Description
This creamy bacon, egg & spinach pasta salad is packed with tender shell pasta, crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and fresh spinach, all tossed in a homemade garlic dressing. Perfect for potlucks, meal prep, or an easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
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12 oz shell pasta
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6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
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4 large eggs, hard-boiled and chopped
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3 cups baby spinach
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½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
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Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Creamy Garlic Dressing
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¾ cup mayonnaise
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¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
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1–2 cloves garlic, finely grated
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1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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½ teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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2–4 tablespoons milk, to thin
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook shell pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly with cool water.
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In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Add milk a little at a time until the dressing is smooth and pourable.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, bacon, eggs, spinach, tomatoes, and red onion.
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Pour the creamy garlic dressing over the pasta salad and gently toss until evenly coated.
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Season with freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
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Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
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This pasta salad thickens as it chills—stir in a splash of milk before serving if needed.
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For a lighter version, replace half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
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Parmesan or feta cheese makes a great optional add-in.
- Prep Time: 15 MINUTES
- Cook Time: 15 MINUTES
- Category: PASTA SALAD
- Method: STOVETOP
- Cuisine: AMERICAN