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Home » Type » Salads » Pasta Salads » Creamy Pasta Salad with Bacon, Peas, and Bell Peppers

Creamy Pasta Salad with Bacon, Peas, and Bell Peppers

August 27, 2012 by Faith 27 Comments

Creamy Pasta Salad with Bacon, Peas, & Bell Peppers

It seems like I blinked and now the end of summer is here.

(Can I let you in on a little secret? I’m looking forward to summer ending. Fall — ahem, Autumn, which happens to be my niece’s name — is my favorite season for a million reasons, not least of which are chilly temps, cozy sweaters, and warm mulled cider, but I am also head-over-heels in love with winter. And yes, when I tell people that, the most common question I get is Really? Lol, yes, really.)

With Labor Day next weekend, I know a lot of people are looking for new twists on picnic food, and this salad is a great way to switch up your normal pasta salad routine.

Here are a few more picnic salad ideas:

  • Easiest Pasta Salad
  • Poached Salmon Pasta Salad
  • Roasted Vegetable Couscous Salad
  • Roasted Veggie Potato Salad
  • Succotash-Style Pasta Salad with Roasted Garlic Dressing
  • Sweet Mango Chili Shrimp Salad
  • Wheat Berry Salad with Fruity Vinaigrette
  • White Bean-Roasted Red Pepper Salad

If you have a favorite picnic food to share, feel free to link to it in the comments below!

Creamy Pasta Salad with Bacon, Peas, & Bell Peppers 2

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Creamy Pasta Salad with Bacon, Peas, and Bell Peppers
Prep time:  10 mins
Cook time:  10 mins
Total time:  20 mins
Yield: About 8 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 8 oz pasta (I used gemelli, but you can use any shape you like)
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 4 slices turkey bacon, diced
  • 4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ½ medium onion, very finely diced
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons low-fat mayo or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2½ tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¾ cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 shallot, halved and thinly sliced
Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions; drain and set aside to cool.
  2. Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat; add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  3. Whisk together the cream cheese, onion, mayo or Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until smooth. (Alternatively, process everything together in a food processor until smooth and then transfer it to a large bowl.)
  4. Toss in the pasta, peas, red bell pepper, and shallot in the dressing.
  5. Refrigerate until serving; right before serving toss in the bacon or sprinkle it on top.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Cooking Light’s recipe for Macaroni Salad with Bacon, Peas, & Creamy Dijon Dressing.
3.5.3251

Filed Under: Pasta Salads, Side Dishes Tagged: Bacon, Cooking Light, Creamy Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Picnic Foods, Potluck Foods, Recipes, Summer Side Dishes

Comments

  1. Sandy says

    June 6, 2020 at 9:11 pm

    Could this recipe be used without the cream cheese in it?

    Reply
    • Faith says

      August 27, 2020 at 11:25 pm

      Sandy, Yes, you can omit the cream cheese and add a bit more Greek yogurt and/or mayo if you prefer. If you make it, please let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
  2. Sara says

    July 1, 2013 at 7:48 pm

    I’ve made this three times (and am about to again for a 4th of July BBQ) and literally had a girlfriend offer to help me move only “if you make that pasta salad for me!”
    It’s incredible, EASY, and delicious! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Faith says

      July 1, 2013 at 8:55 pm

      Sara, I’m so happy you’re enjoying this! Thanks so much for letting me know, you made my night! :)

      Reply
  3. Laura says

    June 4, 2013 at 11:42 am

    This looked so yummy I made it. When I first made it and tried it it was good, but after I regrigerated it it gelled up like cream cheese instead of being loose and creamy. Suggestions?

    Reply
    • Faith says

      June 4, 2013 at 8:23 pm

      Laura, You could try one of a couple different things: 1) let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes right before serving, giving it a good stir when you’re ready to serve (15 minutes at room temp shouldn’t hurt it – just don’t leave it right out in the hot sun); or 2) stir in a couple spoonfuls of Greek yogurt, sour cream, or mayo if you want to serve it right from the fridge.

      Reply
  4. Peyton says

    September 18, 2012 at 5:55 pm

    Just tried this and it is awesome! I had to make a few substitutions related to the contents of my refrigerator, but nonetheless, tasty. I also decided to use Neufchatel cheese instead of regular cream cheese for a little less fat content, and it seems to have been a good choice. Thanks for the recipe! Happy eating :-) ~Peyton

    Reply
  5. Krista says

    August 30, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I could really go for a bowl of that right now rather than my quickly thrown together cheese sandwich. It looks amazing Faith!

    Reply
  6. Astra Libris says

    August 28, 2012 at 9:27 pm

    Oh wow, this looks amazing!!! I wish I loved winter… :-)

    Reply
  7. Tara Noland says

    August 28, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    This looks so good!!! I am going to add it to my Mouth Watering Mondays post this Monday. Come on over to see it at http://www.noshingwiththenolands.com Cheers, Tara

    Reply
  8. Katerina says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    This salad has all the right ingredients to become a favorite of mine Faith! It looks very creamy and tasty. I love such all in one meals!

    Reply
  9. [email protected] says

    August 28, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    I was thinking picnic before I read it lol. Often such salads fall flat in taste but this one looks perfect, especially with the bacon. No, make summer stay forever ;-)

    Reply
  10. Juliana says

    August 28, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    This pasta salad looks delicious, love the veggies all together with the creamy sauce…absolutely perfect for the warm weather.
    Thanks for the recipe and hope you are having a wonderful week Faith :)

    Reply
  11. Hannah says

    August 28, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    Nooo, I’m not ready to even think about fall yet! Quit it with that kind of talk. We still have plenty of summer left, which is why this pasta salad is so timely. I’m not usually one for creamy versions, but it does look really rich and perfectly indulgent.

    Reply
  12. Jenn and Seth says

    August 28, 2012 at 11:53 am

    now this sounds like a wonderful pasta salad! i’d love to have some of this!

    Reply
  13. Cherine says

    August 28, 2012 at 6:34 am

    Looks wonderful.

    Reply
  14. Toni says

    August 28, 2012 at 5:56 am

    I love pasta salads. They remind me of BBQs and picnics when I was growing up in Germany. The best… :) My current fav to take to picnics and BBQs are these Mini Victoria Sponges. Much easier to eat and transport. http://ettas-corner.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/mini-victoria-sponges.html

    x

    Reply
  15. Dee D. says

    August 27, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    Love fall too :) The pasta looks really delicious, and perfect for lunch.

    Reply
  16. Reeni says

    August 27, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    I’m a kindred fall/winter lover too! But I hope to sneak in some more summer salads like this one! Love the Dijon dressing.

    Reply
  17. Asiya @ Chocolate and Chillies says

    August 27, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    Summer definitely went by too quickly…seems like yesterday that my son’s school ended and next week it is starting up again!

    Wonderful pasta salad…and doesn’t look to heavy either!

    Reply
  18. [email protected] says

    August 27, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    So easy :) This is my favourite lunch dish!!

    Reply
  19. Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says

    August 27, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    Funny Faith! I started out my post today talking about the change of seasons as well ;). I can see why you are looking forward to Autumn and Fall – those are magnificent seasons where you live!

    Reply
  20. Lisa says

    August 27, 2012 at 3:00 pm

    This sounds like a great flavor combo…I’m a firm believer that cheese (in any form) and bacon make everything better!

    Reply
  21. BeadedTail says

    August 27, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    I still have a long list of summer things I wanted to do so I’m not ready for fall! This pasta salad looks really good and easy enough for me to make!

    Reply
  22. Erica says

    August 27, 2012 at 10:45 am

    What is it about peas with pasta that is so darn good? I’m a summer gal all the way…so I never look forward to fall/winter…but fall is actually pretty nice weather wise down here. What a perfect labor day dish

    Reply
  23. Girlnapurpledress says

    August 27, 2012 at 9:31 am

    Yum, I could do with some pasta, especially as I haven’t eaten it in over a week! A great way of incorporating veges as well. I like that you’ve used reduced fat cream cheese instead of creams.

    Reply
  24. Rosa says

    August 27, 2012 at 7:25 am

    It is crazy how time passes… This pasta dish looks really scrumptious! My kind of food.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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