Description
This Creamy Pasta Salad is loaded with crispy bacon, sweet peas, and tender pasta shells tossed in a rich, tangy homemade dressing. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for BBQs, potlucks, family dinners, and busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 12 oz small pasta noodles (shells or similar)
- 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
- 12 oz thick-cut bacon, cooked and chopped
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
For the Creamy Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp granulated sugar (to taste)
- 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder (to taste)
- ½ tsp onion powder (to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
- While the pasta cooks, thaw peas, cook and chop the bacon, and grate the parmesan cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, peas, bacon, and parmesan cheese.
- Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and stir until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1–2 hours before serving, or serve immediately. Stir before serving.
Notes
- For best flavor, chill at least 1 hour before serving.
- If the pasta salad thickens after refrigeration, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of mayonnaise to refresh it.
- Freshly grated parmesan melts better into the dressing than pre-shredded cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg