Sweet Potato & Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe
A flavorful Sweet Potato & Bacon Pasta Salad combining tender roasted sweet potatoes, crispy bacon, fresh arugula, and a tangy maple-Dijon dressing. This versatile salad can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled, making it perfect for any season or occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 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 the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the diced sweet potato cubes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes until they become tender and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- Cook the Bacon: While the sweet potatoes are roasting, cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat and cool. Crumble the bacon into small pieces once cooled.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste until the dressing is smooth and combined.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, roasted sweet potatoes, crumbled bacon, and fresh arugula.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Gently toss everything together to ensure even coating.
- Add Pecans and Serve: Sprinkle chopped pecans on top if using. Serve the salad warm, at room temperature, or chilled according to your preference.
Notes
- You can use any short pasta like rotini, penne, or fusilli for this salad.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or replace with crispy smoked tempeh.
- Salad can be prepared ahead and refrigerated; add arugula just before serving to maintain freshness.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavors, but it’s equally tasty warm or at room temperature.
- Adjust seasoning after tossing with dressing to suit your taste.
Keywords: Sweet Potato Pasta Salad, Bacon Pasta Salad, Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, Maple Dijon Dressing, Easy Pasta Salad
