Can I make this Creamy Pasta Salad ahead of time?

Yes, and it actually tastes better the next day once all the flavors have had time to meld. For the best result, add everything except the bacon and half the dressing, store covered in the fridge, then add those components fresh just before serving.

What pasta shape works best for this creamy pasta salad?

Medium-sized shapes like shells, rotini, and farfalle work best as they catch and hold the creamy dressing well. Avoid very small or very thin pasta shapes, which tend to absorb too much dressing and become mushy more quickly.

Can I substitute the peas in this recipe?

Yes. Corn kernels, chopped carrots, or diced bell pepper all make wonderful substitutes for the peas if preferred. You can also combine multiple vegetables for extra color and texture throughout the salad.

How long does Creamy Pasta Salad keep in the refrigerator?

This pasta salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta will absorb more dressing over time, so you may want to stir in a small additional amount of mayo before serving leftovers to freshen up the consistency.

Creamy Pasta Salad The Best Bacon Loaded Easy Recipe

Name: Creamy Pasta Salad With Bacon and Peas The Ultimate Potluck Side
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; 3/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar to taste; 1 teaspoon salt to taste; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Description

Creamy Pasta Salad loaded with shell pasta, crispy chopped bacon, sweet thawed peas, and freshly grated parmesan, coated in a smooth mayo olive oil apple cider vinegar dressing. A crowd-pleasing potluck and barbecue side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

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

3/4 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon granulated sugar to taste

1 teaspoon salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Cook pasta al dente drain and rinse with cold water then dry thoroughly

2. Thaw peas cook and crumble bacon and grate parmesan

3. Whisk together mayonnaise olive oil vinegar sugar salt garlic powder onion powder and pepper

4. Add pasta peas bacon and parmesan to large bowl

5. Pour dressing over and stir until everything is evenly coated

6. Cover and chill 1 to 2 hours or serve immediately

Notes

Cook pasta only to al dente to prevent mushiness in the dressing.

For make-ahead hold back bacon and half the dressing to add fresh before serving.

Freshly grated parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-grated.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Side Dish Salad
Method: Boiling and Chilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 379
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 537mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 28mg

Keywords: creamy pasta salad, creamy pasta salad recipe, bacon pasta salad, easy pasta salad, potluck pasta salad