Name: Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups sweet potatoes, diced; 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

I absolutely adore the cozy, colorful mix that makes this Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe stand out. It’s that perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and crunchy that makes every bite feel like a holiday hug—trust me, once you try it, you'll want to bring it to every seasonal 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 Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This salad feels like an unexpected treat, combining the warmth of roasted sweet potatoes with the cool, crisp bite of apple and arugula. I love how it’s ready in under an hour yet looks and tastes like it took way more effort than it did.

Seasonal Twist: Roasted sweet potatoes and dried cranberries bring festive holiday flavors you don’t see in every pasta salad.
Textural Delight: Crunchy walnuts, crisp apple, and tender pasta create a wonderful contrast in each forkful.
Easy to Make: Simple steps and common ingredients mean you can whip this up even on a busy day.
Flexible & Customizable: You can swap ingredients to suit what you have and your dietary preferences—I'll share some ideas below!

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

This salad’s charm comes from how each ingredient plays its part—sweet, savory, fresh, and crunchy all mingling beautifully. When shopping, I always look for a crisp Honeycrisp apple and the freshest arugula to keep those flavors bright and lively.

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: They roast up creamy and sweet, a cozy base that’s not mushy and adds hearty texture.
Cinnamon: Just a touch brings warmth to the sweet potatoes, enhancing their natural flavor.
Christmas-Shaped Pasta: Fun shapes add a festive vibe, but any small pasta works perfectly.
Honey Crisp Apple: Adds a juicy crunch and fresh tartness to balance the richer ingredients.
White Cheddar Cheese: Cubes bring a sharp, creamy contrast that’s irresistible.
Dried Cranberries: These bring bursts of sweet-tart notes, perfect for a holiday salad.
Walnuts: Chopped for crunch and a nutty depth—toast them lightly if you want extra flavor.
Red Onion: Finely diced to add just a hint of pungency without overpowering the salad.
Baby Arugula: Peppery greens that add freshness and a lovely bite.
Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Dijon Mustard, Garlic, Maple Syrup, Salt: The dressing brings everything together—sweet, tangy, and savory, making the salad pop!

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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 most about this Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often tweak the nuts or cheese depending on what’s in my fridge or what guests prefer.

Variation: I once swapped the white cheddar for feta and added toasted pecans instead of walnuts—delicious! You could also use goat cheese for a creamier texture.
Make it Vegan: Replace the cheese with a plant-based alternative and swap honey maple syrup with agave syrup.
Seasonal Swaps: In spring or summer, try adding fresh peas or cherry tomatoes for a fresh burst.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes with a Warm Cinnamon Kiss

Start by peeling and dicing the sweet potatoes into bite-size cubes—aim for uniform pieces so they roast evenly. Toss them in a bowl with a teaspoon of cinnamon; this little spice twist adds cozy warmth that pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness. Spread them out on a parchment-lined or spray-coated sheet pan so they roast up crisp on the edges without steaming. Roast at 400°F for about 35 minutes, turning once or twice to get an even golden color. Let them cool—this step is crucial so your salad doesn’t wilt the greens or melt the cheese.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta and Prepare the Dressing

While the potatoes roast, cook your pasta according to the package directions—drain and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, maple syrup, and salt in a small bowl. This dressing beautifully balances tang, sweetness, and a hint of mustard sharpness—it’s the magic glue that holds everything together.

Step 3: Toss Everything Together

In a large bowl, combine your cooled sweet potatoes, pasta, diced apple, cheese cubes, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, finely diced red onion, and handfuls of baby arugula. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything’s well coated and inviting. Be gentle so you don't bruise the arugula or mash the sweet potatoes.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

This salad shines best served immediately when the flavors are vibrant and textures fresh. But if you have leftovers, it holds up nicely once chilled.

Top Tip

From making this Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few little hacks that truly elevate the final dish.

Roast Sweet Potatoes Evenly: Cutting your sweet potato cubes evenly ensures uniform roasting, avoiding some pieces cooking faster than others.
Cool Ingredients Before Tossing: Let your sweet potatoes and pasta cool completely before mixing with the arugula and dressing to keep everything crisp and fresh.
Use Fresh Maple Syrup: I find that real maple syrup adds an authentic sweetness that balances the tang in the dressing better than processed syrups.
Toast Your Nuts: Lightly toasting walnuts before chopping enhances their flavor and crunch, giving your salad an extra punch.

How to Serve Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Festive Pasta Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish this salad with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or extra chopped walnuts on top—it adds a fresh, green pop and an inviting crunch that guests love.

Side Dishes

This pasta salad pairs beautifully with roast chicken or a simple grilled salmon when I want to serve a full meal. For holiday parties, I enjoy it alongside crusty bread and a light soup or stew.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I served this salad in a hollowed-out small pumpkin for a festive presentation that wowed everyone at the table—the colors just pop against the orange pumpkin shell. It’s also lovely layered in clear glass bowls so you can see all the vibrant colors and shapes!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps well for up to 3 days. I recommend giving it a gentle stir before serving again, as the dressing settles a bit.

Freezing

This salad doesn’t freeze well because of the fresh ingredients and dressing, so I usually recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated only.

Reheating

Since it’s best served cold or room temperature, I typically don’t reheat this salad. If you want warm pasta, just keep the pasta and potatoes separate and add the greens and dressing fresh when ready to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta for this Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe?

Absolutely! While I love using Christmas-shaped pasta for the festive touch, any small pasta like rotini, bowtie, or shells will work just as well. Just make sure to cook it al dente to keep some bite.

How can I make this salad vegan-friendly?

To make the Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe vegan, swap the white cheddar cheese for your favorite plant-based cheese or simply omit it. Replace the maple syrup with agave syrup if you’d rather avoid honey or traditional maple syrup.

Can I prepare this pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep the components ahead—roast the sweet potatoes and cook the pasta a day before. Keep the arugula and dressing separate until just before serving to maintain freshness and crisp texture.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a gentle toss before serving again, as the dressing may settle. Avoid freezing as textures and flavors don’t hold up well.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe holds a special place at my holiday table—it’s a colorful, comforting crowd-pleaser that somehow manages to be hearty yet light. I’m confident you’ll enjoy bringing this joyous, flavorful dish to your next celebration, and it might just become a new favorite in your rotation like it did in mine!