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    Home » Soups, Salads & Light Meals » Salad

    Best German Pasta Salad (Nudelsalat)

    Published: Nov 13, 2020 · Modified: May 12, 2021 by Marita · 8 Comments

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    Here it is, probably one of the most popular salads in Germany. The German pasta salad with sausages. Of course. If you come to Germany you will find it at BBQs, birthday parties or any buffet. 

    German Pasta Salad

    (please note that this was first posted in June 2014 but the recipe has been updated in November 2020)

    The idea for this recipe post came when I prepared this salad for our London apartment complex’s annual summer picnic. This cold sausage pasta salad was my contribution. The next day our German friend Eva-Katharina invited us to a BBQ at her house to watch the World Cup Final. She had made the same delicious Pasta Salad; so I had it twice in one weekend - what a treat!!  And Germany won the 2014 World Cup that very night - I think it’s down to the lucky pasta salad with mayo and sausages 🙂

    A memory of the 2014 World Cup

    What is German Pasta Salad (Nudelsalat)?

    The salad is based on pasta, with vegetables, gherkins and mayonnaise. It is a cold pasta salad and intended to be served chilled. There are vegetarian versions of this salad, but the salad tends to be served with meat. 

    The noodle salad gained popularity in the 70s when convenience food was popular, and since then never came out of fashion. It remains one of the best pasta salad recipes in Germany. This dish is easy to prepare in advance and is loved by all ages.

    Which dressing to use for German Pasta Salad?

    The salad dressing used has a slight sweet and sour taste to it. It consists of mayonnaise, mustard (affiliate link) and pickled gherkin juice. The flavours contrast each other so that you get the sweet and sour kickback. The canned peas and carrots also add to the sweetness and the chopped gherkins to the sourness. 

    a tin of peas and carrots for German pasta salad

    Which sausages to use for this salad?

    This "Nudelsalat" recipe is versatile and can be combined with an array of sausages. They tend to be smoked or cooked. 

    • Frankfurter Sausages (affiliate link) (Wiener) 
    • Fleischwurst 
    • Bockwurst (affiliate link) (smoked sausage – you can get it at lidl) 
    • Smoked Ham or Bacon
    • Chicken Sausage
    German Pasta Salad as a main course

    What to serve with German Pasta Salad? 

    The salad is usually eaten cold. It is also served chilled. It is refreshing to eat when it’s hot outside. A perfect summer pasta salad. 

    It is a very popular dish to bring to  BBQ’s (Grillparties) and buffet because it is quite versatile, well-loved and easy to transport. 

    It goes very well with meat (even though it is already meaty.) and even fish. It’s a popular side dish for bratwurst (affiliate link), grilled meat and schnitzel.

    However, sometimes it is also eaten as a main course, as part of “Abendessen” (evening meal) with some bread. 

    My children love to eat it with fish fingers.

    More German Pasta Salad Ideas:

    Throughout Germany you will find lots of recipes that claim to be the original “Nudelsalat”. It is one of those recipes that gets passed down through the generations. Really any and everything is allowed. 

    Typical is the sweet and sour taste. So you will find sweetcorn, canned pineapple, capers, tomatoes, fresh peppers and even salami in some recipes. You can also add cheese, courgette and yoghurt. 

    Of course, there are vegetarian versions of this pasta salad. You simply omit the sausages and add more vegetables. 

    The vegetables are traditionally canned, not fresh, but this has changed with the time. 

    About my Pasta Salad Recipe:

    For me this is the best german pasta recipe. Why? It is because mum prepares it this way. The recipe is very easy to follow. It only needs a few ingredients and  I never heard a complaint about it (so far). So, for me this is the classic German pasta salad, that my children will grow up with.

    Can I make pasta salad ahead of time?

    The pasta salad is a great dish to make in advance. Make sure you store it in the fridge. It tastes great when it sits in the fridge overnight.  However, it could be that the pasta salad absorbs all the moisture of the dressing with time. You might need to refresh the dressing with a little more mayonnaise or pickled gherkin water. 

    How long does German pasta salad last in the fridge?

    I would recommend storing this pasta salad in the fridge up to 5 days. However, it will taste best if you consume it in the first two days of making it.

    Can you freeze pasta salad?

    Do not freeze this salad. Firstly, mayonnaise does not freeze well. Secondly, the pasta might get too soft when being defrosted so it may end up in a soft mess. 

    More German Salads

    If you like the taste of this sweet and sour savoury dish, you may also like to check out the egg and apple salad. The gherkins are a common ingredient in most German salads. You can also have a look at these potato salads.

    German Pasta Salad

    Best German Pasta Salad Recipe

    Marita
    A classic German dish that should not be missed at any gathering. Perfect for picnics, buffets and BBQS.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine German
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 763 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 500 g pasta 1 lb (I used fussilini/rotini)
    • 400 g sausage 1 lb (such as Frankfurter, Bockwurst or any smoked sausage will do.)
    • 250 g mayonaise 9 oz
    • 1 can peas and carrots mine was around 800 g undrained
    • 1 teaspoon mustard medium spicy
    • 100 g pickled gherkins
    • 2 teaspoon vinegar from the pickled gherkin jar
    • 2 teaspoon fresh herbs (for example chives, parsley or dill) to serve (optional)
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the pasta according to package instructions al dente. Then leave the pasta to cool.
    • Chop the sausages into 1-2 cm pieces.
    • Chop the gherkins into small bits as well.
    • Drain the liquid of the peas and carrots with a colander.
    • In a bowl mix together the mayonnaise, mustard and gherkin water.
    • Once the pasta has cooled, (the pasta can be lukewarm) mix in the gherkins, vegetables and sausages.
    • Now add the salad dressing and mix it in with the rest of the ingredients.
    • Mix in the fresh herbs if using.
    • Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
    • It is best to leave the salad to rest for around 20 minutes so the pasta can absorb the flavours. 

    Notes

    Can I make pasta salad ahead of time?

    The pasta salad is a great dish to make in advance. Make sure you store it in the fridge. It tastes great when it sits in the fridge overnight.  However, it could be that the pasta salad absorbs all the moisture of the dressing with time. You might need to refresh the dressing with a little more mayonnaise or pickled gherkin water. 

    How long does German pasta salad last in the fridge?

    I would recommend storing this pasta salad in the fridge for up to 5 days. However, it will taste best if you consume it in the first two days of making it.

    Can you freeze pasta salad?

    Do not freeze this salad. Firstly, mayonnaise does not freeze well. Secondly, the pasta might get too soft when being defrosted so it may end up in a soft mess. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 763kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 17gFat: 74gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 32gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 2004mgPotassium: 682mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 729IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword cold pasta salad, easy pasta salad, german pasta salad, pasta salad with sausages
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Bremer - a German Fish Sandwich (Fischbrötchen)
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    Filed Under: Salad, Side Dishes, Soups, Salads & Light Meals

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Phil

      September 29, 2021 at 8:07 pm

      Are the gherkin pickles you use are they sweet or dill???…

      Reply
      • Marita

        September 29, 2021 at 8:12 pm

        Hi Phil, thanks for the question. They are not sweet they are made preserved with dill.

        Reply
    2. Linda E.

      March 11, 2021 at 6:48 pm

      What kind of fresh herbs should I use??

      Reply
      • Marita

        March 11, 2021 at 6:51 pm

        Hi Linda, I chives or parsley would work well. Thanks for pointing this out, I will update the recipe. Marita

        Reply
    3. Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/

      November 11, 2020 at 6:47 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      This is an excellent idea for dinner tonight. Thanks for providing me with a ready-made one, practically:))

      Reply
    4. Alyssa Hixenbaugh

      November 11, 2020 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      I love the combination of ingredients in this salad! The pickles and sausage would make a great flavor profile! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    5. Lindsay

      November 11, 2020 at 5:46 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      This is one of those classic recipes that everyone loves! Thanks for this clearly written recipe!

      Reply
    6. Ginger

      July 22, 2014 at 7:40 pm

      Love your finals picture! And the pasta salad: sausages and pasta, what's not to like?!

      Reply

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    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. I love making German recipes and exploring the cultural history behind each dish.

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