Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta, cooking it for about 8–10 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.

Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta cools, finely dice the red onion, red bell pepper, and celery into small, uniform pieces. In a separate bowl, combine these diced vegetables and season them with celery salt and celery seed.

Grate and Chop the Carrot: Grate the carrot using a box grater until it’s finely shredded. Then, chop the grated carrot into even smaller pieces and add to the vegetable mixture.

Mix the Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, and white sugar until smooth and creamy.

Combine the Ingredients: After letting the vegetable mixture sit for about 15 minutes to meld the flavors, pour in the creamy dressing. Fold in the cooked ziti pasta.

Add the Cheese: Dice the cheddar cheese into small cubes and fold them into the pasta salad.

Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl tightly and place it in the refrigerator. Let the salad chill for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight.

Serve: When ready to serve, stir the salad and taste for seasoning. Serve cold.