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Classic Bacon Pasta Salad on a black plate.

Classic Bacon Pasta Salad

Chef Jenn
Picnic Bacon Pasta Salad combines farfalle, smoky bacon, cheddar, and fresh veggies with a creamy herb dressing. An easy, flavorful side dish for summer gatherings or weeknight meals.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Midwestern-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 cooked, diced
  • 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
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the farfalle pasta until al dente, then drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until cooled. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
  • Add grape tomatoes, diced bell pepper, cubed cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, and sliced green onions to the pasta. Toss lightly to combine.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, bacon fat, smoked paprika, parsley, dill, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Gently toss with salad servers until everything is evenly coated.
  • Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors develop. Salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • Cool the pasta completely before dressing so the sauce stays creamy.
  • Thick-cut bacon holds its crunch and doesn’t get lost in the salad.
  • For a lighter option, replace some sour cream with Greek yogurt.
  • Letting the dressing rest for 30–60 minutes before mixing makes the herbs more pronounced.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 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
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