Goodness! I made a batch of this yummy pasta salad and the kids and I ate on it all week. To me, this is the perfect little lunch recipe, but it also works well as a side too. For instance, one night, we had this as a side to Andrea’s Pulled Pork (yesterday’s recipe) and that was so yummy! And if you’re eating meat-free these days, just omit the bacon and throw on some toasted nuts for crunch instead (a toasted almond or chickpea would be really good in here too).
Enjoy!
This is a great recipe because you can make as much or as little as you want. The following directions are for four portions but you can easily increase that amount or decrease it based on your needs.
Shopping List
3 cups pasta, cooked, drained and cooled
2 cups fresh or frozen peas (brought to room temp)
8 green onions, chopped
8 pieces of cooked bacon, crumbled (reserve a few pieces to garnish)
about 4 tablespoons of your favorite Ranch dressing (I used Newman’s Own)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan cheese to garnish, optional
In a large bowl, combine your cooked pasta with the peas, green onions, bacon and dressing. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 3 days. Garnish with a little grated Parm and a few extra bacon crumbles.
Lunchtime will not be boring if this is on the menu! And don’t forget, it’s a great side dish too!
Enjoy!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
This speaks to me. Peas? Yes. Pasta? Yes. Bacon? YES!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
Christy says
I LOVE all your recipes and have never made one I didn't like. I have a question, do you happen to know the nutritional value for these? That would be such a blessing when planning my meals.
kristine says
To make it a little healthier, you could try subbing some of the ranch dressing with Greek yogurt. I love a good pasta salad, Shay! This looks delish!
Mix and Match Mama says
Sorry but I don't track the nutritional value of my recipes. Enjoy!!
Amanda & Jerrod Carpenter says
This sounds really good! However I'm not much of a cold pasta dish person… could you serve this warm? I wasn't sure with the ranch in it. Thx 🙂
Paula says
Do you have any bacon secrets? If using only a few pieces, how to store the rest? Cook it all? Real, full fat pork bacon or turkey? If turkey, what kind. I think they are all rubber like.
A Midnight Wonderland says
That looks delicious!
Mely H says
Yum! It's like you read my mind. I have a box of tri-color rotini I could substitute and I was just seeing this morning I have a package of bacon chilling in my fridge that I need to do something with. Thanks Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
You could totally serve this warm! It would be yummy warm or really cold!
Anonymous says
Is it 3 cups dry pasta before cooking?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, you would need to cook your dry pasta before continuing on with the recipe. Enjoy!
Allison Thompson says
Thinking of adding breaded chicken and serving warm as a meal. Good idea?