• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X
 Trending:  Easy Recipes
Erren's Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Finder
    • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizer
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Side
      • Dessert
      • Drinks
    • Type
      • Quick and Easy
      • Vegetarian
      • Pasta
      • Soups
      • Salads & Dressings
      • Rice Dishes
      • Comfort Food
      • Slow Cooker
    • Protein
      • Chicken & Poultry
      • Seafood
      • Beef, Pork, & Lamb
    • Cuisine
      • Italian Food
      • Asian Food
      • American
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican Food
      • Southern
    • Method
      • Slow Cooker
      • One Pot/One Pan
      • Oven-Baked and Roasted Recipes
      • Stovetop
    • Desserts
      • Brownies & Bars
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Pies & Tarts
      • Muffins, Breads & Donuts
      • Ice Cream Recipes
  • Videos
  • Conversions
    • US Sticks of Butter Conversion Charts
    • Basic ounces to grams weight conversions
    • Oven Temperature Conversions
    • Butter in the US and the Rest of the World
    • British Dessert Spoon Conversions
    • US Cups to ounces & grams for common ingredients
    • Basic Volume Conversions
  • About
    • Erren’s Kitchen
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Erren
    • Collaborate
    • Life Stories
    • Contact
    • Our Philosophy

Specialties:

Quick & Easy
Italian
Poultry
Better Than Takeout!
Desserts
Meat
Pasta
Home / Mains

Best Ever Easy Pasta Salad

This delicious pasta salad is packed full of bacon, green onions, and cucumber. A quick and delicious idea for lunches, picnics, or barbecues.

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

06/17/2025
4.80 from 43 votes
Jump to Recipe
Serves: 4
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
A photo of a bowl of pasta salad with curly pasta, chopped bacon and green onions
a promotional pin of a close up of pasta salad with chopped bacon and spring onions.
pasta added to salad vegetables and dressing
pasta salad with bacon ready to eat

a bowl of pasta salad with bacon

This site runs ads and generates income from affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This recipe for simple Pasta Salad makes a quick and delicious lunch or is perfect for preparing ahead for picnics or barbecues.

Why not serve with Moroccan spiced vegetable couscous for the perfect picnic partner?

pasta salad with bacon ready to eat
Pin This Recipe For Later!

Today was my son’s last day of school (finally).  They finish quite late in the UK and I start itching to have my son home with me in mid-June when friends back home start to post on Facebook that school’s out.

They have a family picnic on the last day of school.  It’s a really nice day for the kids and parents alike.  I made a huge batch of this salad for it and it was the only thing that was eaten without a trace of anything left in the container (except my chocolate chip cookies)!

  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredient Notes
  • How To Make Best Ever Easy Pasta Salad
  • Tips & Variations
  • Food Safety For Warmer Weather
  • FAQs
  • Other Great Summer Recipes
  • Rate This Recipe
  • Recipe

Why This Recipe Works

  • The vinegar and mayonnaise are a creamy and tangy base for the pasta.
  • Bacon and cucumbers make for a salty and crunchy texture everyone will love.
  • It’s perfect for making it into a lunch to take to work and eat at your desk.  

Ingredient Notes

a collage of ingredients for pasta salad
  • Pasta: I used curly pasta, but you can use any pasta shape you like.
  • Bacon: Thin sliced bacon is perfect for this because it’s wonderfully crispy when cooked.
  • Cucumber: Seedless work best. I like to cube my cucumber into a pasta salad, but you can shave it in ribbons or slices.
  • Mayonnaise: This recipe calls for full-fat mayonnaise, but you can use light mayonnaise or even sour cream.
  • Vinegar: I have used white, red and balsamic. Please note that balsamic vinegar will change the color of the dressing.
  • Herbs: I use parsley, but others have reported cilantro and basil are both great options.

There is nothing better than a big bowl of delicious pasta salad on a hot day!  This is my favorite recipe, the bacon & green onions, add a different spin on your everyday macaroni salad.

It’s one of my favorite things to make in the summertime because you can eat however much you like, and it’s a very fresh and light meal in the hot weather, especially when you don’t feel like cooking or heating up the kitchen.

Just throw it all into a bowl and mix it up! Super easy, and super delicious!

How To Make Best Ever Easy Pasta Salad

  1. Put cooked pasta in a large bowl.
  2. Add diced cucumber, bacon and green onions.
  3. Mix in mayonnaise, mustard, and balsamic vinegar.
  4. Season to taste.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

Step By Step Instructions

Chop the salad ingredients and place in a large bowl.

pasta salad ingredients chopped in a bowl

Place the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard and seasoning in a bowl.

ingredients for salad dressing

Whisk until fully combined.

salad dressing being beaten with a whisk

Pour the mayonnaise mixture into the salad ingredients.

dressing added to the salad ingredients

Mix the mayonnaise dressing into the salad ingredients until fully coated.

pasta added to salad vegetables and dressing

Serve and enjoy!

pasta salad with bacon ready to eat

Tips & Variations

  • Have leftover chicken? Chop it up into cubes and add to make this a main meal.
  • For a lower fat option, use low-fat mayonnaise.
  • Use your favorite salad dressing, there are no hard and fast rules here!
  • Bulk it up with some crumbled feta cheese or mozzarella balls.
  • Spice up your pasta salad with some flaked red pepper.
  • Make the pasta salad ahead and keep it in the refrigerator for a day before to let the flavors soak in.

Food Safety For Warmer Weather

  • To prevent rapidly growing bacteria from forming, Food shouldn’t be unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours or limit the time to one hour if the outdoor temperature is higher than 90° F.

FAQs

Can Pasta Salad be made the day before?

You can make this pasta salad the day before, it tastes even better when it’s left in the fridge to rest.

How long will Pasta Salad last in the fridge?

You can keep your pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Other Great Summer Recipes

  • Chicken & Red Pesto Pasta Salad
  • Quick and Easy Corn & Tuna Pasta Salad
  • Bacon Quinoa Salad with Lemon Dijon Dressing
  • Tomato Avocado salad
  • Strawberry Salad

Rate This Recipe

Click here to leave a star rating!

a bowl of pasta salad with bacon

Recipe

Best Ever Easy Pasta Salad

This delicious pasta salad is packed full of bacon, green onions, and cucumber. A quick and delicious idea for lunches, picnics, or barbecues.
4.80 from 43 votes
Print
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 12 strips of bacon (cooked and chopped)
  • 2 cups dried pasta (cooked, cooled, and drained)
  • ½ teaspoon mustard
  • ½ cup mayonnaise ( plus more to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar (white, red or or *balsamic)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 3 green onions (sliced into rounds)
  • ½ cup cucumber (chopped)
  • 1 stalk celery (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt & pepper. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl combine the bacon, pasta, cucumber, and green onions.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve. Store covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.

Tips

*Please note that balsamic vinegar will change the color of the dressing from white to a browner color.
Tips:
  • Be sure not to overcook your pasta to avoid bloating.
  • Make the pasta salad ahead and keep it in the refrigerator for a day before to let the flavors soak in.
Show Nutrition Hide Nutrition

Nutrition

Calories: 583 | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 916mg | Potassium: 245mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 2.2mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Created by Erren Hart
Save to favoritesYour saved recipes will be right here waiting for you every time you visit, so you can easily find and make the meals you love.

Update Notes: This post was originally published in July of 2014, but was republished with tips, FAQs, and variations in June of 2021.

4.80 from 43 votes (19 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Rate this recipe:




75 responses

  1. Erren Hart Avatar
    Erren Hart
    03/13/2023

    Thank you for leaving a comment about this recipe. Your feedback is appreciated, and I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for future recipes. Thanks again for trying it out and sharing your thoughts!

    Reply
  2. Gary Keiny Avatar
    Gary Keiny
    12/06/2021

    This recipe was great. If I could I would give it 6 stars. I gobbled this up with my family in 3 seconds. It was a world record. I recommend adding strawberries inside at the beginning.

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      12/06/2021

      Thank you for letting me know how much you loved it, strawberries would add a nice flavor! 😉

      Reply
  3. Erren Hart Avatar
    Erren Hart
    11/22/2021

    So happy to hear it! Thanks for stopping by and sharing!

    Reply
  4. Daniel Horkenshtar Avatar
    Daniel Horkenshtar
    11/17/2021

    Hey Erren I tried it with some siracha and it brought a kick. My wife again as u know was being a pig. Eating all my food and not leaving any for me. I only tried it while I was cooking so I do not know the full taste. Maybe one day I can come to your house and you could cook for me. I am very hungry please help my Wife is helpppppp

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      11/18/2021

      So glad you like it Daniel, maybe make it when you know your wife is out? Good luck 🙂

      Reply
  5. Daniel Horkenshtar Avatar
    Daniel Horkenshtar
    11/02/2021

    I enjoyed this on the weekends with my wife Daniela. She eats like a pig but its funny to watch her enjoy this lovely pasta. I like to add carrots and relish because they are her favorites. Thank you for this.

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      11/03/2021

      I’m so glad you like it Daniel 🙂

      Reply
  6. Mary Jane Avatar
    Mary Jane
    09/17/2021

    Omg my kids loved this so much!!!

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      09/20/2021

      Thank you Mary, I love to hear this 🙂

      Reply
    2. Isaac Murdock Avatar
      Isaac Murdock
      10/12/2021

      My chemistry class loves this recipe. Thank you so much

      Reply
      1. Erren Hart Avatar
        Erren Hart
        10/12/2021

        That’s so great to hear, Isaac! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂

      2. Mr.Cho Avatar
        Mr.Cho
        10/14/2021

        I also used it for my Spanish class they hated it sadly. But my kids and I eat it weekly

      3. Erren Hart Avatar
        Erren Hart
        10/15/2021

        Sorry it wasn’t a hit with the Spanish class, but I’m glad your kids like it! 🙂

      4. Micheal Tarpaper Avatar
        Micheal Tarpaper
        11/18/2021

        As a friend that recently visited Isaac i really enjoyed this dish. He made it again for me after we went to the apple store.

  7. Ashleigh Moore Avatar
    Ashleigh Moore
    09/06/2021

    this is my favorite pasta salad ever!!! question though is that cilantro and celery you have chopped up in there too?

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      09/07/2021

      Hi Ashleigh, I updated the recipe when I republished to include celery and chopped parsley because every time I make it, those additions are what my family requests most often. Hope you approve!

      Reply
      1. ASHLEIGH MOORE Avatar
        ASHLEIGH MOORE
        11/17/2021

        Yeah I definitely approve. I see that you updated it to include the chopped parsely but my family likes it with some barbeque pudding inside because it gives it more of a kick. I on the other hand like it with ur recipe. Try it with some green beans and asparagus on the side. It works really well

      2. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
        Erren’s Kitchen
        11/18/2021

        Sounds like you know how to work with a recipe, glad you all enjoy it 🙂

  8. Barnald Gorny Avatar
    Barnald Gorny
    09/02/2021

    I rate this 5/10 because it should be 10/9. So other than that I love to soup me eat. Good day mate. :*

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      09/05/2021

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  9. Erren Hart Avatar
    Erren Hart
    08/26/2021

    Yay! I’m so happy when people take the time to share their experience!

    Reply
  10. Maryse Avatar
    Maryse
    12/21/2020

    Excellent

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      12/21/2020

      Thank you Maryse, I’m glad you liked the recipe 🙂

      Reply
←Older Comments
1 2 3 4
Newer Comments→
A woman with long dark hair and a dark blue shirt is smiling while leaning on a kitchen counter. In front of her are a plate of pasta and a cutting board with chopped herbs. A potted plant, a cooking pot, and a marble backsplash are in the background.

Welcome

Thank you for visiting Erren’s Kitchen! Here you will find a collection of easy & delicious recipes made with fresh, simple ingredients.

MORE ABOUT ERREN

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL!

Don’t forget to tag me on social @ErrensKitchen to be featured!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X

Win a $100!

Join the Made with Erren Challenge for a chance to win an Amazon gift card!

Find Out More

Trending


  • Best EVER Potato Wedges

    Best EVER Potato Wedges

  • Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

    Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

  • The Best Fettuccine Alfredo of Your Life

    The Best Fettuccine Alfredo of Your Life

  • Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

    Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

  • Award Winning Banana Bread

    Award Winning Banana Bread

  • Crispy Roasted Potatoes

    Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Reader Favorites


  • Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

    The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

  • Ultimate Orange Cake

    Ultimate Orange Cake

  • Fudgy Chocolate Chip Brownies

    Fudgy Chocolate Chip Brownies

Quick
Desserts
Dinner
Comforts
Poultry
Pasta
Meat
Seafood
Sides

Favorite Recipes from 2024

These posts were seen over 4.5 million times!

  • The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

    The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

  • Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

    Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

  • Quick & Easy Chinese Noodle Soup

    Quick & Easy Chinese Noodle Soup

  • Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

    Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

  • Donut Glaze Recipe

    Donut Glaze Recipe

  • Crispy Roasted Potatoes

    Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Still hungry?

Subscribe to my Newsletter for all my latest recipes!

All Recipes
Dinner Ideas
Conversion Guide
Quick & Easy
Erren hart of Erren's Kitchen leaning on a kitchen island.

About your Chef

I’m Erren, I have a passion for cooking and baking from scratch to create simple, nourishing, delicious recipes made with fresh ingredients, free from artificial additives and preservatives you find in prepackaged foods.

Meet Erren
Life Updates
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X
Contact
Work with Me
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer

© All Rights Reserved. Brand by MRD. Site by OC.

93.2K shares
  • 1.3K

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.