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

There’s something truly delightful about this **Festive Sweet Potato Pasta Salad Recipe**—it marries cozy roasted sweet potatoes with crisp apples and tart cranberries, all tossed in a tangy, sweet dressing. It’s a colorful, hearty dish that’s just perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a little festive cheer on your plate.

This image shows a close-up of a white bowl filled with a colorful pasta salad. The salad has three main layers: the bottom layer is made of short shaped pasta in beige and green colors with unique cut-out patterns; on top of the pasta, there are small green leaves of arugula scattered around. The top layer consists of bright orange cubes of roasted sweet potatoes, red apple pieces, white cubes of cheese or tofu, and dark red dried cranberries. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with some red cranberries around it. A golden fork is visible on the left side of the image near the bowl. The lighting is bright and natural, highlighting the fresh and vibrant colors of the salad 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 Sweet Potato Pasta Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Sweet Potato Pasta Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Sweet Potato Pasta Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This salad isn’t just pretty to look at; it’s a celebration of textures and flavors that work in perfect harmony. I love how the warmth from the roasted sweet potatoes contrasts with the cool crunch of apples and the bite from red onions, all brought together with a maple-balsamic dressing that feels just right.

Unique Flavor Combination: Sweet, savory, tangy, and nutty elements combine for a complex taste you won’t forget.
Festive Presentation: Christmas-shaped pasta adds a touch of whimsy and seasonal fun.
Perfect Balance: The salad balances comfort food vibes with fresh, healthy ingredients.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepared in advance and still tastes fresh and vibrant.

The image shows a bowl of pasta salad in a white bowl with a festive green and red pattern on the edges, placed on a white marbled surface. The salad has three main layers: the bottom layer is made of short, shaped pasta pieces in light beige and pale green colors with intricate designs. The middle layer consists of diced orange sweet potatoes and cubes of light beige cheese, interspersed with bright red apple chunks and small pieces of purple onion. The top layer is made of fresh green arugula leaves scattered across, along with small dark dried cranberries. The textures vary from smooth pasta and cheese to crisp apple and leafy greens, all combined in a bright, colorful arrangement. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Festive Sweet Potato Pasta Salad Recipe plays an important role, creating layers of flavor and texture. When you shop for these, go for the freshest sweet potatoes and crisp apples to really bring the salad to life.

Flat lay of diced roasted sweet potatoes with a light dusting of cinnamon, a small pile of colorful Christmas-shaped pasta, diced Honeycrisp apple, white cheddar cheese cubed into perfect squares, a small heap of dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, finely diced red onion, two handfuls of fresh baby arugula leaves, and four small white ceramic bowls each containing olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and golden maple syrup, all arranged symmetrically 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: Roasting intensifies their natural sweetness and softens their texture, making them a comforting base.
Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a subtle spice that complements the sweet potatoes beautifully.
Christmas-Shaped Pasta: I love how the festive shapes make this salad fun and special for the holidays.
Honey Crisp Apple: Its juicy, crisp texture contrasts nicely with roasted sweet potatoes and adds freshness.
White Cheddar Cheese: Cubed cheddar brings a creamy sharpness that adds depth without overpowering.
Dried Cranberries: Their tartness provides pops of flavor and a lovely chewy texture.
Walnuts: Toast them lightly to boost their nutty flavor and add satisfying crunch.
Red Onion: Finely diced for just the right touch of sharpness and bite.
Baby Arugula: Offers a peppery green contrast, balancing the sweeter ingredients.
Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Dijon Mustard, Garlic, Maple Syrup, Salt: These dressing ingredients combine to bring a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, sharp, and savory notes.

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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

I encourage you to really make this salad your own! I sometimes swap out arugula for baby spinach if I’m catering to picky eaters, and I’m not afraid to add a bit more maple syrup if I want that extra touch of sweetness for a dessert-style twist.

Variation: On chilly nights, I toss in some roasted pecans instead of walnuts—adds a lovely crunch and a different nutty flavor that I adore.
Make it Vegan: Just skip the cheddar or try a plant-based cheese alternative to keep it dairy-free and still delicious.
Seasonal Swap: In spring, I use fresh peas for a bright punch instead of dried cranberries—it’s delightful and fresh.

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

Step 1: Roast Sweet Potatoes to Sweet Perfection

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees (F). While it warms up, peel and dice your sweet potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes. Toss them in cinnamon—this little spice magic adds that extra festive flavor. Spread them evenly on a non-stick sprayed sheet pan. Roast for about 35 minutes, turning halfway, until they’re tender and caramelized at the edges. Let them cool—it’s key so the salad doesn’t lose its crisp texture later.

Step 2: Boil and Cool Your Festive Pasta

Cook the Christmas-shaped pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain it well, then spread it out on a baking sheet or large plate to cool quickly and avoid clumping. Cool pasta blends better with the crisp veggies and prevents the salad from getting soggy.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Flavor-Packed Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt until it’s emulsified and balanced. Taste as you go—this dressing is where the magic happens, so adjusting the acidity or sweetness to your palate makes all the difference.

Step 4: Toss Everything Together

In a large bowl, combine cooled roasted sweet potatoes, cooled pasta, diced Honey Crisp apple, cubed cheddar, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, finely diced red onion, and baby arugula. Pour your dressing over and gently toss everything until well coated and perfectly mixed. The key here is gentle tossing—don’t smash the potatoes or apples.

Step 5: Serve or Chill

Serve immediately for that perfect fresh mix of temperatures and textures, or let the salad chill for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle even more. Both ways taste fantastic!

Top Tip

From my experience making this salad multiple times, these tips really help nail the perfect balance and texture every time.

Don’t Skip Cooling: Make sure your pasta and roasted sweet potatoes are completely cooled before tossing with dressing to avoid sogginess.
Toast Your Walnuts: Pop walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until fragrant—it boosts flavor big time.
Adjust the Dressing: Taste the dressing before mixing; if you like it sweeter or tangier, tweak the maple syrup or balsamic vinegar amounts.
Handle Arugula Gently: Toss arugula in last to keep its delicate leaves from wilting and losing that crisp peppery bite.

How to Serve Festive Sweet Potato Pasta Salad Recipe

Sweet Potato Pasta Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to finish the salad with a sprinkle of extra chopped walnuts and a few fresh arugula leaves on top for a pretty presentation. Sometimes, I add a few pomegranate seeds when in season—they add a jewel-like pop of color and juicy tartness.

Side Dishes

This pasta salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, turkey, or even a simple roasted vegetable platter. For a holiday spread, I serve it alongside cranberry sauce and some warm dinner rolls—makes for a balanced, festive meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to serve this salad in a large festive bowl surrounded by edible flowers or fresh herbs. For kids, using the Christmas-shaped pasta makes it extra fun and encourages them to eat their veggies!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because the salad has roasted veggies and a vinegar-based dressing, it holds up really well and even tastes better after the flavors meld overnight.

Freezing

Honestly, I don’t recommend freezing this salad—pasta and apples don’t thaw well, and the texture can get mushy. Instead, aim to enjoy it fresh or refrigerated.

Reheating

If you want to warm it up slightly, remove the arugula first and gently heat just the sweet potatoes and pasta in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute—then stir in fresh arugula to keep that peppery freshness. Otherwise, I love this salad chilled or at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different pasta shape for this Festive Sweet Potato Pasta Salad Recipe?

Absolutely! While the Christmas-shaped pasta adds festive charm, you can use any small or medium pasta shape like rotini, shells, or farfalle. Just make sure it holds the dressing well.

What’s the best way to dice the sweet potatoes for this salad?

I like to cut them into roughly 1-inch cubes so they roast evenly and hold their shape in the salad. Be sure to keep the pieces uniform in size to avoid some getting too mushy while others remain crunchy.

Can I prepare this Festive Sweet Potato Pasta Salad Recipe in advance?

Yes! You can roast the sweet potatoes and cook the pasta a day ahead and store them separately. Just combine everything and toss with dressing a few hours before serving for best texture and flavor.

Is this salad suitable for holiday potlucks?

Definitely! This Festive Sweet Potato Pasta Salad Recipe travels well, is easy to serve at room temperature, and offers a fresh option alongside heavier holiday dishes. Just bring the dressing separately and toss before serving to keep it from getting soggy.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Sweet Potato Pasta Salad Recipe has become a treasured part of my holiday table. It’s got just the right balance of festive fun and comforting flavors that make everyone ask for seconds. Whenever I make this, I think about how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special. I can’t wait for you to try it and make your own memories around this vibrant, flavorful salad!