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Creamy Pasta Salad

Creamy Pasta Salad That'll Steal the Show at Your Next Potluck

This Creamy Pasta Salad features a delightful combination of flavors and textures, perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 12 oz Small pasta noodles Choose your favorite small shape like shells or rotini.
  • 2 cups Frozen peas Thawed.
  • 12 oz Thick cut bacon Cooked and chopped.
For the Dressing
  • 3/4 cup Mayonnaise Can swap in Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil Avocado oil is a great alternative.
  • 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar White wine vinegar can be substituted.
  • 1 tsp Granulated sugar Adjust based on your taste preference.
  • 1 tsp Salt To taste.
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder To taste.
  • 1/2 tsp Onion powder To taste.
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper To taste.
For Optional Flavor Boosts
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese Freshly grated.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • colander
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Pasta Salad
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the small pasta noodles and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, ensure frozen peas are thawed. Cook and chop bacon until crispy, then crumble.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Season with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, peas, crumbled bacon, and Parmesan cheese. Gently fold together.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and fold gently to coat.
  6. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For better flavor, chill the salad overnight. Rinse pasta to prevent clumping.

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