• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Eat Dessert Snack

Official Site

Header Right

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
  • Dinners
  • Seasonal
    • Fall Recipes
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • About
    • Privacy & Disclosure
    • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home ‣ Recipes ‣ All Recipes

    Creamy Lemon Pasta Salad Recipe

    May 3, 2022 · Modified: May 22, 2022 by Sara · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    ingredient of lemon pasta salad over image of assembled pasta salad.
    ingredient of lemon pasta salad over image of assembled pasta salad.

    Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta Salad  is a cold pasta salad with peas, fresh parmesan, bacon, and a zesty creamy lemon dressing! 

    If you're looking for a delicious creamy pasta salad, I got you! It's one of our favorite lemon pasta salad recipes, along with Blackberry Pear Salad which has a creamy lemon dressing similar to this one. Plus pistachios and more parmesan. Need I say more??

    Bowl of cold creamy lemon pasta salad.

    Ingredients

    These are the basics of what you'll need for this pasta salad recipe. Measurements are listed in the recipe card below!

    • Pasta - cellentani, bowtie, or penne work well.
    • Peas - cooked and cooled
    • Parmesan Cheese - fresh flakes or fresh grated
    • Bacon 
    • Greek Yogurt - plain
    • Lemons - juice and zest
    • Olive Oil
    • Sugar - white granulated
    • Salt & Pepper

    Squeezing lemon juice from lemon into white dish.

    Instructions

    This is the best pasta salad recipe ever! Here's the easiest way to make it.

    Start by preparing the pasta according to package directions, al dente to the bite. Drain and cool.

    Prep Bacon  in frying pan or oven, cook until nice and crispy. Drain the excess grease, then chop bacon.

    Cook Peas then cool to room temp or colder.

    Bacon, peas, parmesan, and pasta in clear bowl on marble.

    Make Lemon Dressing in a small bowl, whisk together greek yogurt, olive oil, sugar, lemon zest and juice.

    PRO TIP: When the pasta is almost finished cooking, dump the peas in with the pasta to cook for a couple of minutes. Less dishes and it combines a step!

    Pouring creamy lemon dressing into lemon pasta salad.

    VARIATIONS

    • Fresh herbs! There are a few that would be FABULOUS. Basil, thyme, parsley, maybe even sage. Try one or a combination, just start small and add more if it tickles your fancy.
    • Gluten Free noodles or whole wheat noodles to be more diet friendly!
    • Substitute veggies! instead of peas you could use steamed asparagus, green beans, or some kale for a fun twist.

    What type of pasta makes the best pasta salad?

    I used cellentani pasta for this recipe because I love the fancy spirals!

    You can use most types of non-filled pasta for this recipe. Some examples are penne, bowtie, small or medium shells, or elbow pasta. Pasta with holes and/or ridges helps hold more delicious creamy lemon sauce with every bite.

    Spoonful of lemon pasta salad.

    Serving and Storage

    MAKE AHEAD?

    YES! This can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.  Simply reserve the parmesan cheese and bacon to add in right before serving.

    I don't recommend freezing this pasta salad due to the dairy content and soggy texture that the pasta can become after freezing.

    Should pasta salad be served cold?

    Yes, this is a cold pasta salad that uses greek yogurt (dairy) so should be served within an hour or two of making.

    More Unique Salad Recipes

    Here are a few of my favorite different and unique salad recipes!

    • Golden Beet Salad with Balsamic Miso Dressing- caramelized onions and feta and miso, oh my!!
    • Roasted Broccoli Salad - with parmesan, crusty sourdough croutons, and roasted pine nuts.
    • Blackberry Pear Salad - Pistachios, a lemon vinaigrette, more parmesan, need I say more??

    I hope you enjoy this lovely lemon pasta salad as much as we do! Make sure to share it on your favorite social media channel if you do!

    Bowl of cold creamy lemon pasta salad.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Lemon Pasta Salad

    Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta Salad  is a cold pasta salad with peas, fresh parmesan, bacon, and a zesty creamy lemon dressing! 
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    0 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Creamy Lemon Dressing, Creamy Pasta Salad, Lemon Pasta Salad
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 282kcal
    Author: Sara

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz. cellentani pasta or bowtie, penne
    • 2 cups peas frozen
    • 6 slices bacon about 1 cup cooked & chopped
    • ⅓ cup parmesan flakes

    For the Creamy Lemon Dressing:

    • ⅔ cup plain greek yogurt
    • ½ cup lemon juice about 2 lemons
    • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 1 Tablespoon white granulated sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

    Instructions

    • Prepare pasta according to package directions (about 8 minutes) until al dente.
    • Add in frozen peas to pasta toward end of cooking to cook for 1-2 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking process and cool.
    • Meanwhile cook bacon over medium heat until crispy, drain excess grease, and chop.
    • Combine cooled pasta, peas, chopped bacon, and parmesan flakes into serving bowl.

    For the Creamy Lemon Dressing:

    • In a small bowl whisk together greek yogurt, lemon juice, zest, olive oil, granulated sugar, salt, and pepper, and mix until smooth.
    • Pour over pasta ingredients and gently fold in until evenly coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 3 days.

    Notes

    If making ahead, reserve cooked bacon and parmesan flakes and add just before serving. 
    May be refrigerated in airtight container for up to 3 days. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 579mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 316IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg

    PIN THIS IMAGE TO SAVE THE RECIPE:

    ingredient of lemon pasta salad over image of assembled pasta salad.

    More All Recipes

    • Lemon Zucchini Bread
    • Lobster Mac and Cheese
    • Valentines Trail Mix
    • Raspberry Donut Cookies
    • View Eat Dessert Snack’s profile on Facebook
    • View eatdessertsnack’s profile on Twitter
    • View eatdessertsnack’s profile on Instagram
    • View Sara@eatdessertsnack’s profile on Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Sara. Registered Nurse by day, food blogger by weekend. Perfect dip tester & snack quester. I love short walks on the beach and long naps. Sharing my love for food, one bite at a time.

    More about me →


    St. Patricks Day Recipes

    • Pistachio Bars
    • Blackberry Pear Salad
    • Pistachio Pudding Mix Cookies
    • Boursin Twice Baked Potatoes

    Popular Recipes

    • Soft Fluffy French Bread
    • Homemade Cherry Pie Filling
    • Best Homemade Orange Rolls
    • Cream Cheese Pie Crust

    Make sure you never miss a recipe! Subscribe for recipes and tips, right to your inbox!

    Footer

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Appetizers

    Contact

    • Contact Us
    • Press

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 EAT DESSERT SNACK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework

    16shares
    • 15
    • 1