This creamy bacon and pea pasta salad is a perfect balance of hearty ingredients and fresh flavors. Featuring tender pasta, crispy bacon, sweet peas, and a rich dressing made with mayonnaise, olive oil, and a hint of apple cider vinegar, this salad is ideal for potlucks, barbecues, or a simple family dinner. The freshly grated Parmesan adds a nutty touch that ties everything together. Easy to make and loaded with flavor, this pasta salad will quickly become a favorite side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 12 oz small pasta noodles (like elbow, rotini, or penne)
- 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
- 12 ounces of thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and diced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For the Creamy Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder (modify according to your preference)
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper (tailor to your taste)
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta: Fill a sizable pot with water and add salt, then bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook as directed on the package until it’s al dente. Afterward, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set it aside for later use.
- Prepare the bacon: While the pasta is cooking, fry or bake the bacon until it’s crispy. Once cooked, chop it into small, bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Prepare the 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. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, thawed peas, cooked bacon, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add the dressing: Drizzle the creamy dressing over the pasta combination and carefully mix until all ingredients are well covered.
- Chill and serve: For best results, cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve cold and enjoy!
Conclusion:
This creamy bacon and pea pasta salad is a satisfying and flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, sandwiches, or on its own as a hearty side. The combination of crispy bacon, tender pasta, and sweet peas mixed with the creamy dressing will leave everyone coming back for more. It’s quick, easy to prepare, and perfect for any occasion, making it a must-try for your next gathering.
Creamy Bacon and Pea Pasta Salad: A Crowd-Pleasing Delight
Ingredients
- 12 oz small pasta noodles like elbow, rotini, or penne
- 2 cups frozen peas thawed
- 12 ounces of thick-cut bacon cooked until crispy and diced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder modify according to your preference
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper tailor to your taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Fill a sizable pot with water and add salt, then bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook as directed on the package until it’s al dente. Afterward, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set it aside for later use.
- Prepare the bacon: While the pasta is cooking, fry or bake the bacon until it’s crispy. Once cooked, chop it into small, bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Prepare the 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. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, thawed peas, cooked bacon, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add the dressing: Drizzle the creamy dressing over the pasta combination and carefully mix until all ingredients are well covered.
- Chill and serve: For best results, cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve cold and enjoy!