Description
Colorful Mardi Gras pasta salad celebrates Louisiana’s festive spirit with bold Creole-inspired flavors. Purple, green, and gold ingredients create a zesty carnival-worthy dish you’ll want to savor at your next celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) spiral pasta
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) shredded purple cabbage
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole kernel corn
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) finely chopped green onions
Seasoning and Spices:
- 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter
Instructions
- Boil spiral pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until tender, then drain completely and transfer to a spacious mixing vessel.
- Heat skillet to medium-high, melt butter, and quickly sauté corn kernels for approximately two minutes until they develop a light golden caramelization, then incorporate into the pasta.
- Introduce shredded purple cabbage and thinly sliced green onions into the pasta-corn mixture, ensuring uniform distribution of ingredients.
- Craft the dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, dried basil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a separate small bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Gently fold the prepared dressing into the pasta medley, ensuring each component is delicately coated with the creamy mixture.
- For optimal flavor, allow the salad to rest for 15-20 minutes at room temperature before serving, or chill in refrigerator for a more refreshing Mardi Gras-inspired experience.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection Choose spiral or rotini pasta for maximum dressing absorption and visual appeal in your salad.
- Corn Caramelization Sauté corn quickly to enhance natural sweetness and create a golden, slightly charred texture that adds depth to the dish.
- Color and Crunch Purple cabbage provides vibrant color and crisp texture, making the salad visually exciting and nutritionally balanced.
- Dressing Dynamics Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to ensure smooth, even coating and prevent mayonnaise from separating or becoming lumpy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Creole/Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg