Description

Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Pasta Salad is a creamy, flavorful twist on traditional pasta salad. Featuring rotini pasta tossed in a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and shredded cheddar cheese, this salad is packed with diced jalapeños for a spicy kick and garnished with crispy fried onions for a delightful crunch. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or as a zesty side dish, this salad is quick to prepare and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

8 ounces rotini pasta
1 cup cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup diced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup crispy fried onions (for topping)

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Begin by cooking the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta quickly.
Prepare the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Stir the mixture well until it becomes smooth and creamy with no lumps.
Add the Flavors: To the creamy base, add the shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated throughout the mixture.
Combine with the Pasta: Gently fold the cooled rotini pasta into the creamy mixture. Toss carefully to coat the pasta evenly without breaking it, making sure all pieces are well covered with the dressing.
Chill the Pasta Salad: Transfer the coated pasta salad to a serving dish and sprinkle the crispy fried onions on top for added texture and crunch. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill before serving.

Notes

Use fresh jalapeños for more heat or pickled jalapeños for tang and a milder spice.
For a vegetarian version, ensure the fried onions do not contain animal-derived ingredients.
Feel free to substitute rotini with other short pasta shapes like penne or shells.
Refrigerating the salad helps the flavors develop and makes the dish more refreshing to eat.
This pasta salad can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor.