Sweet Potato Pasta Salad

I’m all about balancing flavors, and this sweet potato pasta salad does just that. With a perfect mix of sweet, savory, and a little crunch, it’s finished off with my homemade poppy seed dressing that pulls everything together.

Sweet Potato Pasta Salad

In my quest to to shake up a classic, I took some liberties with traditional potato salad and gave it a twist with sweet potatoes. Roasted until perfectly browned, they are a hearty bite that’s a refreshing change from the usual. The sweetness pairs well with a poppy seed dressing I’ve made lighter and brighter than the standard mayo version.

To give this salad some crunch and balance, I mix in red onion, shredded carrots, and broccoli, plus a handful of walnuts and dried cranberries. A sprinkle of Parmesan ties everything together, making it just as good as a side dish or a filling meatless meal.

Why I Love This Recipe

• Sweet potatoes: Roasted for a hearty, sweet fall vibe.
• Broccoli florets: Adds a fresh crunch and some green.
• Carrots: Shredded for extra texture and subtle sweetness.
• Parmesan cheese: Savory, nutty, and brings it all together. Pecorino Romano would also be a good choice.
• Red onion: A sharp, punchy contrast to balance the sweet.
• Pepitas: Toasty crunch that’s perfect for fall.
• Dried cranberries: A chewy pop of sweetness. Golden raisins would also work.
• Walnuts: Rich, buttery crunch to complement the sweet potatoes. You could also use pecans or pine nuts.
• Tri-color rotini pasta: Holds the dressing well and adds color.

Poppy Seed Dressing Ingredients for Pasta Salad

The poppy seed dressing is the perfect accompaniment to the roasted sweet potatoes and pasta.

• Mayonnaise: The creamy base that gives the dressing its richness.
• Milk: Lightens it up just enough without losing creaminess.
• White wine vinegar: Adds a tangy brightness to balance the sweet.
• Dijon mustard: Brings a little bite and depth of flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Just a touch for sweetness to complement the tang.
• Poppy seeds: For that signature crunch and a bit of flair.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and brings it together.

How To Make Sweet Potato Pasta Salad

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Recipe Tips

Here are some tips to make this sweet potato pasta salad even more delicious and adaptable.

• Mix it up. If you want to switch things up, try adding goat cheese, feta, or mozzarella balls for extra creaminess and flavor.
• For a heartier dish, toss in some hard salami, chicken, or salmon—it’ll make this salad feel like a complete meal.
• Prep ahead. You can roast the sweet potatoes and make the dressing a day in advance to save time when you’re ready to serve.
• This salad keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days, so it’s perfect for meal prep or enjoying the next day.
• Don’t be afraid to get creative with the veggies. Toss in whatever you have on hand—zucchini or bell peppers can add a nice twist.
• If poppy seed dressing is not your favorite, a lemony vinaigrette makes a great alternative.

Storage and Leftovers

Here are some simple tips for storing and enjoying leftovers of this sweet potato pasta salad.

• Keep it fresh. Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
• If the pasta salad gets a bit dry, just add more dressing. You can whip up some extra poppy seed dressing or grab a store-bought option to revive it.
• Make ahead. If you prep the salad in advance, wait to add the dressing until just before serving for the best flavor and texture.

More Sweet Potato Recipes

Here are a few more ways to enjoy sweet potatoes this season:

• Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole
• Sweet Potato Muffins
• Sausage and Sweet Potato Hash
• Sweet Potato Pie

MORE PASTA SALAD RECIPES

Pasta salads are always a reliable go-to when I need something easy, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Here are a handful of my pasta salad recipes for you to try out:

• Italian Pasta Salad
• Antipasto Pasta Salad
• Pepperoni Pasta Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Bacon Ranch Tortellini Salad
• Rainbow Macaroni Salad
• Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
• Horseradish Macaroni Salad

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Sweet Potato Pasta Salad

With a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a little crunch, this sweet potato pasta salad is tied together by a flavorful poppy seed dressing that makes every bite delicious.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time12 minutes mins

Chilling1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 42 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Sweet Potato Pasta Salad

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 454kcal

Author: Cathy Pollak

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons
• mixing bowls
• Sheet Pan
• Pasta Pot
• Knife
• peeler
• grater

Ingredients

Sweet Potato Pasta Salad:

• 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 3/4' cubes
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 16 oz. tri-colored rotini pasta
• 1/2 cup sliced red onion
• 2 large carrots, peeled and grated
• 3 cups bite-sized broccoli florets (you may need to chop to get them this size)
• 1 cup walnut halves
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin) seeds

Poppy Seed Dressing:

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2-1/2 tbsps. poppy seeds
• 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/8 tsp. table salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 °F.
• Place sweet potato pieces on a large baking sheet. Toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 3/4' cubes, 1 tbsp. olive oil, salt and pepper
• Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente. Drain and rinse pasta with cool water nd set aside to completely cool down.
  16 oz. tri-colored rotini pasta
• While pasta is cooking, slice the onion and peel and grate the carrots.
  1/2 cup sliced red onion, 2 large carrots, peeled and grated
• To a large mixing bowl, add pasta, red onion, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, walnuts, cranberries, cheese and pepitas.
  3 cups bite-sized broccoli florets (you may need to chop to get them this size), 1 cup walnut halves, 1 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin) seeds
• In a small bowl add all the dressing ingredients and mix until fully combined.
  3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2-1/2 tbsps. poppy seeds, 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard, 1/8 tsp. table salt
• Pour dressing over salad and toss until fully coated.
• Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for an hour. (It can be cold, but you don't want it ice cold at serving time.)

Notes

Make ahead: The sweet potatoes can be roasted and the dressing prepared up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated in separate airtight containers. Assemble when ready to serve.

For optimal outcomes when making this sweet potato pasta salad, I recommend referring to the recipe details within the post. The recipe post commonly includes valuable notes, expert tips and frequently asked questions, that are not presented in the recipe card, often including how to make this recipe dairy-free, gluten free or vegan and ideas for healthy ingredient substitutions or variations.

The provided nutrition information is merely an approximation, as variations can arise depending on the specific ingredients/brands you select.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Sweet Potato Pasta Salad

Amount Per Serving (161 g)

Calories 454 Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Fat 22g34%

Saturated Fat 4.1g26%

Polyunsaturated Fat 12g

Monounsaturated Fat 4.6g

Cholesterol 13.5mg5%

Sodium 329mg14%

Potassium 458mg13%

Carbohydrates 54g18%

Fiber 5.3g22%

Sugar 17.8g20%

Protein 12g24%

Vitamin A 323IU6%

Vitamin C 26mg32%

Calcium 140mg14%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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