Oh, hi Summer! It’s nice to see you. Kind of. I have to admit that I REALLY hate Florida summers. The humidity just totally disgusts me! You can break a sweat just walking to the mailbox. And don’t even get me started on my hair. Thick and wavy hair does not work well in humidity. I don’t even know why I bother straightening my hair.
One thing I do enjoy about summer is food. Duh. Summertime makes me think of great picnic and BBQ foods. Pasta and potato salads are a summer favorite. I have some serious standards when it comes to pasta salads. If there is a ton of mayo, you can forget it! I also like my pasta salads to filled with other great ingredients like lots of fresh veggies for added texture and flavor.
THIS pasta salad! This pasta salad is an exception to my pasta salad rule. There isn’t a ton of mayo. The buttermilk gives it a nice tang and the dill just adds even more great flavor! The other thing I love about this pasta salad is how versatile it is. I added peas, corn, and bacon to mine as that is what I had on hand at home, but you could really add so many different things to this pasta salad! Maybe some cherry tomatoes, broccoli, or carrots. I think some chicken or shrimp would also be nice!
OH, and before we get to the recipe, have you entered my digital food scale giveaway from SlimKicker? What are you waiting for?! Enter here!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole grain shell pasta (or pasta of your choice)
- 1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise (I used the kind made with olive oil)
- 1/4 cup low fat or fat free buttermilk
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 4-5 slices reduced fat bacon, cooked and diced into small pieces
- 1 tbs. fresh dill, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 tbs. lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- In a small saucepan, combine the frozen corn and peas with about a half a cup of water. Heat on medium heat and cook until the vegetables are warm and tender. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, buttermilk, dill, garlic, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a serving bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn and peas, and bacon. Add the buttermilk sauce and toss to combine. Serve or store in the fridge.
Notes
Adapted from Cooking Light
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Ooh! Buttermilk pasta! I’ve never tried that. It looks so delicious. Love that you paired it will dill, bacon and peas.
Baker Street recently posted..Muffin Monday: Coffee Hazelnut Muffins
I like the idea of cutting back on the mayo and using buttermilk! Shells are my favorite to use when making cold pasta due to the pockets, they can hold a lot of that delicious dressing. The corn kernels as well as the dill does intrigue, I will need to try this version!
Tina@flourtrader recently posted..Elixir Wage Cake
I love the twist by addding dill my friend – it looks stunning and so refreshing rather than creamy and swampy
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Exciting, Exciting, Exciting!
This looks crazy good. My guys would love this one. I can’t eat mayo unfortunately. This makes me wish I could.
Kim Bee recently posted..Cocoa Pebbles Cheesecake and my Caketastrophe Story
Love this version of pasta salad. Such great flavor combinations! I share your pain about summer hair
Anita at Hungry Couple recently posted..The Ultimate Macaroni Salad
Positively perfect pasta!
I love the use of buttermilk here. Well done. 
I love summer… but I don’t like it too hot either. Hope the storm passed from where you live without any issues.
Ramona recently posted..Meatball and Potato Curry
hmmm yummy! I will try this at home. Thanks for the recipe. It sure does really delicious!
This is beautiful, it looks delicious!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist recently posted..Eat Skinny: Whole Wheat Carrot Pancakes Recipe
I love reading about new pasta salad recipes. This one sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
ooooh, gorgeous photos of this dish…loving all the greens! I’ve never been a fan of pasta salad, but that hasn’t stopped me from making it for picnics or pot lucks, because they are always winners! Tucking this recipe in my tool kit
Emily Lynne {The Best of this Life} recently posted..Last Day to Vote!
This looks so light and summery. I always love green peas in salads … yum
CJ at Food Stories recently posted..Food Stories Award – Judge Announcement
This looks like the perfect dish to make and eat on a hot summer day. Yum! I have curly hair so I feel you on humidity!!!
Susie recently posted..Chicken Gyros
Peas, corn and bacon sound perfect! Beautiful salad!
Liz recently posted..Individual Spinach, Mushroom and Prosciutto Quiches~
I’ll trade places with you.
Mmmm this pasta salad is calling my name. It looks incredible!!
I didn’t know you could put buttermilk in salads like this…I only use it for baking. Great idea! I am all about the pasta salads in the summer time.
Emily @ Life on Food recently posted..Asian Beef Salad
Great pasta salad for summer! My SIL lives in Orlando. We have visited her in August before, NOT fun!! Excited for our first summer in CO where here is next to no humidity!
Oh Stephanie….I love pasta and peas! I think this is a great idea to add buttermilk and cut the mayo. I bet it has a nice tang to it. Perfect for a hot summer day. (Also love that you added corn and bacon!) : )
Anne@FromMySweetHeart recently posted..Triple Chocolate Terrine
First off, all I need is to simply hear the word ‘buttermilk’ and I’m in full swoon mode. Add some lemon and bacon and we’re halfway to heaven… (now if only I could taste it!
). What a lovely photo too Stephanie – spring brilliant.
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles recently posted..Seared Garlic Chicken with Lemon and Olives
I love the buttermilk in these! I’ve adjusted to a dry desert summer (as best I can) over the past few years, and am a little nervous about the humidity that Ohio will bring this year! (Though I’m sure it’s nothing like Florida!)
Baking Serendipity recently posted..Summer Favorites (Giveaway!)
Florida summers, yeah. Not sure I would be such a fan. But it is a welcome friend here in Boston! Lovely salad.
Carolyn recently posted..Endive En Jambon (Endive Round-up and Giveaway!)
I try to steer away from the mayo-laden pasta salads too! I love that there’s dill in this, so I bet I would love it!
Peggy recently posted..BBQ Chicken Quiche
I love summer because of the light, colorful and delicious food too..but i agree with you on FL…even the wall are sweating over there LOL!
Great photos, and recipe….love how fresh and beautiful it looks!
Sandra’s Easy Cooking recently posted..Thai Beef Stir-Fry over Brown Rice
The buttermilk is such a nice touch!
Tiffany recently posted..Strawberry-Mint Spelt Shortbread
I love the idea of adding the buttermilk, it would taste so tangy and fun! Summertime food just rocks in my book:-) This would be a delicious treat to take to any BBQ! Hugs, Terra
Terra recently posted..Lime Posset With Strawberry Lime Gelée
This looks like the perfect Summer salad! And dill has been rocking my world lately – trying this soon!
Ashley – BakerbyNature recently posted..Berry Pie Smoothie
I was just sharing with my friend regarding our mutual hatred for summer. Even enjoying ice creams becomes a race with the sun. But this kind of pasta dishes are a treat. Especially when they’re cold.
I love summer too (and even the humidity….I just stay away from mirrors!) I love a good pasta salad, but I agree, they are usually overloaded with mayo. I love the bacon in this too, I bet it goes nicely with the dill. Hope you have a great weekend!
Alyssa recently posted..Salmon BLT Wrap with Chive Aioli
I love pasta salad. This sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
I love pasta, always! But recently I’ve had a crazy buttermilk obsession, so this pasta salad in particular is lookin’ pretty dang good right now!!!!
this is a great posting with great pics! thank you. ^^