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Creamy Pasta Salad

A rich and satisfying salad with tender pasta, sweet peas, and a tangy, buttery dressing. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or cozy family meals. This no-cook assembly dish comes together quickly and chills to perfection.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 420kcal
Author: Samantha Jones

Ingredients

  • 12 oz small pasta noodles (rotini, elbow macaroni, or shells)
  • 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
  • 12 oz halal bacon alternative, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  • While pasta cooks, thaw frozen peas and crumble halal bacon alternative.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper until smooth.
  • In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, peas, bacon, and Parmesan cheese. Pour dressing over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
  • Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

For added crunch, toss in 1/2 cup celery or red bell pepper strips.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Stir in fresh dill or chives before serving for extra brightness.