Description
A reliable, budget-friendly, and creamy pasta salad that is perfect for meal prep and potlucks. It features a tangy dressing made with pickle juice and buttermilk, balanced with crispy bacon and fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 pound bacon, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 ½ cups full-fat mayonnaise
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 4–5 stalks green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Optional: 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Optional: 2-3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- Optional: 1 red bell pepper, diced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente (about 1 minute less than package directions). Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and rinse pasta under cold water until completely cool.
- While pasta cooks, chop bacon and cook in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and browned (5-8 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool completely.
- Dice yellow onion, celery, and green onions. If desired, soak yellow onion in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce bite, then drain and pat dry.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, pickle juice, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Add the cooled pasta, crispy bacon, diced vegetables, and optional cheese or eggs to the dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2-4 hours, to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold.
Notes
Ensure pasta is completely cool before adding to the dressing to prevent the mayo from separating. The salad tastes better after chilling for a few hours. Do not freeze, as the texture of the mayo and vegetables will suffer. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
Keywords: pasta salad, southern style, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, meal prep, potluck recipe, make-ahead salad, budget-friendly dinner