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Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade BBQ Side Dish for Summer

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A smoky, tangy, and creamy pasta salad perfect for summer BBQs and potlucks, packed with hearty veggies, smoky bacon, and a zesty homemade BBQ-style dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) elbow macaroni or rotini pasta
  • 6 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • ½ small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta completely. Set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, cook 6 strips of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cool, crumble into bite-size pieces.
  3. Dice 1 medium red and 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chop ½ small red onion, and halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes. Rinse and drain 1 cup of black beans.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix until smooth and well combined.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, chopped bell peppers, onion, cherry tomatoes, black beans, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

Notes

Rinse pasta well after cooking to prevent gluey texture. Chill salad for at least 1 hour for best flavor. Dressing can be made a day ahead. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika or roasted chickpeas. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free option. Bacon can be baked in oven at 400°F for 15 minutes as an alternative to skillet.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy pasta salad, BBQ side dish, summer pasta salad, pasta salad recipe, easy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, picnic salad

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/cowboy-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-bbq-side-dish-for-summer/