Description
Spicy and cool converge in this creamy jalapeño popper pasta salad, blending zesty peppers with smooth cream cheese. Cool pasta twists mingle with crispy bacon bits, delivering a bold southwestern flavor punch that will excite taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (elbow, bowtie, or rotini)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
Vegetable and Herb Ingredients:
- 1 cup diced jalapenos (fresh, pickled, or a mix, adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup chopped green onions or chives
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta by bringing a generously salted water reservoir to a vigorous boil. Submerge the pasta and cook until it reaches a perfectly tender al dente consistency. Carefully drain the pasta and immediately cascade cold water over it to halt the cooking process and reduce temperature. Allow the pasta to drain completely.
- Craft the luxurious sauce by whisking together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream in a spacious mixing vessel. Ensure the mixture achieves a silky, uniform texture. Introduce the garlic powder, smoked paprika, seasoning, and freshly ground pepper, blending thoroughly to create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Transform the cooled pasta into the creamy sauce, gently folding to ensure each strand is lavishly coated. Incorporate the finely chopped jalapenos, bringing a vibrant heat to the mixture. Sprinkle in the sharp cheddar cheese, creating pockets of melty goodness. Scatter the crispy bacon fragments and freshly sliced green onions throughout the salad, distributing ingredients evenly.
- Seal the pasta salad in an airtight container and allow it to rest in the refrigerator. This crucial chilling period enables the flavors to intertwine and develop complexity, typically requiring a minimum of one hour. Prior to serving, conduct a final taste assessment, adjusting seasonings if necessary. Elevate the presentation by garnishing with additional crisp bacon bits, cheese shards, or a sprinkle of green onion tops.
Notes
- Adjust spice levels by removing jalapeno seeds for a milder version or adding extra chopped peppers for more heat.
- Create a vegetarian option by substituting bacon with crispy coconut bacon or smoked tempeh bits for similar smoky flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising taste and texture.
- Enhance meal prep efficiency by cooking pasta and preparing bacon a day ahead, storing separately in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg