Peas and Pasta Salad is a refreshing, creamy dish that balances sweet peas and sharp cheddar with smoky bacon and tangy Miracle Whip dressing. It’s ideal for summer potlucks or a make-ahead side simply cook, cool, toss, chill, then garnish with bacon just before serving.
This is an easy-level pasta salad combining cold-cooked cavatappi, crunchy onion, smooth dressing, crisp peas, cheese, and savory bacon. The ice-water bath stops pasta cooking early for a firm, al dente bite, and the bacon is added last to maintain its crunch even if you prepare the rest ahead of time .
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 lb cavatappi pasta
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Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
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¼ cup finely chopped red onion
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1 (15‑oz) jar salad dressing (recommendation: Miracle Whip)
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1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
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1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1½ tsp sugar
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10 oz frozen peas, thawed
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½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
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6 slices bacon, cooked crisp & crumbled
Directions:
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Cook pasta in salted boiling water per package for al dente (≈ 8 min).
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Drain, then plunge into a large bowl of ice water to cool; drain thoroughly.
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In a large bowl, whisk together red onion, dressing, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper.
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Add pasta and toss until coated. Stir in peas, cheddar, and bacon.
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Tip: If making ahead, refrigerate and add bacon just before serving
Prep Time: 15 min Cooking Time: 8 min Total Time: ~23 min
Kcal (per serving): ~609 kcal Servings: 6–8
Peas and Pasta Salad: A Creamy, Classic Comfort Dish with a Twist
When it comes to crafting a side dish that’s equally refreshing, flavorful, and nostalgic, few recipes deliver as well as Sunny Anderson’s Peas and Pasta Salad. This dish perfectly encapsulates everything that’s great about pasta salads: it’s easy to prepare, full of color and texture, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re looking for the perfect accompaniment to a summer BBQ, a make-ahead potluck favorite, or a weekday lunch that holds well in the fridge, this salad has you covered.
What sets this recipe apart is its combination of classic pantry ingredients with a few smart upgrades. The use of cavatappi pasta offers an interesting shape and texture that holds onto the creamy dressing, while peas add a subtle sweetness and burst of color. Sharp cheddar cheese introduces a tangy, savory profile that balances out the dish, and crispy bacon adds a much-needed crunchy, salty bite that keeps each forkful exciting. Best of all, the salad dressing is simple but bold, built from everyday staples like Miracle Whip, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar.
This salad feels familiar yet elevated it’s reminiscent of the pasta salads many grew up with, often brought to family gatherings in big Tupperware bowls, yet with a flavor profile that reflects a more modern and intentional approach to combining ingredients. Sunny Anderson’s flair for approachable yet crave-worthy food truly shines through in this crowd-pleasing recipe.
Why This Pasta Salad Works
The brilliance of this recipe lies in the balance of flavors and textures. Let’s break down why this salad is so satisfying.
First, the pasta. Cavatappi, with its spiral tube shape, has more surface area than standard pasta like penne or macaroni, allowing it to soak up the creamy dressing and trap bits of peas and bacon. The cold shock method plunging the pasta in ice water after boiling stops the cooking process instantly, resulting in perfectly al dente texture. This technique not only improves the mouthfeel but also ensures the pasta doesn’t absorb too much moisture and become mushy over time.
Next, the dressing. Instead of a traditional oil and vinegar base, this recipe opts for a mayonnaise-style dressing with tangy notes thanks to Miracle Whip. Apple cider vinegar adds brightness, Worcestershire sauce introduces umami depth, and sugar subtly balances the acidity. It’s a classic creamy dressing that doesn’t feel heavy, making it suitable for warm-weather meals.
The peas provide a cool sweetness and visual contrast, while the cheddar cheese shreds add sharpness and richness. But the real star topping is the bacon crispy, smoky, and added last to ensure it maintains its crunch. That last detail is critical for texture contrast, especially if the salad is made ahead of time.
Nutritional Considerations
While this salad leans into comfort food territory, it’s also quite balanced for what it is. Each serving offers a decent mix of carbohydrates, fats, and protein, especially with the inclusion of cheese and bacon. You can easily adapt it to suit dietary preferences by swapping out ingredients using turkey bacon for a leaner option, opting for whole wheat pasta for extra fiber, or replacing Miracle Whip with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
For a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon or replace it with smoky roasted chickpeas or crispy tempeh. The recipe is forgiving and highly customizable, which makes it great for home cooks who like to experiment or adapt dishes to what’s already in their pantry.
Perfect for Make-Ahead and Meal Prep
One of the biggest advantages of this pasta salad is its ability to be made in advance. The flavors actually deepen after a few hours in the refrigerator, making it ideal for events or meal planning. It holds up well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be easily refreshed with a splash of vinegar or a spoonful of extra dressing before serving.
If you’re serving it for a picnic or outdoor event, consider packing the bacon separately and sprinkling it on just before serving to retain its crispiness. For extra color, you can even toss in diced red bell pepper or cherry tomatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Peas and Pasta Salad pairs well with a wide range of mains. It’s particularly well-suited to grilled foods think BBQ ribs, grilled chicken, or burgers. You could also serve it alongside baked ham or as a hearty addition to a brunch spread. Thanks to its richness and texture, it can even stand on its own as a light meal, especially if you add in extra protein like diced chicken or chickpeas.
To elevate presentation, consider garnishing with freshly chopped herbs like parsley or chives. Serving it chilled in a large white bowl with contrasting green and orange hues makes for a visually stunning dish that catches the eye and whets the appetite.
Sunny Anderson’s Style: Bold Yet Approachable
Sunny Anderson has built a culinary brand around accessible, flavor-packed recipes that anyone can make. This peas and pasta salad is a perfect example of her approach to comfort food: it’s rooted in traditional American flavors but enhanced with thoughtful twists and details that make it stand out. She focuses on real, affordable ingredients and techniques that don’t require professional experience just a love for bold flavor and good food.
This salad, while seemingly simple, reflects Anderson’s understanding of balance, texture, and crowd-pleasing flavor combinations. It’s a go-to for anyone looking to make a big-batch side dish with minimal effort and maximum reward.
Conclusion:
Sunny Anderson’s Peas and Pasta Salad is more than just a side dish it’s a celebration of texture, flavor, and nostalgia. With its creamy tangy dressing, sweet green peas, sharp cheddar, and crispy bacon, every bite offers a satisfying blend of comfort and freshness. It’s a dish that can be made ahead, modified to suit dietary needs, and served at everything from backyard cookouts to weekday lunchboxes.
Whether you’re a food blogger, a busy home cook, or someone simply seeking that perfect recipe to bring to your next get-together, this pasta salad delivers. It’s proof that simple ingredients, when combined with care and intention, can result in something truly memorable. So go ahead give this recipe a try and let your guests come back for seconds.