Description
This Creamy Pasta Salad is a delicious and satisfying dish combining tender pasta noodles, sweet peas, crispy bacon, and freshly grated parmesan cheese all tossed in a flavorful creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and a blend of spices. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish, this salad is easy to prepare and can be served chilled or immediately.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 12 oz small pasta noodles
- 2 cups frozen peas (thawed)
- 12 oz thick cut bacon (cooked and chopped)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Creamy Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp granulated sugar (to taste)
- 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, boil water and cook the pasta noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
- Prepare Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, ensure the peas are thawed, the bacon is cooked and chopped into pieces, and the parmesan cheese is freshly grated. Set these ingredients aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until well combined and smooth.
- Combine Salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, thawed peas, chopped bacon, and parmesan cheese. Pour the creamy dressing over the salad and stir thoroughly to evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld, or serve immediately if preferred.
Notes
- For best flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
- You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- Adjust the seasoning in the dressing to your preference, especially salt and sugar.
- This salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe (~140g)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg