Description
This Pimento Cheese Pasta Salad combines creamy dressing, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon, making it a delightful choice for quick dinners or potlucks. It’s easy to prepare and full of flavor, ideal for those seeking homemade comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz. uncooked short pasta
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimento peppers, drained
- 8 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled and divided
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water to remove excess starch. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Stir in the cheddar cheese, red onion, and pimento peppers, then add the pasta and half of the crumbled bacon.
- Top the salad with the remaining crumbled bacon and chopped chives before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, let the salad chill for about 30 minutes before serving.
You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a lighter version.
Feel free to add more vegetables like bell peppers or peas for added nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg