Go Back
+ servings
Creamy Pasta Salad

Creamy Pasta Salad That Will Steal the Show at Potlucks

A delicious Creamy Pasta Salad with Bacon and Peas that's perfect for potlucks.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 2 cups Small Pasta Noodles Elbow macaroni or shells
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas Thawed
  • 6 slices Thick Cut Bacon Cooked until crispy
  • 1 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise Can substitute with Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar Adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust if watching sodium intake
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper Adjust to taste

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Skillet
  • Medium Bowl
  • large mixing bowl
  • plastic wrap

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Boil salted water in a large pot. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions for 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Thaw frozen peas. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat for 6-8 minutes until crispy. Crumble bacon into bite-sized pieces and grate Parmesan cheese.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Add salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to taste.
  4. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, peas, crumbled bacon, and grated Parmesan. Pour dressing over and stir until well coated.
  5. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1-2 hours before serving. Stir gently before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 8gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 1mg

Notes

To enhance flavor, prepare a few hours or a day in advance. Save some dressing for later if making ahead.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!