This visually striking Double Decker Pasta Salad combines tender elbow macaroni with crisp green beans, sweet carrots, and tart apples for a delightful textural contrast. The creamy dressing, made with yogurt, Dijon mustard, and honey, ties the flavors together perfectly without being too heavy. Layers of flaky white tuna and crunchy walnuts add protein and richness, while grated cheddar cheese provides a savory finish. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or a light weeknight dinner, this salad is best served chilled. It’s a colorful, satisfying dish that balances sweet, savory, and tangy notes in every bite.
Double Decker Pasta Salad
Description
This visually striking Double Decker Pasta Salad combines tender elbow macaroni with crisp green beans, sweet carrots, and tart apples for a delightful textural contrast. The creamy dressing, made with yogurt, Dijon mustard, and honey, ties the flavors together perfectly without being too heavy. Layers of flaky white tuna and crunchy walnuts add protein and richness, while grated cheddar cheese provides a savory finish. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or a light weeknight dinner, this salad is best served chilled. It&# 226;ÂÂs a colorful, satisfying dish that balances sweet, savory, and tangy notes in every bite.Ingredients
Directions
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Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions until al dente; drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
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Blanch fresh green beans in boiling water for 2 minutes, then immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to retain crispness and color.
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Drain green beans well and cut them in half if they are long.
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In a blender or food processor, combine plain low-fat yogurt, Dijon mustard, and honey; blend until smooth and creamy.
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Prepare a large glass trifle dish or serving bowl with clear sides to showcase the layers.
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Spread half of the cooked pasta evenly on the bottom of the dish.
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Layer half of the green beans, grated carrots, diced apple, and drained canned white tuna over the pasta.
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Drizzle half of the creamy dressing evenly over the vegetable and tuna layer.
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Repeat the layering process with the remaining pasta, green beans, carrots, apple, and tuna.
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Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top layer.
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Sprinkle chopped walnuts and grated Cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
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Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving cold.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 246.0kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 1.8g3%
- Saturated Fat 0.2g1%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 0.0mg0%
- Total Carbohydrate 52.0g18%
- Dietary Fiber 3.4g14%
- Sugars 0.6g
- Protein 8.8g18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
pasta, salad, tuna, green beans, apples, carrots, walnuts, cheddar, yogurt, mustard, honey, layered, picnic, lunch, side dish, macaroni, chilled, potluck, vegetables, protein
