Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad Recipe with Bacon and Bleu Cheese

This creamy asparagus pasta salad recipe has been sponsored by Naturally Fresh® Brand Dressings and The Motherhood but all opinions are my own.

When I was a kid, pasta salad was not my favorite thing to eat. In fact, it was on my list of ‘things to avoid at all cost’ when we went to a picnic or to Grandma’s house. I wasn’t the most adventurous eater as a child and it usually had weird things in it like tiny baby shrimp or miniature ears of corn. No thanks, I told mom. I’ll have a hot dog. Well, as an adult, I have much more refined tastes and this creamy asparagus pasta salad recipe has all of my favorite flavors tucked into one delicious dish!

Pasta Salads are Versatile!

As an adult, the thing I love most about pasta salads is that they are so incredibly versatile. There are dozens of variations depending on your mood. Tiny little shell shaped pasta or giant spirals make the base of your recipe.

Tuna, shrimp or bacon adds a bit of protein to the dish. Chunks of mozzarella cheese or tiny bits of bleu cheese to appeal to the cheese lover. (definitely me!) And the assortment of fresh and lightly steamed veggies you can add are endless. It’s a complete meal all served up in one delicious bowl.

Putting asparagus in pasta salad

Since we are just now moving into spring, I chose this creamy asparagus pasta salad combination. Asparagus is a perennial plant and we put some in the ground years ago in the back yard. It’s one of the first plants to pop back out of the ground in the spring and lets me know that winter is truly gone again for another  year.

I love those fresh, tender little spears even if I don’t get very many of them from my own garden. They are abundant in the grocery store right now and the stalks are thin, tender and absolutely yummy.

Using Blue Cheese Dressing Is An Easy Shortcut

To go along with my deliciously tender asparagus, I chose Naturally Fresh Bleu Cheese dressing, which is free from all artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, which I really appreciate. I absolutely LOVE Bleu Cheese and Naturally Fresh dressings are made with the best ingredients inside.

Naturally Fresh uses real chunks of aged bleu cheese and their own buttermilk and spices. Since there are no artificial preservatives in this dressing, you will find it in the refrigerated section at the grocery store so it stays fresh. Check out the Naturally Fresh store locator to find a retailer near you.

Bacon Makes Everything Better!

Since nothing goes better in my mind with bleu cheese then bacon, I added a few handfuls of that, too. I chose a nice thick cut bacon that was coated with coarse black pepper but there is really no such thing as bad bacon, right? Just cook up a few slices and crumble them up before tossing all your ingredients together.

As we move into spring, consider giving your menu a spring cleaning of its own. Rethink the ingredients you put into your recipes. Not sure how to do that? Here are a few simple tips:

• Buy local and/or in season:  You will reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and your food will taste better
• Choose better-for-you products:   If a product contains ingredients you can’t pronounce, choose something else.
• Choose sustainable grown and raised foods:  Meats that are from free range/grass fed animals, organic fruits and veggies and responsibly farmed seafood are all good choices.
• Eat a rainbow every day:  Tuck those colorful fruits and vegetables into every dish you make. The more colors you add to your food, the more nutrients your body receives!

You can learn more about Naturally Fresh dressings by following them on Facebook or checking on the Naturally Fresh dressings website.

 

Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad Recipe

 with Bacon and Bleu Cheese

Yield: serves 4 to 6

Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad Recipe with Bacon and Bleu Cheese

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This Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad Recipe with Bacon and Bleu Cheese is an easy pasta salad with loads of flavorful ingredients.

Prep Time 45 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) box of pasta
• 1 pound of asparagus, washed and cut into 2 to 3 inch pieces
• 2 to 3 TBSP olive oil
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 to 3 TBSP crumbled bleu cheese
• 1/2 cup Naturally Fresh Bleu Cheese dressing
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse and set aside
2. In a large frying pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add asparagus and saute 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. You want them tender but still crisp
3. Remove from heat and let cool.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, asparagus, crumbled bacon, bell pepper, crumbled bleu cheese and Naturally Fresh Bleu Cheese dressing.
5. Mix well and add additional salt and pepper if desired
6. Eat at room temperature or chill for eating later.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 354Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 482mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 9g

Nutrition information not always accurate