3 days ago
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If there’s one side dish that disappears fast, it’s this million dollar pasta salad. It’s packed with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, fresh veggies, and a creamy dressing that ties it all together. It’s sure to steal the spotlight at any table!
Why You’ll Keep Making This
- Big Flavor in Every Bite: Simple ingredients come together for a bold, creamy pasta salad that’s full of flavor.
- Quick and Easy to Make: Ready in about 20 minutes with very little prep, making it a go-to for busy days.
- Perfect for Any Gathering: Great for potlucks, BBQs, and weeknights! And pairs perfectly with burgers, steak, and all your grilled favorites.
How to Make Million Dollar Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is a total hit! People always go back for seconds. It’s creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor. Try my million dollar dip and million dollar chicken next!
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse the cooked pasta in cold water.
- Combine: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, bacon, grape tomatoes, parsley, green onions, cheddar cheese, and slivered almonds.
- Make the Dressing: In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the million dollar pasta and mix until combined.
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
Add your own twist! If you want, you can try adding other veggies like chopped bell peppers, red onion, or broccoli!
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Strainer
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Glass Bowls
Pot
Pasta Salad
- ▢ 1 (16-ounce) box penne pasta uncooked
- ▢ 1 cup cooked and chopped bacon
- ▢ 1½ cups halved grape tomatoes or cherry
- ▢ ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ▢ ½ cup thinly sliced green onions
- ▢ 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ▢ ½ cup slivered almonds
Dressing
- ▢ 1 cup mayonnaise
- ▢ ¼ cup buttermilk
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ salt and pepper to taste
Cook 1 (16-ounce) box penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse the cooked pasta in cold water.
In a large bowl, combine the pasta, 1 cup cooked and chopped bacon, 1½ cups halved grape tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped parsley, ½ cup thinly sliced green onions, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and ½ cup slivered almonds.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
Pour the dressing over the pasta and mix until combined.
Leftover and Make Ahead Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. For best results, reserve a little dressing and toss it in right before serving to freshen it up.
- Freezer: Not recommended, as the texture will not hold up well after thawing.
- Make-Ahead: You can prep the ingredients ahead of time, just wait to toss the salad with the dressing until right before serving.
Calories: 426kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 10gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 770mgPotassium: 235mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 551IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 151mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Favorite Pasta Salads
Did you make this pasta salad? Drop a comment below! I’d love to know what your family thought. If you want more potluck favorites, check out more of my easy pasta salads!
About Alyssa Rivers
Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer, experienced recipe-developer and American Culinary Federation certified. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.
English (US) · 