

• Use short, ridged pasta to hold the creamy dressing well.
• Sun-dried tomatoes can be oil-packed (drained) or rehydrated dry-packed.
• For extra spice, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of chili oil.
• Add toasted pine nuts or almonds for texture and flavor contrast.
• Stir before serving and add extra dressing if the salad has thickened.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 440mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 30mg