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Creamy Pasta Salad

Creamy Pasta Salad: The Ultimate Summer Side Dish Delight

Creamy Pasta Salad is a delightful summer side dish featuring tender pasta, crispy bacon, and sweet peas, all in a rich dressing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Small Pasta Noodles
For the Add-Ins
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas (thawed) Can be swapped for corn
  • 6 slices Thick Cut Bacon (cooked and chopped) Turkey bacon or crumbled tofu for vegetarian option
  • 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese Pecorino Romano is a good substitute
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise Greek yogurt can be a lighter alternative
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil Any neutral oil will work
  • 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar White wine vinegar or lemon juice can be used
  • 1 tbsp Granulated Sugar Can be omitted for lower sugar option
For Seasoning
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • spatula

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add small pasta noodles and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Prepare Ingredients: Thaw peas, cook bacon in a skillet until crispy, crumble bacon, and grate Parmesan cheese.
  3. Make Dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Season with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
  4. Combine Salad: In a large bowl, mix cooled pasta, peas, bacon, and Parmesan. Pour dressing over and stir until coated.
  5. Chill or Serve: Refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving or serve immediately if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 10gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

Adjust seasoning according to taste. Consider adding extra dressing before serving if it has been stored in the fridge.

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