Name: Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cup 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 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

Imagine the cozy warmth of cinnamon-spiced sweet potatoes mingling with crisp apple bites and tangy cranberries, all tossed in a vibrant, festive pasta salad. That’s exactly what you get with this Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe—a dish that’s both colorful and bursting with holiday cheer.

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 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

This salad is one of my absolute favorites during the holidays because it combines unexpected flavors that work in perfect harmony. Plus, it’s super easy to make but feels special enough for guests or family gatherings.

Festive Flavors: The warmth of roasted sweet potatoes paired with fresh apples and tart cranberries really screams holiday spirit.
Texture Play: Crunchy walnuts, chewy pasta, and creamy white cheddar create a wonderful bite every time.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can roast and prep your ingredients ahead, making it a stress-free dish to serve.
Customizable: Easily swap nuts, cheese, or greens based on what you have or dietary needs.

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

Each ingredient in this Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe was chosen thoughtfully—here to enhance flavor and texture while embodying that festive vibe we all love. Plus, you’ll find they complement each other beautifully, making every forkful a delight.

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 them with cinnamon gives a sweet, caramelized flavor that’s warm and comforting.
Cinnamon: Just a touch amplifies the sweet potatoes’ natural sweetness without overpowering the salad.
Christmas-Shaped Pasta: It’s fun and festive, but you can use any small pasta shape you like.
Honeycrisp Apple: Adds crispness and a juicy tang that balances the richness of cheese and nuts.
White Cheddar Cheese: Provides a creamy, slightly sharp bite that complements the sweet and tart elements.
Dried Cranberries: Their tart sweetness adds bursts of flavor and a lovely holiday color.
Walnuts: Adds crunch and earthy notes; toasting them lightly brings out even more flavor.
Red Onion: Finely diced for a mild zing without taking over the other flavors.
Baby Arugula: Peppery greens that add freshness and balance the salad beautifully.
Olive Oil: A good quality one makes a big difference in the dressing’s flavor.
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds acidity and sweetness to brighten the dressing.
Dijon Mustard: Gives just enough tang and emulsifies the dressing.
Garlic: Minced for subtle depth without being too overpowering.
Maple Syrup: A touch adds natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory ingredients.
Salt: Essential to bring all flavors together and enhance each ingredient.

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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 my favorite things about this Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe is how flexible it is. I love switching things up for different occasions or when I’m sneaking vegetables into the meal in fun ways.

Variation: I sometimes swap walnuts for pecans or toasted pumpkin seeds depending on what’s handy—and I always recommend toasting nuts for extra crunch and flavor.
Greens Swap: Baby kale or spinach works great if you prefer something milder than arugula.
Cheese Swap: Sharp gouda or feta can totally change things up and add your own spin.
Vegan-Friendly: Skip the cheese and replace with toasted chickpeas for protein, and sub maple syrup for a touch of agave if preferred.

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

Step 1: Roast Those Sweet Potatoes with Care

First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F. Peel your sweet potatoes and dice them into evenly sized cubes—this helps them roast uniformly. Toss these cubes with cinnamon so every bite has that toasty, warm holiday flavor. Spread the potatoes evenly on a sheet pan lined with non-stick spray to prevent sticking and roast for about 35 minutes. You'll want them tender with slightly crisp edges, which really brings out their sweetness. Be sure to let them cool on the pan to avoid mushiness later on.

Step 2: Cook Pasta to Perfection

While the sweet potatoes roast, boil your pasta according to package directions. Since this salad is all about texture, don’t overcook—al dente is just right. Drain the pasta and let it cool completely before mixing; this prevents the salad from getting soggy. I like placing it in the fridge for a bit to cool faster.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, maple syrup, and salt. The flavors harmonize into a dressing that's tangy and lightly sweet, perfect for complementing all the salad’s components. Taste and adjust the salt or maple syrup as you see fit; every olive oil and vinegar combo can vary in strength.

Step 4: Toss It All Up

In a large bowl, combine the cooled roasted sweet potatoes, pasta, diced honeycrisp apple, cubed white cheddar, dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, finely diced red onion, and baby arugula. Pour your dressing over everything and gently toss to combine. You want every bite to have a little bit of everything. I usually use clean hands or tongs for the gentlest mix.

Step 5: Serve Immediately or Chill

This salad is delicious served right away, but I also enjoy it chilled after resting in the fridge for an hour—it gives the flavors time to meld. Just bring it back to room temperature before serving for the best taste experience.

Top Tip

From my many holiday salad adventures, I’ve learned that small details make a world of difference. This Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe shines when you treat each component with care and don’t rush the prep.

Roast Evenly: Cut your sweet potatoes to uniform size so they cook evenly and get that perfect caramelized edge.
Cool Ingredients: Make sure both the pasta and sweet potatoes are cool before tossing, preventing your arugula from wilting and the salad from becoming mushy.
Toast Your Nuts: Even if not listed originally, lightly toasting walnuts boosts their flavor and crunch tenfold.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste your dressing before mixing. Balsamic and olive oil vary, so a quick taste test can help you get the balance just right.

How to Serve Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Christmas Pasta Salad - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this salad with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil for a pop of green freshness. Sometimes, a dusting of extra cinnamon or a few whole walnut halves on top adds that final holiday touch. If you like a bit of heat, a pinch of chili flakes can be a surprising but delightful addition.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or glazed ham for a classic Christmas meal. It’s also wonderful alongside warm dinner rolls or a creamy pumpkin soup. If you’re going vegetarian, try it with a hearty lentil loaf or stuffed mushrooms.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve served this salad in a festive glass bowl layered with additional arugula for height and visual appeal. You could also plate individual servings in clear glasses or small jars for a charming appetizer twist. Adding some pomegranate seeds on top makes the presentation extra festive and jewel-like.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The salad holds up well but keep in mind the greens might wilt a bit. To keep things fresh, I recommend adding the arugula just before serving or stirring it back in to revive the salad.

Freezing

Since this salad contains fresh apples and arugula, freezing isn’t the best option here. The texture changes too much for the best eating experience. Instead, focus on making it a day or two ahead and refrigerate.

Reheating

If you want to warm it up, I recommend removing the arugula and cheese first, then gently warming the sweet potatoes and pasta in the microwave or on the stove before tossing everything back together with fresh greens.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free pasta and double-check that your other ingredients are gluten-free. This salad naturally features fresh whole foods, making it easy to adapt.

How far ahead can I prepare this salad?

You can roast the sweet potatoes and cook the pasta up to a day ahead. Keep greens and dressing separate until just before serving for the freshest salad.

Can I use other types of cheese in this salad?

Yes, white cheddar is great for its creamy sharpness, but gouda, feta, or even mozzarella work well depending on your taste preferences.

What if I don’t have Christmas-shaped pasta?

No worries! Any small pasta shape like shells, elbow macaroni, or bow ties will work just as well and taste fantastic. The shapes just add a festive touch.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Pasta Salad with Sweet Potatoes Recipe holds a warm place in my heart—not just because of its festive flair but because it brings everyone together around the table with smiles and compliments. It’s an easy, show-stopping addition to your holiday menu that manages to be nutritious and indulgent at the same time. Give it a try this season; I promise it’ll become a new holiday staple for you too.