Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese – The Comfort Bowl I Always Make for Family Gatherings

Name: Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 400 g short pasta (fusilli or penne); 1 cup frozen peas; 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese; ¾ cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup Greek yogurt; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon white vinegar; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste

INAYA 33 minutes ago

0 0 4 minutes read

Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese – The Comfort Bowl I Always Make for Family Gatherings

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

The Story & Intro

Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Cooking has been part of my life since I was a child, learning from my grandmother how to make traditional Greek dishes full of love and flavor. I believe food brings people together, especially women who want to share warmth and happiness through cooking. I like to keep things simple but tasty, mixing classic recipes with a little creativity. Sometimes my kitchen gets messy, but that’s where the fun is! Whether you’re new to cooking or have some experience, I’m here to help you enjoy making delicious meals that feel like home. Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.

This Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese always takes me back to long summer afternoons when the house felt too warm to turn on the oven. My grandmother would open all the windows, let the sea breeze come in, and make something cool, creamy, and comforting. This Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese reminds me of those moments when everyone gathered around the table, talking over each other, laughing, and sneaking extra spoonfuls straight from the bowl.

I still make this Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese when I want something easy but special. It’s the kind of dish that fits everywhere family lunches, picnics, potlucks, or even quiet evenings when I cook just for myself. The peas add sweetness, the cheese gives richness, and the creamy dressing wraps everything in comfort. This Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese feels familiar, gentle, and deeply satisfying.

Why I Love Making This Recipe

I love this recipe because it never asks too much from me. I don’t need fancy tools or rare ingredients. I can make it while chatting with my sister on the phone or helping my daughter with homework. This Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese forgives mistakes. If I add more cheese, it smiles back. If I add extra peas, it becomes sweeter and happier.

I also love how this dish brings people together. Someone always asks for the recipe. Someone always goes back for seconds. Creamy pasta salads have a way of disappearing fast, and this one disappears even faster. It feels like something every home cook should have in her back pocket.

Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets

I keep my ingredients simple, but I treat them with respect.

I choose short pasta like fusilli or penne because they hold the creamy dressing so well. I always salt the pasta water generously it should taste like the sea near my home in Crete.

Frozen peas work beautifully here. I don’t even cook them separately. I let the hot pasta wake them up gently. For cheese, I usually use sharp cheddar, but sometimes I mix in a little mozzarella if I want extra creaminess.

My dressing stays classic: mayonnaise, a touch of Greek yogurt for lightness, mustard for balance, and a little vinegar to wake everything up. Salt and black pepper are essential, and sometimes I add a whisper of garlic powder when I want more depth.

How I Make It, Step by Step

I boil the pasta until it’s tender but still has a bite. I drain it and immediately rinse it with cold water so it cools down and stops cooking. While the pasta is still slightly warm, I add the peas so they soften gently.

I stir the dressing in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy. I add the cheese last, folding it in slowly so it doesn’t clump. I taste and adjust, always trusting my tongue more than measurements.

I let the salad rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This step matters. The flavors settle, the dressing thickens, and the salad becomes what it’s meant to be.

How I Serve It at Home

I serve this Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese cold, straight from the fridge. At home, I place it in a big ceramic bowl and let everyone help themselves. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra cheese or cracked black pepper on top.

It sits beautifully next to grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or even just warm bread. On hot days, this salad becomes the main meal, and no one complains.

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. I never reheat it this dish loves the cold. If it thickens too much, I stir in a spoon of milk or yogurt to bring it back to life.

I often make it the night before guests arrive. It tastes even better the next day, which makes hosting so much easier.

100-Word Short Version

This Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese is my go-to comfort dish for warm days and busy kitchens. Tender pasta, sweet peas, and rich cheese come together in a smooth, creamy dressing that feels familiar and satisfying. I make it when I want something easy, comforting, and loved by everyone at the table. It’s perfect for picnics, family dinners, or quiet lunches at home. Simple ingredients, gentle flavors, and a lot of love make this pasta salad a timeless favorite in my kitchen.

🧾 Recipe Card

⏱️ Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

🛒 Ingredients

400 g short pasta (fusilli or penne)
1 cup frozen peas
1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
¾ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
Drain and rinse with cold water.
Add peas to the warm pasta and stir gently.
Mix mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, and vinegar in a bowl.
Combine dressing with pasta and peas.
Fold in cheese, season with salt and pepper.
Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

📝 Notes

You can add diced ham, sweetcorn, or fresh herbs if you like.

🍽️ Nutrition

Creamy, comforting, and filling. A balanced side dish with carbohydrates, protein, and fats 🧀🥗

Conclusion

This Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Cheese feels like a quiet hug in a bowl. I make it when I want ease, comfort, and smiles around my table. It reminds me that good food doesn’t need to be complicated. It only needs care, patience, and love the same lessons my grandmother taught me in her warm kitchen in Crete.