Million Dollar Pasta Salad

    If there’s one side dish that disappears fast, it’s this million dollar pasta salad. It’s packed with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, fresh veggies, and a creamy dressing that ties it all together. It’s sure to steal the spotlight at any table!  

    Large bowl of creamy million dollar pasta salad.

    Why You’ll Keep Making This

    • Big Flavor in Every Bite: Simple ingredients come together for a bold, creamy pasta salad that’s full of flavor.
    • Quick and Easy to Make: Ready in about 20 minutes with very little prep, making it a go-to for busy days.
    • Perfect for Any Gathering: Great for potlucks, BBQs, and weeknights! And pairs perfectly with burgers, steak, and all your grilled favorites.

    Ingredients for Million Dollar Pasta Salad

    Overhead shot of labeled million dollar pasta salad ingredients.
    • Pasta: I used penne, but rotini or bowtie work great too.
    • Tomatoes: I like grape tomatoes best. They hold their shape and don’t get mushy. You can use any tomato you like, though.
    • Bacon: Use precooked bacon to keep this quick and easy.
    • Slivered Almonds: These add that classic million-dollar crunch. You can leave them out if you want.
    Overhead shot of labeled dressing ingredients.

    How to Make Million Dollar Pasta Salad

    This pasta salad is a total hit! People always go back for seconds. It’s creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor. Try my million dollar dip and million dollar chicken next!

    1. Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse the cooked pasta in cold water.
    2. Combine: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, bacon, grape tomatoes, parsley, green onions, cheddar cheese, and slivered almonds.
    3. Make the Dressing: In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
    4. Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the million dollar pasta and mix until combined.
    Pasta being cooked in water.
    All of the salad ingredients added to a large bowl.
    All of the dressing ingredients added to a bowl and mixed together.
    Dressing added to the top of the salad ingredients ready to be mixed in.

    Alyssa’s Pro Tip

    Add your own twist! If you want, you can try adding other veggies like chopped bell peppers, red onion, or broccoli!

    Print

    Million Dollar Pasta Salad

    This million dollar pasta salad is loaded with bacon, cheddar, fresh veggies, and a creamy dressing.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Keyword million dollar pasta salad recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 426kcal
    Author Alyssa Rivers

    Equipment

    • Strainer
    • Whisk
    • Glass Bowls
    • Pot

    Ingredients

    Pasta Salad

    • 1 (16-ounce) box penne pasta uncooked
    • 1 cup cooked and chopped bacon
    • 1½ cups halved grape tomatoes or cherry
    • ¼ cup chopped parsley
    • ½ cup thinly sliced green onions
    • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
    • ½ cup slivered almonds

    Dressing

    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup buttermilk
    • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Cook 1 (16-ounce) box penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse the cooked pasta in cold water.
    • In a large bowl, combine the pasta, 1 cup cooked and chopped bacon, 1½ cups halved grape tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped parsley, ½ cup thinly sliced green onions, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and ½ cup slivered almonds.
    • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
    • Pour the dressing over the pasta and mix until combined.

    Notes

    Leftover and Make Ahead Instructions
    • Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. For best results, reserve a little dressing and toss it in right before serving to freshen it up.
    • Freezer: Not recommended, as the texture will not hold up well after thawing.
    • Make-Ahead: You can prep the ingredients ahead of time, just wait to toss the salad with the dressing until right before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 770mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 551IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 1mg
    Someone taking a large spoonful of million dollar pasta salad out of the large serving bowl.

    More Favorite Pasta Salads

    Did you make this pasta salad? Drop a comment below! I’d love to know what your family thought. If you want more potluck favorites, check out more of my easy pasta salads!