Description
This Creamy Pasta Salad is a quick, easy, and flavorful side dish perfect for potlucks, picnics, or barbecues. Small pasta noodles, peas, crispy bacon, and Parmesan cheese are tossed in a creamy, tangy homemade dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 12 ounces small pasta noodles (such as ditalini, small shells, elbow macaroni, or rotini), cooked al dente
- 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
- 12 ounces thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For the Creamy Dressing:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside.
- Prepare Other Ingredients: While the pasta is cooking, ensure the frozen peas are thawed. Cook the bacon until crispy, drain on paper towels, and crumble it. Grate the Parmesan cheese.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Combine Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, thawed peas, crumbled bacon, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture.
- Toss to Coat: Toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Chill (Optional): Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. This step is optional, but it improves the flavor. The salad can also be served immediately.
- Serve.
Notes
- Pasta: Small pasta shapes work best in this salad, as they hold the dressing well.
- Peas: Thaw the frozen peas completely before adding them to the salad.
- Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy for the best texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Dressing: You can adjust the amount of sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper in the dressing to your preference.
- Make-Ahead: This pasta salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Serving Suggestions: This salad is a great side dish for potlucks, picnics, barbecues, or any gathering.
- Storage Store in the fridge.