Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad

By Becky Hardin

Published Aug 2, 2021

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Things just got delicious with this jalapeno popper pasta salad! Creamy, cheesy and spicy, this pasta salad is far from bland!

Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad Recipe

Mix up your pasta salad game with this yummy recipe!

A creamy pasta salad is loaded with cheese, jalapenos and bacon for one delicious side dish that everyone will love!

Be sure to try my Jalapeno Popper Deviled Eggs and Kielbasa Jalapeno Popper Bites !

Why you’ll love this Spicy Bacon Pasta Salad recipe:

EASY: Just cook the pasta and mix everything together. This is one effortless recipe!
MAKE AHEAD: This is a great side if you are planning a big feast as it can be made ahead of time.
DELICIOUS : Seriously guys, there is nothing not to love about this dish! I was eating it right out of the bowl!

Simple and easy to make, it’s the perfect dish to serve at cookouts, potlucks and picnics .

How to make Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

Cook the pasta, drain and rinse with cold water.
Mix together the cream cheese, mayo, sour cream and vinegar and add in the seasonings and pickled jalapenos.
Toss the bacon, cheeses and cilantro with the pasta.
Pour over the sauce and stir to combine.

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Can you make it ahead of time?

Yes, this is a great make ahead dish and will keep well in the fridge, covered, for two or three days. Perfect if you are planning a big spread.

Because this pasta salad contains mayo and cream, don’t leave it at room temperature for more than a couple of hours.

What’s the best pasta to use?

I made this with rotini pasta, it’s ridges help to capture that delicious creamy sauce. Most short pastas will work well in this, bow tie, macaroni and penne are all great choices.

What do you serve it with?

This jalapeno popper pasta salad is made for cookouts and BBQs . It’s great to serve with burgers, ribs and grilled meats. Try it with:

Grilled Burgers
St. Louis Grilled Ribs
Sweet and Sour Brisket
Grilled Flank Steak

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Tips!

Cook the pasta al dente. It it is overcooked it will be too soft and will fall apart when you combine it with the other ingredients.
Run the pasta under cold water once it is cooked and drained. This will stop the cooking process and will mean that the cream and mayo won’t separate when you mix it together.
Make it vegetarian by omitting the bacon.

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This jalapeno popper pasta salad is so good you guys, and it’s crazy easy to make. Trust me, this one is a keeper!

More Pasta Salad Recipes we Love

Italian Pasta Salad
Pesto Pasta Salad
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Tricolor Pasta Salad
Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad
Pasta Salad with Shrimp

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!

Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 1 pound pasta rotini or other
▢ 4 ounces cream cheese half a bar
▢ ¼ cup mayonnaise
▢ ¼ cup sour cream
▢ 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
▢ ½ teaspoon pepper
▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
▢ ¼ cup pickled jalapenos
▢ 5 slices bacon cooked and chopped into crumbles
▢ ½ cup cheddar cheese cubed
▢ ½ cup pepper jack cheese cubed
▢ 1 Tablespoon cilantro minced, divided
▢ 1 jalapeno thinly sliced

Instructions

In a large pan, cook the pasta according to package directions. Then drain and rinse with cold water. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream and red wine vinegar. Mix well by hand or with a hand mixer. Make sure there are no lumps, then add the pepper, garlic powder and pickled jalapenos.
Add the cooked bacon, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese and 2 teaspoons of cilantro to the pasta. Toss to combine.
Pour the sauce over the pasta and combine.
Serve with a sliced jalapeno and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Becky’s Tips

Cook the pasta al dente. It it is overcooked it will be too soft and will fall apart when you combine it with the other ingredients.
Run the pasta under cold water once it is cooked and drained. This will stop the cooking process and will mean that the cream and mayo won’t separate when you mix it together.
Make it vegetarian by omitting the bacon.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients

1 pound pasta rotini or other
4 ounces cream cheese half a bar
¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ cup pickled jalapenos
5 slices bacon cooked and chopped into crumbles
½ cup cheddar cheese cubed
½ cup pepper jack cheese cubed
1 Tablespoon cilantro minced, divided
1 jalapeno thinly sliced

Instructions

In a large pan, cook the pasta according to package directions. Then drain and rinse with cold water. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream and red wine vinegar. Mix well by hand or with a hand mixer. Make sure there are no lumps, then add the pepper, garlic powder and pickled jalapenos.
Add the cooked bacon, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese and 2 teaspoons of cilantro to the pasta. Toss to combine.
Pour the sauce over the pasta and combine.
Serve with a sliced jalapeno and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Notes

Cook the pasta al dente. It it is overcooked it will be too soft and will fall apart when you combine it with the other ingredients.
Run the pasta under cold water once it is cooked and drained. This will stop the cooking process and will mean that the cream and mayo won’t separate when you mix it together.
Make it vegetarian by omitting the bacon.

Nutrition

By Becky Hardin

Published Jul 12, 2017

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

Essential Grocery List

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Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List

What to Buy at the Grocery Store

This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.

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So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!