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Indulge in the irresistible flavors of a low-carb and keto-friendly Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad. This easy-to-make dish combines the essence of your favorite appetizer with the creamy goodness of pasta. Perfect for picnics, BBQs, or any occasion!
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Hey there, fellow foodies! Brace yourselves for a flavor explosion that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance. Today, I am thrilled to share with you a fabulous recipe for a low-carb Jalapeno Popper Salad that will take your BBQs, picnics, and summer celebrations to a whole new level. Prepare to tantalize your senses with the spicy goodness of roasted jalapenos in this creamy pasta salad. Trust me, you won't even believe it's low carb!
Let's talk about my family's obsession with jalapenos shall we?
We just can't get enough of those fiery little peppers, especially when they're roasted on the grill. During the spring and summer, our fridge is always stocked with a container of roasted jalapenos. We add them to scrambled eggs, toss them in salads, and even pile them onto our burgers and steaks. We love that smoky flavor and subtle little kick they add to every dish.
Now, imagine taking that love for jalapenos and incorporating it into a sensational salad. This Jalapeno Popper Salad combines all the flavors you adore in a traditional jalapeno popper, but with a low-carb twist. The secret ingredient? Fiber Gourmet low carb pasta. I thank the heavens above for the day I discovered this product. It's a game-changer that allows you to indulge in your pasta cravings without sacrificing your dietary goals. It's a win-win situation! And no, I was not paid to say that my friends. I just love it THAT much!!
Father's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a sizzling BBQ feast? This Jalapeno Popper Salad makes the perfect side dish to accompany your grilled meats and celebrate the special fathers in your life. The combination of spicy jalapenos, tangy cream cheese, and crispy bacon will have everyone coming back for seconds, guaranteed.
Now, I know that some of you might be following a strict keto diet. Don't worry; I've got you covered! This recipe is incredibly versatile. If you're looking to cut down on carbs even further, you can easily swap out the low carb pasta for chopped cooked cauliflower. This creates a super low-carb version that will still make your taste buds sing with joy. It's a droolworthy option for those aiming for ketosis while still satisfying their jalapeno popper cravings.
So, my fellow food enthusiasts, it's time to fire up that grill, grab your those ingredients, and create a show-stopping low-carb Jalapeno Popper Salad that will leave everyone begging for the recipe. Whether you're celebrating Father's Day, hosting a backyard BBQ, or planning a delightful picnic, this salad is the perfect addition to your menu. With the explosive flavors of roasted jalapenos, a tangy cream cheese sauce, and crispy bacon, it's a dish that embodies the true essence of summer.
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🥘Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad Ingredients
These are the ingredients necessary to make Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad.
- Jalapenos - I roast the jalapenos in the oven for this but I have also roasted them on the grill to get that smoky flavor.
- Greek Yogurt - I prefer to use plain Greek yogurt for this as it adds that extra "tang" to the dressing.
- Whipped Cream Cheese - I prefer to use whipped cream cheese because it is easier to incorporate into the salad.
A detailed list with measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
🔪Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad Instructions
This is a basic breakdown of the steps involved in making Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad. You will find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Set the oven to broil.
- Broil the jalapenos until the skins begin to char.
- Place the roasted jalapenos in a zipper top bag, seal, and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes.
- Remove the skins and chop.
- Cook the pasta and cook the bacon.
- Mix the ingredients together.
Hint: For a delightful twist, try adding a handful of diced roasted red bell peppers to your Jalapeno Popper Salad. The sweet and smoky flavor of the roasted peppers beautifully complements the spiciness of the jalapenos, creating a delicious balance of flavors. It's a fantastic way to add an extra pop of color and taste to your salad.
Substitutions
- Jalapenos - if you do not want to roast fresh jalapenos you can use chopped pickled jalapenos instead. The amount you would use would be up to your taste requirements but, as a general guideline, you can use approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped pickled jalapenos to substitute for one fresh jalapeno. Keep in mind that pickled jalapenos may have a tangier and less spicy taste compared to fresh jalapenos.
- Whipped Cream Cheese - if you don't have whipped cream cheese on hand you can use regular cream cheese just make sure that it is room temperature.
- Greek Yogurt - if you don't want to use Greek yogurt you can replace it with sour cream. Be advised that will change the flavor profile slightly. You may want to add a bit of white vinegar or even some lime juice to achieve that "tang" you get from the yogurt.
📖Variations
Giving the visitor ideas on how they can change this recipe to better suit their dinner guests, or their cultural cuisine, is a great way to increase the chances they make the recipe
- Guacamole - add chopped avocado, halved grape or cherry tomatoes, and lime juice and zest.
- Southwest - add a bit of Mexican seasoning, chopped tomatoes, and black beans (you can omit if strict keto).
- Smoky Bacon - add a touch of smoked paprika, chopped green onions, and more crispy bacon bits making sure to sprinkle them on top for an added crunch.
🍽Equipment
This is the equipment you will need to make Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad.
Storage
Store the Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Good for 3-4 days.
These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing. While it is possible to freeze Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad, it may not retain its optimal texture and flavor after thawing. The dairy-based ingredients, such as whipped cream cheese and Greek yogurt, can change in consistency and become watery when frozen and thawed.
💭Top tip
To control the level of spiciness in your Jalapeno Popper Salad, you can adjust the number of jalapenos you include. If you prefer a milder version, use fewer jalapenos. For those seeking an extra kick, keep the seeds and ribs intact or add an extra jalapeno to the mix.
FAQ about Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad
Yes, the salad does have a spicy kick due to the roasted jalapenos. However, you can adjust the level of spiciness by removing the seeds and ribs from the jalapenos or reducing the amount used.
Certainly! You can get creative and add extra toppings or ingredients to personalize your Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad. Some popular options include diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, or grilled chicken for added flavor and variety.
Absolutely! Simply use vegan cream cheese and vegan plain yogurt, sour cream or even vegan mayo. You can omit the bacon or replace it with plant based bacon alternatives or bacon bits (many commercial bacon bits are vegan) to maintain the delicious flavors of the salad.
More Low Carb & Keto Pasta Ideas
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Mushroom Swiss Cheeseburger Pasta
- Keto Pasta with White Clam Sauce
- Keto Lemon Asparagus Chicken Pasta
- Low Carb Chicken Ramen
- Keto Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad:
- Keto BBQ Ribs
- Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Aji Verde (Peruvian Green Sauce)
- Keto Animal Style Double Double Cheeseburger
- Keto Margarita Shrimp
- Grilled Salmon
Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 jalapenos halved with the seeds, and ribs removed
- 2 tbsp Avocado or olive oil
- 6 slices bacon diced
- 16 ounces Fiber Gourmet light elbow pasta
- 1/2 cup whipped cream cheese
- 1 1/2 cup Plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp organic garlic powder
- 1 tsp organic onion powder
- pink salt
- cracked black pepper
- 6 ounces cheddar cheese shredded (1 1/2 cups)
Instructions
- Place a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil and, with the oven rack at the top of the oven, and set the oven to broil.
- Toss the jalapenos with the olive oil to lightly coat and place the jalapenos on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Broil them for 10 minutes or until the skin begins to char.
- Meanwhile, boil the pasta to the manufacturers directions,
- When the pasta is done, drain then place in a large mixing bowl and add the whipped cream cheese. Stir to combine and set aside.
- When the jalapenos have roasted place them in a Ziplock baggie or tightly covered bowl and allow them to sit for 20 minutes.
- Remove the skins from the cooled jalapenos, and chop.
- Add the remaining ingredients and roasted jalapenos to the pasta and cream cheese and combine well.
- Store in refrigerator in an airtight container until served.
Disclaimer
Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs will not be included as it has a glycemic index of 0 (meaning it does not spike blood sugar) and it’s not metabolized. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Nutrition
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Chef Dennis Littley
Aye Carumba that pasta salad is calling my name! This would have been the perfect side dish for our 4th of July barbecue!
Bobbi | Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Yes! I made it for today's BBQ, but trust me, it will be made a million times more over the summer grilling season!
Unknown
Pasta Salad looks so good, thanks for sharing the recipe.
Unknown
I love a good pasta salad and I bet the jalapeno's add a nice kick to it! What an awesome idea to add them in!
Unknown
This looks like it would be a great side dish for a bbq!
Anonymous
I love everything about this! Jalepenos AND pasta...yum!
Unknown
My mouth is watering just looking at the pictures! Looks amazing! Definitely a "to make" item!
Lois Alter Mark
Wow, that looks delicious! And it's so much more interesting than typical Fourth of July barbecue food!
Bobbi | Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Yes they do 🙂 I made it with 8 jalapenos yesterday, and roasted the jalapenos whole before I removed the ribs and seeds. Woohoooo it really had a kick!!
Bobbi | Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
It was! We had hot dogs and burgers and this was the perfect side!!
AmberFaith
This looks mouthwatering! I'd love to give this Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad a try sometime during this summer!
Unknown
My hubby and daughter love meals with peppers in them. This is definitely a dish I would love to try out, thank you. 🙂
Surekha
This is super yum! I would love Jalapenos on everything I eat
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen
Yum! Yes, please! I'll take two bowls. 🙂 Jalapeno poppers and pasta are two of my favorites so combining them is genius.
Bobbi | Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Thanks Kimberly! They are my faves too 🙂