Creamy Pasta Salad with Bacon, Peas, and Parmesan Recipe
This creamy pasta salad is a delightful combination of tender pasta, sweet peas, crispy bacon, and a tangy homemade dressing. Perfectly chilled and tossed with parmesan cheese, it makes an ideal side dish for summer picnics, barbecues, or light meals. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe balances creamy, savory, and slightly tangy flavors with a satisfying texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz small pasta noodles
- 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
Meat and Cheese
- 12 oz thick cut bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, boil water and cook the pasta noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool down.
- Prepare Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, ensure the peas are thawed, the bacon is cooked and chopped into pieces, and the parmesan cheese is freshly grated. Set these aside for assembly.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Whisk thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, thawed peas, chopped bacon, and grated parmesan. Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients. Stir gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and salad to chill. Alternatively, serve immediately if preferred.
Notes
- For best flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least an hour before serving.
- You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- Mayonnaise can be replaced with a low-fat or vegan mayo if desired.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and sugar based on your preference.
- This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, pea pasta salad, picnic salad, summer pasta salad, easy pasta salad
