There’s a touch of culinary magic that occurs when two beloved dishes unite to create something entirely new. The cronut stands as a sweet testament to this phenomenon, but for those seeking a savory delight that’s sure to satisfy both family and friends, we present the “loaded” deviled egg pasta salad. If you happen to be a devotee of deviled eggs and a pasta salad aficionado, rest assured that this recipe is bound to be a crowd-pleaser.
“This recipe showcases an array of flavors and textures, offering a delightful twist on the conventional pasta salad,” notes recipe developer Kate Shungu. “Notably, the addition of bacon adds an unexpected, yet delightful, dimension to this dish.” Just as you might serve deviled eggs or pasta salad at a lively barbecue or potluck, this innovative creation seamlessly fits into the same culinary landscape. “It makes for an excellent side dish alongside burgers, brats, grilled chicken – essentially anything you’d typically offer at a cookout,” Shungu suggests.
Gather the Ingredients for this Lavish Deviled Egg Pasta Salad Begin by collecting the necessary ingredients. You may find that many of them are already staples in your pantry, but it’s possible that you’ll need to either boil eggs or procure a few of the additional components from the store before commencing. “In this recipe, we fuse the essence of deviled eggs with pasta salad, elevating it to a ‘loaded’ status with a medley of mix-ins, including bacon, pimentos, chives, and cheddar cheese,” explains Shungu.
You’ll require a package of elbow pasta, hard-boiled eggs, a yellow onion, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, cooked and crumbled bacon (you can either prepare your own or opt for the store-bought version), chopped pimentos, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh chives, and paprika.
Prepare the Pasta Chances are, this isn’t your first encounter with cooking pasta, so go ahead and prepare it as you typically would, remembering to season the boiling water for added flavor. However, do consult the cooking instructions on the pasta package, as thicker pasta like elbow macaroni requires slightly more cooking time compared to thinner varieties like spaghetti or angel hair. Once the pasta reaches your desired level of doneness, drain it and set it aside to cool.
Prep the Hard-Boiled Eggs You’ll need six hard-boiled eggs for this recipe, with one of them reserved for garnish – set it aside. For the remaining eggs, separate the yolks and chop the egg whites, ensuring they remain separate before setting them aside.
Craft the Deviled Egg Dressing Essentially, this pasta salad is enveloped in a luxurious deviled egg “dressing,” marking the first significant step in the process. Place the egg yolks in a spacious bowl and mash them together. Then, introduce the chopped onion, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper into the bowl. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture achieves a mostly smooth consistency.
Incorporate the Pasta and Ingredients
Now that the delectable sauce is ready, introduce the cooked pasta, diced egg whites, three-quarters of the crispy bacon, chopped pimentos, and shredded cheddar cheese into the same bowl. Employ a spoon to thoroughly blend all the components until they harmonize seamlessly.
Add the Finishing Touches, Chill, and Present the Salad
The final step involves the artful garnishing of the salad. Retrieve the hard-boiled egg you had set aside earlier, and slice it, arranging the slices in an attractive fan pattern atop the macaroni. Sprinkle the remaining portion of crispy bacon and the finely chopped chives over the salad, culminating with a gentle dusting of paprika for a dash of color and flavor. According to Shungu, you have the option to savor the salad immediately, but for those who relish a chilled delight, refrigerate it for several hours before serving alongside your preferred main courses.
Should you find yourself with leftover deviled egg pasta salad, fret not; it can be stored for 4-5 days. In fact, you might even discover a preference for the salad a day or two after preparation, as the flavors will have melded even more beautifully.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digest Pulse journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
