Pasta Salad with Bacon and Cheese
This bacon pasta salad recipe features a creamy homemade dressing, is easy to make and perfect for tailgates, weeknight dinners, cookouts and potlucks.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 490kcal
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 12 ounces dry rotini pasta
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes rinsed and halved
- 1/2 cup red onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup celery rinsed and diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
For the Homemade Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions.12 ounces dry rotini pasta
- Drain pasta and rinse under cold water until fully cooled, then allow to drain.
- Cook the bacon until crispy, drain the grease then chop into bite-sized pieces.8 slices bacon
- Make the dressing while the pasta and bacon cook: add the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large bowl and whisk together until combined.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the cooled pasta, bacon, cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, and cheddar cheese to the bowl, then toss until everything is evenly coated in dressing.1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup red onion, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup celery
- Cover and place the salad in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Freshly shredded cheese tastes best but feel free to use pre-shredded if that's what you have on hand.
- If making in advance, wait to add the bacon until just before serving.
- The salad can be eaten immediately, but it tastes best after chilling for an hour.
- Optional add-ins: 1-2 chopped boiled eggs or 1 cup of thawed frozen peas.
- If you’re pinched for time, use your favorite dressing like ranch or Caesar instead of the homemade dressing.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered container for up to 3 days. Note that the bacon will soften up as it sits.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 646mg | Potassium: 321mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 397IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 1mg