Name: Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 sweet potatoes, diced and roasted; 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

There's something incredibly festive and cozy about this salad—think warm, spiced roasted sweet potatoes hugging tender pasta shapes with bursts of crisp apple and tangy cranberries. The Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe is a colorful crowd-pleaser that’s just as perfect for a casual family dinner as it is for holiday parties.

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 Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made this Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe for holiday gatherings multiple times, and it never fails to delight both the eyes and the palate. The balance of sweet, savory, and lightly tangy flavors keeps everyone reaching for seconds.

Festive and Fun: The pasta shapes bring a playful holiday feel that kids and adults love.
Wholesome Ingredients: Roasted sweet potatoes add warmth and nutrition, making it more than just a salad.
Exciting Flavor Combo: The crisp apples, tangy cranberries, and sharp cheddar create layers of complex taste.
Easy to Customize: You can swap nuts or greens based on what you have, and it still shines.

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 balances textures and flavors that complement the holiday season perfectly. Each ingredient plays a role, whether it’s sweetness, crunch, or a pop of freshness.

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: Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and soft texture, which pairs beautifully with the pasta.
Cinnamon: Just a sprinkle in the roasting stage adds warmth and festive aroma without overpowering.
Christmas Shaped Pasta: It’s fun and festive, but any small pasta shape works great.
Honey Crisp Apple: Perfect for a crisp, juicy bite that balances the warm potatoes.
White Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharpness and creamy chunks that melt slightly into the salad flavors.
Dried Cranberries: Their tart sweetness is essential for that holiday tang.
Walnuts: Provides crunch and a slightly bitter edge that balances fruit and cheese.
Red Onion: Finely diced to add subtle bite without overwhelming.
Baby Arugula: Gives peppery freshness that lifts the whole salad.
Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar: The dressing base that ties everything together with sweet and tangy notes.
Dijon Mustard & Garlic: Adds depth and a savory kick to the dressing.
Maple Syrup: Enhances the sweetness naturally, rounding out the dressing’s flavor.
Salt: Brings all the flavors into perfect harmony.

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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 love to switch up the greens and nuts depending on what I have on hand. Sometimes I use spinach instead of arugula or pecans instead of walnuts. Feel free to make this salad your own—it adapts so well!

Variation: One year, I swapped dried cranberries with pomegranate seeds, adding a juicy, fresh pop that everyone adored.
Dietary swaps: Use a dairy-free cheese or skip the cheese entirely if you're aiming for vegan options.
Seasonal twist: Try adding chopped roasted Brussels sprouts or parsnips for extra holiday veggies.
Make it ahead: Prepare the roasted sweet potatoes and dressing a day early for stress-free holiday entertaining.

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

Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a sheet pan with non-stick spray. Peel and dice your sweet potatoes into roughly ½-inch cubes so they cook evenly. Toss them in a bowl with about a teaspoon of cinnamon—don't be shy with it, that warm spice really makes a difference. Spread the potatoes evenly on the baking sheet and roast them for about 35 minutes, flipping halfway through. You'll want them tender but not mushy, with lightly caramelized edges. Let them cool completely before assembling the salad so they don’t wilt the greens.

Step 2: Cook and Cool the Pasta

Boil your pasta according to the package instructions—since I use festive Christmas-shaped pasta, it usually only takes about 7-9 minutes. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process. This also helps keep the pasta from sticking together while you prepare the rest of the salad.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Dressing

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, maple syrup, and salt. Whisk vigorously until the dressing emulsifies—it should look glossy and slightly thick. This dressing is the glue that pulls all those vibrant salad ingredients together with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy.

Step 4: Combine All the Salad Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the cooled roasted sweet potatoes, prepared pasta, diced Honey Crisp apple, cubed white cheddar, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, finely diced red onion, and arugula. Make sure the pieces are roughly similar in size for the best every-bite flavor and texture experience.

Step 5: Dress and Serve

Pour your dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every bite. I usually serve this salad immediately so the arugula stays nice and fresh—but it also holds up well in the fridge for a few hours if you want to prep ahead.

Top Tip

After making this salad a dozen times, I’ve learned these little tips really elevate the dish and simplify the process:

Roast Sweet Potatoes Uniformly: Cutting your sweet potatoes into even cubes ensures they roast evenly and none are undercooked or mushy.
Cool Ingredients Properly: Make sure pasta and potatoes are fully cooled before mixing with greens to prevent wilting or sogginess.
Whisk Dressing Well: Give it a good whisk for a creamy consistency that coats everything beautifully without clumping.
Don’t Overdress: Start with less dressing; you can always add more. You want every bite flavorful but not swimming in dressing.

How to Serve Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Christmas Pasta Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this salad with a few extra chopped walnuts and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. Sometimes I add a few parsley leaves or even a light grating of extra white cheddar to amp up presentation and flavor. These little touches add texture and a fresh pop of color that makes the dish look as good as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This salad stands out on its own but pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, turkey, or a simple grilled sausage. For the holidays, I often serve it alongside a warm butternut squash soup or a selection of crusty breads to soak up any leftover dressing flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

To make things extra special at holiday parties, I sometimes serve this Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe in clear glass bowls or small individual mason jars so the layers peek through beautifully. Another fun idea is to garnish individual portions with a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme for a festive touch that invites conversation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld and deepen overnight, though the arugula can get a little softer. If you want to keep the greens bright and peppery, try adding fresh arugula just before serving.

Freezing

Freezing this salad is tricky because of the fresh ingredients like apple and arugula that lose their texture. I usually freeze just the roasted sweet potatoes and pasta separately if meal prepping in advance, then add fresh ingredients and dressing after thawing.

Reheating

Leftover salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you want to warm the sweet potatoes and pasta slightly, I pop them in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds, then toss with fresh greens and dressing for a cozy, slightly warmed salad experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of pasta for the Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe?

Absolutely! While the festive Christmas-shaped pasta is a fun touch, any small pasta like rotini, shells, or elbow macaroni works just fine and will taste delicious.

How far ahead can I prepare this salad?

You can roast the sweet potatoes and make the dressing a day ahead, but I recommend assembling the salad no more than a few hours before serving to keep the arugula fresh and crisp.

Can I substitute the dried cranberries with something else?

Definitely! Dried cherries, pomegranate seeds, or even raisins are great alternatives that provide a similar sweet-tart contrast.

Is this salad suitable for vegan diets?

To make this Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe vegan, simply omit the white cheddar cheese or replace it with a plant-based cheese alternative. Make sure to check the pasta ingredients as well to avoid eggs.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely look forward to making this Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe every holiday because it brings together the best of textures and flavors in a way that's festive but easy. Whether you're hosting a big crowd or want a colorful side dish for your own family dinner, this salad delivers dependable joy. Trust me, it’s one dish you’ll want to keep on your holiday rotation!