Poppy Seed Pasta Salad is an easy, make-ahead dinner that’s perfect for hot summer nights when you don’t feel like heating up the kitchen. It’s also great for packing up for picnics, barbecues, potlucks, and beach days!
Disclosure: This Poppy Seed Pasta Salad recipe includes affiliate links, this means I make a few cents if you buy the item after clicking my link. This costs you nothing, but it helps keep this blog running. See the rest of Food Folks and Fun’s disclosure policy here.
My Poppy Seed Pasta Salad recipe is loaded with chicken, grapes, Craisins, green onions, and toasted almonds.
I love making pasta salads during the summer; they’re cool and refreshing, two absolute musts when you’re in the thick of summer. This would be a great recipe for luncheons or showers, because it’s easy to make, makes a lot of servings, and it comes together quickly.
My favorite part of this pasta salad is the Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing. My dressing is different from other recipes out there because it has my secret ingredient in it.
What’s the Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing Secret Ingredient?
Grated onion! I only use a tablespoon of grated onion, but it packs an amazing flavor punch. Trust me, 1 tablespoon is all that you need for the best ever Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing!
Why is grated onion different from chopped onion?
Compared to chopping the onion, grating the onion damages more onions cells, thus intensifying the flavor. It’s the same concept with garlic– the more damaged cells, the more intense flavor.
More Summer Recipes with Poppy Seeds:
Cook’s Note – Poppy Seed Pasta Salad:
- For a lower fat version of the creamy poppy seed dressing, use plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. If you do so, you will need to increase the sugar to cut through the tang of the yogurt. I suggest starting with 3 Tablespoons of sugar, and adjusting for taste from there.
- Leftover rotisserie chicken would be perfect in this recipe. I didn’t have any on hand so I seasoned chicken tenderloins in the oven, and cut each into bite-sized pieces.
- If you’re serving this pasta salad as a main dish, then it will serve 6-8 people.
- If you’re serving this pasta salad as a side dish, it will serve 12-16 people.
A word about the serving bowl.
I served this Poppy Seed Pasta Salad in my favorite salad serving bowl pictures below. I love it because it’s BIG, plus I can mix the pasta salad and serve it in the same bowl. Plus, it’s pretty to look at. 🙂
Cook’s Tools – Poppy Seed Pasta Salad:
ONE YEAR AGO: Grilled Spinach Artichoke Flatbread
TWO YEARS AGO: Cheesecake Dip
THREE YEARS AGO: Brownie Bites with Peanut Butter Frosting
Poppy Seed Pasta Salad with Chicken, Grapes, Almonds & more!
Poppy Seed Pasta Salad is an easy, make-ahead dinner that’s perfect for hot summer nights when you don’t feel like heating up the kitchen. It’s also great for packing up for picnics, barbecues, potlucks, and beach days!
Print Pin RatePrep Time: 4 hours
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 12 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 342kcal
Ingredients
- CREAMY POPPY SEED DRESSING:
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup half-and-half
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon grated white onion
- 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
- PASTA SALAD:
- 1 lb. bow tie pasta
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 cup sliced green grapes
- 6 oz. package Craisins
- 1/3 cup slivered almonds toasted
- 6 green onions green and white parts sliced thin
Instructions
- MAKE CREAMY POPPY SEED DRESSING: Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend on high until combined and slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Chill dressing for 1 hour.
- MAKE PASTA SALAD: Cook pasta as per package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Transfer pasta to large serving bowl. Add chicken, grapes, Craisins, almonds, green onions, and all of creamy poppy seed dressing.
- Stir until pasta is coated in dressing, and all other ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Cover and chill at least 3 hours before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 342kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.3g | Protein: 14.8g | Fat: 10.7g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 8g | Calcium: 4% | Iron: 12%
Tried this recipe?Follow me @FoodFolksandFun
More Summer Salad Recipes:
Puff Pastry Cronuts with Buttermilk Glaze
[email protected]
August 10, 2011 at 1:10 AMno way…this looks delish!!! I love cranberries in everything! thank you girl!
xoxo
Miz Helen
August 14, 2011 at 4:45 PMHi Jillian,
This would be a great summertime salad. We would really enjoy this recipe. Hope you are having a great week end and thanks for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
See you soon!
Miz Helen
Dawn Bushnell
June 16, 2017 at 3:49 AMSo tasty and easy
Jillian
June 24, 2017 at 5:49 AMExactly, and it’s perfect for summer, too!