Name: Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 sweet potatoes, diced and roasted; 1 tsp cinnamon; 8 oz cooked pasta, Christmas shapes; 1 Honey Crisp apple, diced; 6 oz white cheddar cheese, cubed; 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped; 1/2 small red onion, finely diced; 2 handfuls baby arugula; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tbsp maple syrup; 1/2 tsp salt

There’s something magical about the mix of sweet, tangy, and crunchy in this **Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe** that truly captures the festive spirit. It’s colorful, fresh, and just the right balance of flavors to brighten up any holiday table or casual get-together.

A close-up view of a colorful pasta salad served in a white bowl with green holly leaf patterns on the rim. The salad has three layers: the bottom layer is shaped pasta in beige, tan, and green colors with pumpkin and tree patterns; the middle layer contains small cubes of orange sweet potato, red apple, and white cheese; the top layer is fresh green arugula leaves scattered throughout, along with small dark red dried cranberries. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a few whole red cranberries placed nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe is one of my all-time favorites because it brings together roasted sweet potatoes and festive pasta shapes with a delightful zing of maple and balsamic dressing. Every bite feels like a holiday celebration on your plate!

Festive Flavors: Cinnamon-spiced roasted sweet potatoes and tart cranberries give this salad a seasonal twist you won’t forget.
Textural Delight: The crunch of walnuts and arugula balances beautifully against soft pasta and sweet apple chunks.
Simple Prep: Despite the complex flavors, it’s surprisingly easy and quick to put together—perfect for busy holiday kitchens.
Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a side that pairs well with many mains but stands boldly on its own for potlucks or festive lunches.

A white bowl filled with a colorful pasta salad that has about five layers: the bottom layer is shaped pasta in light beige and light green shades with fun designs, the second layer has bright orange roasted sweet potato cubes scattered throughout, the third layer consists of small bright red apple cubes, the fourth layer includes green arugula leaves spread evenly over the salad, and the top layer has small dark red dried cranberries and finely chopped red onion pieces adding texture and contrast; the bowl rests on a white marbled surface with a few bright red fresh cranberries nearby, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe is in how all the ingredients complement each other — sweet, savory, tangy, and crunchy. Here's a quick peek at why each is a must-have and how to pick the best ones.

Flat lay of diced roasted sweet potatoes with visible cinnamon dusting, Christmas-shaped cooked pasta pieces in a simple white ceramic bowl, a diced Honey Crisp apple showing red and yellow skin, cubed white cheddar cheese on a white plate, a small heap of dried red cranberries, chopped walnuts scattered neatly, finely diced small red onion, fresh green baby arugula leaves arranged in a small white bowl, a small white bowl holding golden olive oil, another small white bowl with dark balsamic vinegar, a small white bowl containing smooth Dijon mustard, a single peeled garlic clove beside a tiny mound of minced garlic, a small white bowl with amber maple syrup, and a pinch of coarse salt on a white dish, all elements arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Sweet Potatoes: Roasting brings out their natural sweetness, and the cinnamon adds warmth — pick firm, bright orange ones.
Christmas-Shaped Pasta: Fun and festive, but any small pasta works—just cook until al dente.
Honey Crisp Apple: Tart and crunchy, it adds a crisp freshness—choose one that’s firm and juicy.
White Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and creamy, it adds richness—try to use quality cheddar for best flavor.
Dried Cranberries: Their tart sweetness contrasts nicely with the other ingredients.
Walnuts: Add crunch and a toasty flavor—toast them lightly if you have time for extra depth.
Red Onion: Provides a mild sharpness; finely diced so it blends well without overpowering.
Baby Arugula: Peppery greens bring freshness and color.
Olive Oil: The base of the dressing, it should be good quality to shine.
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds tang and sweetness—aged balsamic works beautifully here.
Dijon Mustard: Gives the dressing a subtle kick and emulsifies it nicely.
Garlic: Minced fresh for that unmistakable punch.
Maple Syrup: Adds a natural sweetness that marries the dressing flavors.
Salt: Essential for balancing and bringing out all the flavors.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love about this Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe is how easy it is to tailor to your tastes. I often swap the white cheddar for a sharper gouda or add toasted pecans instead of walnuts for a different crunch.

Variation: Adding pomegranate seeds gives an extra burst of juicy tartness, which a friend of mine swore turned this salad from good to unforgettable.
Diet-Friendly Option: For a lighter version, skip the cheese and add extra apples or even roasted Brussels sprouts.
Make it Vegan: Just replace the cheese with a vegan alternative or omit it entirely, and use pure maple syrup in the dressing.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe

Step 1: Roast Those Sweet Potatoes to Perfection

First things first: peel and dice your sweet potatoes into bite-sized cubes, then toss them with cinnamon in a bowl. Spread them out evenly on a baking sheet lined with non-stick spray. Roast at 400°F for about 35 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized. Let them cool completely—that step really helps keep the salad from getting soggy.

Step 2: Cook & Cool Your Pasta

While the sweet potatoes are roasting, boil your Christmas-shaped pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Pat it dry if you can; extra water in the salad can water down the dressing.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, maple syrup, and salt until they come together into a smooth, tangy dressing. The maple syrup brings a mellow sweetness that’s subtle but unforgettable.

Step 4: Mix All the Ingredients Gently

In a large bowl, combine the cooled roasted sweet potatoes, pasta, diced honey crisp apple, cubed white cheddar, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, finely diced red onion, and baby arugula. Pour your dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest textures, or chill it for an hour if you like your salad cold—either way, it’s a surefire way to impress your guests.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe a dozen times, a few little tricks have made all the difference in getting every bite just right.

Cool Before Mixing: Always let your roasted sweet potatoes and pasta cool before combining with the dressing to keep the salad crisp and fresh.
Quality Cheese: Try to find a white cheddar with a good sharpness—it really balances the sweetness from the apples and syrup.
Toast the Walnuts: I like to lightly toast chopped walnuts in a dry pan beforehand; it intensifies their flavor and adds an irresistible crunch.
Don’t Overdress: Add dressing a little at a time. You can always add more but can’t take it away once drizzled on.

How to Serve Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe

Christmas Pasta Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of adding a few extra walnut pieces or a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley right on top for a pop of color and texture right before serving. Sometimes I add a little cracked black pepper as well, just to give it a gentle edge.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with holiday roasted chicken or glazed ham. It also stands up well next to turkey or even a vegetarian lentil loaf. When I serve this, I usually add some crusty bread on the side—it’s perfect for scooping up any leftover dressing.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I love serving the salad in a festive large glass bowl to showcase all the colors. Another idea is to portion it into individual mason jars tied with red and green ribbons for a cute grab-and-go option that guests adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend storing it without dressing if you think you won’t finish it soon, then tossing it fresh before serving again.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because of the fresh apples and cheese, but you can freeze cooked pasta and roasted sweet potatoes separately for easy meal prep later.

Reheating

If you’re warming leftovers, I usually eat the salad cold, but if you want to gently warm the components, reheat the sweet potatoes and pasta separately and then toss with fresh apples and greens afterwards.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the roasted sweet potatoes and pasta a day in advance and store them in separate airtight containers. Combine everything with dressing just before serving for the freshest taste and texture.

What type of pasta works best for this salad?

While I love using Christmas-shaped pasta for the theme, you can use any small pasta shapes like shells, rotini, or bowties. The key is to cook until al dente so the salad holds up well.

Can I substitute other nuts in this recipe?

Absolutely! Walnuts add great flavor and crunch, but pecans, almonds, or even pistachios would work beautifully depending on your preference or what you have on hand.

Is this Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe suitable for dietary restrictions?

Yes, it’s quite flexible! To make it vegan, skip the cheese and use a vegan-friendly dressing. If you have nut allergies, you can omit the nuts or replace them with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Just be sure to taste and adjust seasonings accordingly.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Pasta Salad Recipe is a dish I return to year after year because it truly embodies the flavors and joy of the season in a way that’s both unexpected and comforting. I hope you’ll enjoy making it as much as I do, whether for a holiday meal or a bright, cheerful side anytime you want a splash of festive flavor.