This Pasta Salad takes simple ingredients and turns them into a creamy, flavorful side dish that's packed with smoky, savory goodness. Tender rotini gets tossed with sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, dill pickles, and a creamy Garlic Jalapeño dressing.
The Kosmos Q Garlic Jalapeño Rub adds just the right amount of bold garlic and jalapeño flavor, while the pickles, tomatoes, and green onions bring a fresh, crunchy contrast to every bite.
It's incredibly easy to make, comes together in just a few minutes, and gets even better after a short chill in the fridge. Perfect for backyard BBQs, cookouts, potlucks, or whenever you need an easy side that everyone will go back for. Let's get to it.
8 oz. rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
1 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp Kosmos Q Garlic Jalapeño Rub
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ cup red onion, diced
¼ cup dill pickles, diced
¼ cup green onions, chopped
Cook the rotini according to the package directions.
Once the pasta is tender, drain it and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Let the pasta cool completely before moving on to the next step.
You want the pasta nice and cool so the creamy dressing stays thick and the fresh ingredients keep their texture.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of Kosmos Q Garlic Jalapeño Rub.
Mix until the seasoning is evenly incorporated throughout the mayonnaise.
This gives the creamy dressing a bold garlic and jalapeño kick that brings the whole pasta salad together.
Add the cooled rotini to the bowl with the dressing.
Add the cubed sharp cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, diced dill pickles, and chopped green onions.
Toss everything together until the pasta and all the ingredients are evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
Make sure you get plenty of those bacon pieces, cheddar cubes, and crunchy vegetables mixed throughout.
Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
This gives the flavors time to come together while keeping the salad cold and refreshing.
After chilling, give everything a good stir to redistribute the dressing before serving.
Transfer the pasta salad to a serving bowl or platter.
For an extra finishing touch, garnish with a little extra crumbled bacon and chopped green onions.
If you're looking for even more BBQ flavor, add a light drizzle of Kosmos Q Original Competition BBQ Sauce over the top before serving.
Serve it chilled alongside your favorite BBQ meats, burgers, or grilled dishes.
Creamy pasta. Crispy bacon. Sharp cheddar. Fresh vegetables. Tangy dill pickles. And plenty of bold Garlic Jalapeño flavor.
This Pasta Salad is an easy side dish that delivers big flavor without a lot of work.
It's perfect for backyard gatherings, cookouts, potlucks, or any time you need a simple make-ahead side that feeds a crowd.
Make it ahead, let it chill, grab a fork, and dig in.
Catch you on the next recipe!
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