• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Featured In
  • Recipe Index
  • This & That
  • Contact

The Blond Cook logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • This & That
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    By Amy · Published: May 19, 2021 · Updated: May 19, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy 9 Comments

    Pea Pasta Salad

    FacebookTweetPinEmailYummly
    Jump to Recipe
    Pasta salad in a square white bowl. Overlay text reads, "pea pasta salad".

    This hearty and flavorful Pea Pasta Salad is a perfect side dish for summer cookouts, potlucks and picnics. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, can be made ahead and feeds a crowd!

    Overhead view of pea pasta salad in a decorative white bowl by a striped napkin.

    This refreshing pasta salad is a long-time favorite and everyone always raves about it. It’s full of peas, carrots, bacon and red onion in a simple creamy dressing that’s sweet and tangy.

    You just can’t go wrong with this salad… I love it with barbecue pork ribs, roasted chicken leg quarters and grilled chicken to name a few!

    Ingredients Notes

    Overhead view of pea pasta salad ingredients on a white marble surface.
    • Pasta – I like to use bow tie (farfalle) pasta in this salad, but any short pasta will work. You’ll need 12 ounces (some boxes are 16 ounces, so be sure to grab the 12 ounce box).
    • Peas – 2 cups of frozen peas that have been thawed.
    • Carrots – This recipe calls for julienned carrots – you can save time by buying a package of “matchstick” carrots in the produce section.
    • Bacon – You’ll need ½ cup of fully cooked crumbled or chopped bacon (approximately 8 slices cooked). If you’re in a hurry you can use packaged bacon recipe pieces (not the imitation bacon bits!).
    • Mayonnaise – I use full-fat, but feel free to use low fat or fat free mayo if desired.

    How to Make Pea Pasta Salad

    Pea pasta salad with wooden salad servers in a large glass bowl.

    Preparing this salad couldn’t be easier!

    1. Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
    2. Toss cooked pasta (that has been drained and rinsed with cold water), peas, carrots, onion and bacon in a large bowl until evenly combined.
    3. Drizzle with dressing and gently stir to coat as evenly as possible.
    Closeup view of pea pasta salad in a white ramekin.

    Enjoy!

    More Delicious Spring and Summer Salads

    • Creamy Broccoli Salad
    • BLT Pasta Salad
    • Greek Pasta Salad

    Follow along! Subscribe via email to never miss a recipe.

    SUBSCRIBE

    Join me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram.

    Overhead view of pea pasta salad in a white bowl by three forks and a napkin.

    Pea Pasta Salad

    A simple and satisfying side dish that's perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks and picnics!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Pasta, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: pea pasta salad
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 14 minutes
    Total Time: 24 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Author: Amy

    Ingredients

    For the dressing:

    • ¾ cup mayonnaise
    • 2 ½ tablespoons white vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt more or less, to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper more or less, to taste

    For the salad:

    • 1 (12 ounce) package bow tie pasta farfalle pasta
    • 2 cups frozen peas thawed
    • ½ cup fully cooked chopped or crumbled bacon about 8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
    • ½ cup chopped red onion
    • 1 cup julienned carrots or packaged "matchstick" carrots

    Instructions

    • Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth and combined. Cover and refrigerate.
    • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse well with cold water.
    • Transfer cooked pasta to a large bowl. Add peas, bacon, red onion and carrots. Toss to evenly combine.
    • Drizzle with dressing and gently stir to coat as evenly as possible.

    Notes

    • This recipe yields approximately 10 cups.
    • Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
    • If pasta soaks up some of the dressing while being refrigerated, moisten it up by adding a little mayo (about 1 to 2 tablespoons) and stir to coat before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 405mg | Potassium: 206mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2372IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg

    If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheBlondCook or tag #theblondcook!

    Originally published June 2014. Updated with new photos, new text, recipe slightly revised and republished May 2021.

    HUNGRY FOR MORE?

    • Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
      Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
    • Pasta with Tomato Butter Sauce
      Pasta with Tomato Butter Sauce
    • Red Potato Salad
      Red Potato Salad
    • Creamy Broccoli Salad
      Creamy Broccoli Salad
    « Rum Punch
    Cheesy Squash Casserole »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. SJay says

      June 13, 2021 at 4:23 pm

      Can you use canned peas? I also thought of adding corn…

      Reply
      • Amy says

        June 13, 2021 at 5:13 pm

        Yes, I have used canned peas (drained) in this recipe and it’s still delicious, although I prefer frozen peas that have been thawed. I’ve never added corn but wouldn’t hesitate to try it. Let me know how it turns out if you try it!

        Reply
    2. Pam says

      February 17, 2015 at 12:22 pm

      Hi, Amy… I have an odd question. I have
      the exact bowl this salad is pictured in. I
      bought it at a yard sale and I’d love to get
      a few different sizes. Just wondering if they’re
      part of a set or if you could point me in
      the right direction. Thanks. 🙂

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        March 06, 2015 at 11:01 am

        Hi Pam! So sorry for my delay in responding. My friend Melissa found that bowl at TJ Maxx. I love it! I have seen them also at Tuesday Morning, but not in a set.

        Reply
    3. Jessica @ Sweet Menu says

      June 25, 2014 at 10:40 pm

      Yum! This looks delicious and fresh! Perfect for a picnic.

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        June 27, 2014 at 12:33 pm

        Thank you so much, Jessica!

        Reply
    4. Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says

      June 25, 2014 at 1:04 pm

      I love your salads, Amy. This one is no exception. So perfect for summer BBQ’s and the like. Pinned 🙂

      Reply
      • Amy @ The Blond Cook says

        June 25, 2014 at 1:58 pm

        Thank you so much, Valerie! I’m looking forward to trying your Whiskey Balsamic Steak very soon!

        Reply
    5. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

      June 23, 2014 at 11:48 am

      What a great pasta salad! I always love the way peas taste in pasta dishes!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    Amy (The Blond Cook) with long blonde hair and wearing a pink shirt smiling for the camera.

    Hey, I'm Amy Brinkley! Welcome to my online kitchen. I love cooking simple, family-friendly recipes with everyday ingredients.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Easy Creamed Corn
    • Buttery Garlic Steamed Clams
    • Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Beef
    • Pineapple Margarita
    • Simple Dog Biscuits
    • Creamy Tuscan Shrimp and Scallops

    Instant Pot Recipes

    • Instant Pot Chili
    • Easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork
    • Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
    • Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
    • Instant Pot Beef Stew
    • Instant Pot Ham and White Bean Soup

    NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

    Sign up to get new recipes via email.

    Footer

    A banner of logos of websites that The Blond Cook has been featured in.

    AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

    © COPYRIGHT 2011-2022 · TBC MEDIA, LLC · DISCLOSURE AND PRIVACY POLICY · ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!