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A black bowl filled with creamy pasta salad made with bowtie pasta, cherry tomatoes, herbs, and diced vegetables, with two whole tomatoes in the background.

Mom's Bacon Pasta Salad

Chef Jenn
Bacon Pasta Salad is a quick, flavorful side dish made with farfalle pasta, fresh veggies, sharp cheddar, and smoky bacon in a creamy herb dressing. Perfect for gatherings and make-ahead meals.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Midwesterm-Inspired
Servings 6
Calories 642 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound dry farfalle pasta
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
  • 1 large green bell pepper diced
  • ¾ cup sharp Cheddar cheese diced
  • 6 slices bacon diced, cooked
  • ½ cup green onions sliced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon bacon fat
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • salt
  • pepper

Instructions
 

  • Boil the pasta in a generously salted pot of water until it reaches al dente tenderness. Drain thoroughly, then run it under cold water to cool and halt the cooking process. Transfer to a spacious mixing bowl.
  • Add the halved tomatoes, diced green bell pepper, cheddar cubes, chopped bacon, and sliced green onions to the cooled pasta. Gently toss so the ingredients are evenly distributed without breaking the pasta.
  • Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, bacon fat, smoked paprika, parsley, dill, garlic powder, and onion powder in a separate bowl. Whisk until smooth, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss slowly until every piece is coated in the creamy dressing.
  • Serve right away, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days to allow the flavors to blend and deepen.

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • Chill the pasta completely before adding the dressing so it stays creamy, not greasy.
  • Use thick-cut bacon for the best texture and smoky flavor.
  • If you like extra tang, swap in half Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
  • Make the dressing a few hours ahead so the herbs fully infuse into it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cupCalories: 642kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 18gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 378mgPotassium: 533mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1409IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 2mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Keyword bacon pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, pasta salad with bacon and cheese, picnic pasta salad, summer BBQ side
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