Easy Summer Pasta Salad
A pasta salad perfect for parties and gatherings. Start with a seasoned may dressing, then load it up with your favorite ingredients!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Side Dishes
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
2 and 1/2 cups dry macaroni noodles
1 and 1/4 cups mayo
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 and 1/2 cups cooked frozen peas
6 – 7 cooked bacon slices, crumbled
1 cup diced red onion
3/4 cup diced sharp Cheddar cheese
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta according to box directions. The strain and run under cold water. Add to your large serving bowl.
2. To make the dressing, in a bowl combine the mayo, mustard, sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
3. To assemble the pasta salad, pour the dressing over the cooled pasta and stir until all the noodles are covered in the dressing. Then add in the diced red onion, diced cooked bacon, cooked peas, and Cheddar cheese. Stir until everything is well distributed throughout the pasta.
Serve immediately, garnish with more salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Pasta salad lose their creaminess the longer they are refrigerated. If you are making this ahead, I recommend making a little extra dressing in another bowl and adding it to the pasta salad just before serving.
Keywords: loaded pasta salad