Bacon And Cheese Pasta Salad

As far as I am concerned, there is nothing better than cheese. So when you’re looking for something a little more festive for a barbecue or gathering, bacon and cheese is going to be your answer! This Bacon and Cheese Southwestern Pasta is light and delicious.

It is excellent just the way it is, but you could add some additional colored peppers or black beans if you want to bulk it up a little more. Have fun with it! Pair it with Macaroni Egg Salad if you are looking for additional barbecue side options!

Bacon And Cheese Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients:
Pasta Salad
12 oz elbow macaroni
1 Spanish onion, diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 cup bacon, cooked and diced (approximately 5-6 pieces)
1/2 block of Colby Jack cheese, shredded (about 4 oz or to taste)

Chipote Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
3 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp honey
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 small canned chipotle chile, minced (draining the liquid)
2 tsp adobo sauce 
1 tsp sea salt

Bring a large pot of water to boil, add your pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes. Drain it in a colander and allow the pasta to cool. Cook your bacon (in your preferred method) until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan/plate and place it on paper towels to drain the grease. Cut your bacon into small pieces.

Peel, cut and dice the onion. Core, seed, and dice the red pepper. Put both in a medium size bowl. Add your pasta, cilantro, and bacon, then stir to combine. Pull out your cheese grater and shred your block of cheese into the bowl and set aside.

In a medium size bowl or food processor, mix together your mayo, sour cream, vinegar, honey, sugar, minced chile, adobo sauce, and salt. If you have time to chill this dressing overnight, I would recommend it so that the flavors can marry a bit more. If not, stir it right into your pasta bowl and mix to combine well. You can serve this warm or cold depending on your preference.

Good Cook 3-Piece Mixing Spoons SetGlotoch Silicone Collapsible Colander Set of 4-Includes 1pc 6 Quart Over the Sink Strainer, 2pc 4 Quart and 1pc 2 Quart Round Folding Strainers.Dishwasher-Safe，BPA Free (Blue&Grey)AmazonBasics 4-Sided Stainless Steel Box Grater with Storage Container, 9-InchAmazonBasics Extra Coarse Hand Grater with Wide Stainless Steel Blade, Soft Grip Handle, Grey and GreenCuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini Prep Plus Food Processor Brushed Chrome and NickelKitchenAid KFC3516ER 3.5 Cup Food Chopper, Empire Red

Yield: 8 Servings

Bacon And Cheese Southwestern Pasta Salad

Print

This Bacon and Cheese Southwestern Pasta Salad is the answer to your next barbecue! Delicious and filling, it is a bacon and cheese twist on a classic!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

Pasta Salad

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 Spanish onion, diced
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 cup bacon, cooked and diced (approximately 5-6 pieces)
• 1/2 block of Colby Jack cheese, shredded (about 4 oz or to taste)

Chipote Dressing

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3 Tbsp vinegar
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 small canned chipotle chile, minced (liquid drained)
• 2 tsp adobo sauce
• 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil, add your pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes.
2. Drain your pasta and leave it in a colander. Allow it to cool.
3. Cook your bacon (in your preferred method) until crispy.
4. Place the bacon on paper towels to drain the grease and then cut it into small pieces.
5. In a large bowl, mix your onion, pepper and cilantro together.
6. Add the pasta and bacon and mix thoroughly.
7. Using a grater, shred your block of cheese and mix it into the bowl.
8. To make the dressing, add your mayo, sour cream, vinegar, honey, sugar, chiles, adobo sauce and sea salt to a medium sized bowl and mix them together. You can also add them to a food processor for a finer mixture. (That's my preference, but a bowl will work if you don't have a processor).
9. Pour the dressing over the salad, stirring to mix well.
10. Serve warm or cold.

Notes

If you have the option of making the dressing the night before, do that and allow it to chill in the fridge overnight. It will allow the flavors to meld.

Recommended Products

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• 
  Glotoch Silicone Collapsible Colander Set of 4-Includes 1pc 6 Quart Over the Sink Strainer, 2pc 4 Quart and 1pc 2 Quart Round Folding Strainers.Dishwasher-Safe，BPA Free (Blue&Grey)
• 
  AmazonBasics 4-Sided Stainless Steel Box Grater with Storage Container, 9-Inch
• 
  Cuisinart DLC-2ABC Mini Prep Plus Food Processor Brushed Chrome and Nickel

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 266Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 570mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 7g

This calculation is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor or dietician. This calculator is a guide, but makes no guarantee of being exact or fully accurate.

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