Description
Homemade creamy pasta salad delivers summer’s fresh flavors in one delightful dish. Cool, tangy ingredients blend perfectly to create a crowd-pleasing meal for picnics, potlucks, and relaxed family dinners you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) thick cut bacon (cooked and chopped)
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) small pasta noodles
- 2 cups (280 grams) frozen peas (thawed)
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of water and cook pasta until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water to halt cooking process and prevent clumping.
- Thaw frozen peas under warm running water. Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp and golden, then crumble into small pieces. Grate parmesan cheese fresh for maximum flavor intensity.
- Create dressing by whisking mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Combine cooled pasta, thawed peas, crumbled bacon, and grated parmesan in a spacious mixing bowl. Drizzle prepared dressing over ingredients and fold gently to ensure even coating.
- Refrigerate pasta salad for 1-2 hours to allow flavors to meld and develop. If pressed for time, serve immediately. The salad can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Enhance pasta texture by cooking just shy of package instructions, ensuring a firm bite that holds up well in the salad.
- Customize the dressing by adjusting vinegar and sugar levels to match your preferred tanginess and sweetness profile.
- Make it vegetarian-friendly by swapping bacon with crispy roasted nuts or plant-based bacon alternatives for similar crunch and smoky flavor.
- Prep ahead and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, letting flavors intensify overnight in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 810 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg