BLT Pasta Salad

The ""BLT" Bacon Lettuce and tomato turned into a tasty pasta salad side dish!"

Now as you know from the Bacon wrapped corn on the cob post, my husband loves his bacon!  So here I took the classic BLT and turned it into the perfect meal.  Here we both get our favorite things, pasta and bacon!  You will need the ingredients below to get started:

Ingredients:

1 Box Mini Bow Tie Pasta (cooked) 2 Ripe Heirloom Tomato's (chopped) 2 Cups Iceberg Lettuce (chopped) 5 Strips Apple-wood Smoked Bacon (cooked and chopped) 1 Can Medium Black Olives (Sliced) 1 Cup Ken's Light Ranch Dressing 1/2 Cup Ken's Ranch Dressing 1/2 Cup Sunflower Seed Oil 2 TBSP Lemon Juice 1 TBSP Dried Basil 1 TBSP Black Pepper 1 TBSP Salt 5 TBSP Bacon Bits Once you have the above items prepped and ready to go you can follow my easy to follow instructions below:

Combine Ranch dressing, Sunflower Seed Oil and Lemon juice in large bowl. Add Basil, Black Pepper and Salt. Next, Stir in prepared pasta and mix well to coat pasta. Gently Stir in Tomatoes, Lettuce and olives. Lastly stir in the chopped bacon and bacon bits. Refrigerate for 1 hour and ENJOY!

Peppery Monterey Jack Pasta Salad

I love pasta salads and make them year round.  Most people give them up once fall arrives.  They are easy to throw together and make a great lunch for the week.  This Peppery Monterey Jack Pasta Salad is one of my favorites.  You have your carbs, veggies, dairy and meat all in one, PERFECT meal!   This also only takes about 25 minutes from start to finish and will get you about 8 good servings.  This receipie was passed down from my mother in law and one of my husbands favorites as well! To get started you will need......

* 8 oz. Mini Bow Tie Pasta
* 2 1/4 Cups Diced Plum Tomatoes
* 1/3 Cup Capers (rinsed and drained)
* 1.4 Cup Banana Peppers (sliced)
* 2 TBSP. Cider Vinegar
* 1 TBSP. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* 1/2 TSP. Dried Oregano
* 1/8 TSP. Salt
* 3 oz.Pepper Jack Cheese (shredded)
* 1 oz. Salami (Chopped)
* 1 Garlic Clove (Minced)


Once you have everything prepped and ready to go it is quite simple, first cook the pasta, drain and set aside. Next combine all other ingredients in a large bowl, add pasta, stir and Enjoy!

Parmasan Pasta Salad

So last night I was starving when I got home from work and wasn't really in the mood for any meat!  My husband cooked himself some delish chicken but while we waited I through together a quick on the spot pasta salad with what we had in the house.  I love using Barilla Veggie Pasta.  You get a full serving of veggies in each serving without having to add in the extra's.

Once this was done cooking I drained the pasta and tossed it with some EVOO.  I added a few shakes of grated parmesan cheese, that melted right into the warm pasta, a little parsley and a little basil.  I finished it up with 1 can of sliced black olives and sea salt.  For throwing something together at the last minuted it was absolutely delish and my husband agreed! Had to write about this one to make sure I never forget how to make it!