Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe

I always enjoy preparing a Bacon Pasta Salad that brings together crisp bacon, tender fusilli, and vibrant peas. A zesty blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and garlic forms a creamy dressing that is simply irresistible. Every bite feels like a celebration of flavors and textures.

I recently came across this awesome creamy pasta salad recipe that really blew my mind. I decided to experiment with fusilli and bowtie pasta, tossing in lots of thawed peas and crispy bacon to make a Bacon Pasta Salad that’s different and exciting.

I mixed together 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with the same amount of sour cream, adding 1 tbsp of lemon juice and one minced garlic clove for a tangy twist, and seasoned it with 1/2 tsp salt and freshly ground black pepper. Then I combined everything until the pasta was nicely coated.

Sometimes I’ll toss in a bit of chopped parsley for an extra pop of freshness. It reminded me of those best salad recipes I used to find in my favorite food blogs, where a little twist on a classic Cold Pasta dish makes all the difference.

Trust me, this Creamy Pasta Salad is a fantastic side dish that you totally have to try.

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I really like this recipe because it’s super easy to make even when i feel lazy, and the ingredients all come together surprisingly well.
2. I love the way the crispy bacon mixes with the smooth creamy dressing; it gives the dish a really yummy crunch that just makes every bite fun.
3. I enjoy that the small pop of lemon juice and garlic adds special flavor without being too overpowering, which makes it feel fresh and exciting.
4. I also like that it’s a great dish for potlucks or family dinners, because not only does it taste awesome chilled, but it always seems to be a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

• Pasta is full of carbs to give you energy though it doesn’t pack much fibre.

  It really forms the base of the dish.

• Bacon adds a salty, smoky crunch with protein but its a bit high in fat so its not the healthiest.
• Peas provide a small dose of fibre and vitamins, giving a gentle sweetness that livens the salad up.
• Mayonnaise gives a rich creamy texture but its quite heavy so be careful with the amount you use.
• Sour cream gives a tangy smoothness and helps bring all the flavours together nicely.
• Lemon juice adds a fresh, tart kick that nicely balances out the richness in the salad.

Ingredient Quantities

• 8 oz pasta (fusilli or bowtie)
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional: 2 tbsp chopped parsley

How to Make this

1. Boil the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water as per the package directions then drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.

2. While the pasta cooks, fry the bacon until it’s really crispy and then let it cool and crumble it into bite-sized pieces.

3. In a big bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and a bit of freshly ground black pepper.

4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl along with the thawed peas and crumbled bacon.

5. Stir everything together so that all the pasta is nicely coated with the creamy dressing.

6. Let it chill in the fridge for at least one hour so that the flavors can blend together well.

7. Once it’s chilled, give it a good stir and taste it, then adjust the salt and pepper if you feel like it needs more flavor.

8. If you want to add a fresh look and taste, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley on top before serving.

9. Serve it as a great side dish for any dinner, potluck, or barbecue. Enjoy your creamy pasta salad!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot for boiling the pasta in salted water
2. Colander for draining and rinsing the pasta
3. Frying pan for crisping up the bacon
4. Big mixing bowl to combine the pasta, dressing, and other ingredients
5. Measuring cups and spoons to accurately portion the mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, and salt
6. Spatula or large spoon for stirring everything together
7. Refrigerator to chill the pasta salad and let all the flavors blend in

FAQ

Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Instead of bacon, you could use turkey bacon or even a smoked tofu crumbled up if you’re tryin to cut the pork.
• If you dont have the frozen peas, fresh green beans or edamame work pretty well to give some crunch.
• You can swap sour cream with Greek yogurt which adds a tangy kick but cuts down on the fat a bit.
• If mayonnaise isn’t your jam, you might wanna try a light mayo or even avocado puree mixed with some lime juice for creaminess.
• Instead of fresh parsley, chopped cilantro or chives can add a nice flavor twist if thats more your style.

Pro Tips

1. Try saving a bit of the pasta water before draining it. It can help thin out the creamy mix and make it stick to the pasta better so you dont end up with dry bits.

2. Make sure ya dont overcook the pasta. Check it a minute or two earlier than the package suggests and rinse it immediately to keep it firm so your salad doesnt turn mushy.

3. Letting the salad chill for a little extra time can really boost the flavors, so if you can, leave it in the fridge for a couple of hours instead of just one hour.

4. When you mix in the garlic, crush it a bit first. This simple trick helps release more of its flavor so that the dressing tastes bolder and more tasty.