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Fall Pasta Salad

Fall pasta salad in white bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, bacon, apples, and cranberries
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This Fall Pasta Salad is packed with roasted sweet potatoes, crispy bacon, and apples in a delicious dijon maple vinaigrette. The perfect side dish for any autumn gathering!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (like rotini, fusilli, or penne)
  • 1 large sweet potato, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 large apple, diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
  • 1/3 cup olive oil (for vinaigrette)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (for vinaigrette)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (for vinaigrette)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Toss diced sweet potato with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender. Let cool for 10 minutes.
  3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and emulsified.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooled roasted sweet potatoes, crumbled bacon, diced apple, red onion, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans.
  6. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine thoroughly.
  7. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Rinsing the pasta after cooking is key to preventing it from getting sticky and mushy in the salad.
  • Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add 1 cup of shredded chicken or chickpeas to make it a more substantial meal.
  • The salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance, but add the apples and pecans right before serving to keep them from getting soft.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/fall-pasta-salad/