Description

This Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Pasta Salad is a creamy, spicy, and flavorful dish perfect for parties or potlucks. Made with tender rotini pasta tossed in a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise, it is loaded with shredded cheddar, diced jalapeños, and green onions. Crispy fried onions on top add a delightful crunch to balance the creamy texture. Chill before serving for the best taste and texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 ounces rotini pasta

Dressing

1 cup cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise

Add-ins and Seasoning

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

Topping

1/2 cup crispy fried onions

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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 and rinse it under cold water to quickly cool it and stop the cooking process.
Make the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Stir these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Add the Flavorings: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure all the flavors are evenly incorporated into the creamy base.
Combine with Pasta: Fold the cooled pasta into the creamy mixture gently but thoroughly, making sure every piece of pasta is coated with the dressing and flavorings.
Chill and Serve: Transfer the pasta salad to a serving dish and evenly sprinkle the crispy fried onions over the top. Place the salad in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Enjoy: Serve the Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Pasta Salad chilled for a refreshing, creamy, and spicy treat.

Notes

This salad is best enjoyed chilled but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Adjust the amount of jalapeños according to your spice preference.
For a milder version, use pickled jalapeños and remove seeds.
Make sure to rinse the pasta with cold water to avoid clumping.
Use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream for the creamiest results.
The crispy fried onions add great texture but can be omitted for a gluten-free version.