This creamy pasta salad with peas and bacon is the perfect side dish for all of your summer BBQs, picnics, and more. It is a mash up of two favorite side dishes and the combination is delicious.
Pasta salad and pea salad are both regularly on the menu at summer events. This recipe combines them into one fun side dish. It is easy to make and is sure to be a hit.
Like most picnic salads, this is a great make ahead recipe. In fact, it is better if you make it at least a couple of hours ahead of time so the flavors can meld.
This pasta salad would be great served at a fish fry, with grilled meat, at a picnic, potluck, or really just about any occasion.
Make It Dinner
If you like these flavors together, try my alfredo pasta bake with bacon and peas. It is a casserole that has a lot of similar ingredients.
Alterations and Substitutions
We love this recipe just the way it is written, but there are so many ways you could make it your own. Feel free to experiment and let me know if you stumble upon a new favorite.
Shells are such a fun shape for summery pasta salads, but you can use almost any shape. Of course elbows are classic and this would make a great macaroni salad.
Bow ties, ditalini, and rotini are also great options for pasta salad. Use whatever you have on hand.
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You can also add more veggies if you would like. Some cucumber would add great crunch and fresh flavor.
Bell peppers, celery, and diced red onion would be great options as well. Any or all of them would add texture and nutrition to the mix.
Hard-boiled eggs are always great in pasta salad as well. So feel free to chop some up and add them in for added protein.
If you don’t have time to fry up the bacon, use some good quality bacon bits from the store. There are some good ones out there.
We make our own bacon, so of course I had to use that. But there is no shame is taking a shortcut and avoiding the mess if you want to.
What if it needs more dressing?
Sometimes as the pasta salad chills, the pasta soaks up too much of the dressing.
If you want a little bit more, you can either just add a couple of extra Tablespoons of mayonnaise with another teaspoon of vinegar. Stir it into the pasta salad, taste then add salt and pepper if needed.
Storage
Macaroni salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended.
More Potluck Salads To Try
Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Bacon
Ingredients
- 16 ounces small pasta noodles
- 12 ounces frozen peas thawed
- 16 ounces bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Dressing
- 1¼ cups Miracle Whip
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Cook pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water.16 ounces small pasta noodles
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dressing ingredients.1¼ cups Miracle Whip, 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Add the drained pasta and stir to coat.
- Put the bacon, cheese, and peas in the bowl. Stir everything together.12 ounces frozen peas, 16 ounces bacon, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
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