Sweet Potato & Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe
A delightful Sweet Potato & Bacon Pasta Salad featuring tender roasted sweet potatoes, crispy bacon, peppery arugula, and a sweet and tangy maple-Dijon dressing. This versatile dish can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled, making it perfect for any season or meal occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta (such as rotini or penne)
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 cup arugula
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans (optional)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the peeled and diced sweet potato cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are tender and lightly browned. Once done, allow them to cool slightly.
- Cook Bacon: While the sweet potatoes are roasting, cook the bacon slices until they are crispy. This can be done in a pan over medium heat or in the oven. After cooking, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then crumble into small pieces once cooled.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, roasted sweet potatoes, crumbled bacon, and fresh arugula. Gently toss to mix all the ingredients evenly.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the combined salad ingredients. Toss gently to ensure everything is coated well with the flavorful dressing.
- Add Pecans and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the salad if using. Serve the salad warm, at room temperature, or chilled, according to your preference.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and consider adding roasted chickpeas or smoked tofu for protein.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you require a gluten-free dish.
- The salad can be prepared ahead of time; store in the refrigerator and add arugula just before serving to keep it fresh.
- Adjust the dressing ingredients to your taste – add more maple syrup for sweetness or extra Dijon mustard for tanginess.
- Chilling the salad for an hour before serving allows flavors to meld beautifully.
Keywords: sweet potato pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, roasted sweet potato salad, maple Dijon dressing, autumn salad
