Pasta BLT Salad

Pasta BLT Salad

Are you ready for the summer months of picnics, game parties and family gatherings? My crew loves pasta salad and this one tops our list. I like that it is just as good the next day so left overs if any are not a problem.

Ingredients:
12 ounce pasta (any shape – we love both the tube style and cork screw)
½ cup milk
12 ounces bacon
4 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon thyme
1 clove garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1/2 cup sour cream
1 bunch chopped green onions
1 bunch chopped romaine hearts

Directions:
~ Cook the pasta in a large pot according to package.
~ Drain well and place in large bowl (not the serving dish just a large bowl to mix everything together)
~ Salt & Pepper and pour in the milk. Gently toss to coat
~ Cook the bacon until crispy. I prefer No Mess Oven Method but stove top works just as well.
~ Drain about 3 tablespoons of the bacon drippings into a skillet and place on medium-high heat.
~ Add garlic, thyme, and tomatoes in bacon drippings and cooked until the tomatoes start to break down (maybe 4-5 minutes)
~ Crumble or cut up the bacon, reserve  1/2 cup for garnish.
~ Fold in the chopped bacon and the heated garlic, thyme, tomato mixture to the pasta.
~ In another bowl, combine the mayonnaise, greek yogurt, sour cream and about half the green onions.
~ Fold into pasta mixture making sure to coat all the pieces. I will salt and pepper again at this point in the recipe (taste it to see if it needs more).
~ Fold in the romaine lettuce
~ Transfer mixture to serving dish or bowl.
~ Sprinkle the reserved bacon and green onions over the top.

If you have any leftovers, you might want to add a couple of spoonfuls of mayo and gently toss to freshen up.

 

Another easy to make and take is our Make Ahead Salad.