Honey Mustard Pasta Salad

Honey Mustard Macaroni Salad Horizontal 1

Honey Mustard Pasta Salad — A Sweet, Tangy, and Crowd-Pleasing Favorite

Honey Mustard Pasta Salad is the perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and tangy flavors tossed with tender pasta and crisp vegetables. It’s the kind of dish that works just as well for summer picnics and potlucks as it does for quick weekday lunches. The honey mustard dressing coats every bite with a bright, comforting flavor, making this salad both refreshing and satisfying. Best of all, it’s simple to prepare and can be customized with your favorite add-ins.

Why This Pasta Salad Stands Out

Unlike heavy, mayo-only pasta salads, this version combines honey’s gentle sweetness with the bold zip of mustard. The result is a light yet creamy dressing that doesn’t overpower the fresh ingredients. It chills beautifully, making it ideal for make-ahead meals and gatherings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Salad

Short pasta (rotini, bowties, or penne work best)
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Crisp cucumber, diced
Red onion, finely chopped
Sweet bell pepper, diced
Cooked chicken or turkey (optional, for extra protein)
Fresh parsley or dill, chopped

For the Honey Mustard Dressing

Honey
Dijon mustard
Yellow mustard (for extra tang)
Olive oil
Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
Salt and black pepper
Garlic powder or minced garlic

Step-by-Step Method to Make Honey Mustard Pasta Salad

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente—tender but still firm. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. This also prevents the pasta from sticking and keeps the salad fresh.