Best German Pasta Salad (Nudelsalat)
A classic German dish that should not be missed at any gathering. Perfect for picnics, buffets and BBQS.
Servings 4 people
Calories 728kcal
Cost $7
Ingredients
- 250 g pasta short pasta such as rotini, fusilli, or macaroni
- 200 g sausage smoked sausage (Frankfurters, kielbasa, or bologna), sliced into ½-inch pieces.
- 1 can peas and carrots can mixed peas and carrots, drained. You can subsitute it with a can of sweetcorn, chopped peppers and cooked frozen peas instead
- 4 dill pickles large pickled gherkins (100 g / 3.5 oz)
For the dressing
- 200 g mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon mustard ideally German mustard but Dijon will work as well.
- 2 tablespoon vinegar from the pickled gherkin jar
To serve
- 2 tablespoon fresh herbs for example chives, parsley or dilll to serve (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta Cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.250 g pasta
- Prepare the ingredients: While pasta cooks, slice sausage into ½-inch rounds and finely chop pickles. Drain peas and carrots completely200 g sausage , 1 can peas and carrots , 4 dill pickles
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, and pickle juice until smooth and creamy.1 teaspoon mustard , 2 tablespoon vinegar from the pickled gherkin jar, 2 tablespoon fresh herbs , 200 g mayonnaise
- Combine Everything: In a large bowl, combine still warm pasta, sausage, pickles, and drained vegetables. Pour dressing over mixture and toss until everything is well coated. Fold in fresh herbs if using.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to let flavors meld. For best results, chill overnight before serving.salt and pepper to taste
Notes
Make ahead
This is a great dish to make in advance. Make sure you store it in the fridge. It tastes great after it sat 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 to store?
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: 728kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 25g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 955mg | Potassium: 282mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 142IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg
