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blt bow-tie pasta salad

(3 ratings)
HoosierLady avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Mary Lee
@HoosierLady
N/W, IN

This salad is great any time and for any occasion. It's delicious too! You can half the recipe if need be. Great for game day parties and cookouts.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

The ultimate pasta salad for BLT lovers. The delicate bow-tie pasta is the right pasta choice for this salad. The ranch dressing is super creamy and complements the rest of the flavors. Using bacon bits means no mess from making the bacon but you get the smoky bacon flavor. Cherry tomatoes add a pop of sweetness while fresh, crisp lettuce adds texture. There's just a hint of red onion in every bite. A delicious pasta salad for summer BBQs everyone will enjoy.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
yield 10 -12
prep time 30 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For blt bow-tie pasta salad

  • 1 box
    bow-tie pasta, cooked and drained (16 oz; you can use med shell pasta instead)
  • 2/3 bottle
    Hormel bacon bits
  • 10-12
    ripe cherry tomatoes halved
  • 3 c
    shredded lettuce "or" 1/2 head lettuce chopped small
  • 1/4 c
    diced red onion
  • 1 - 1 1/2 c
    Hidden Valley ranch dressing
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • OPTIONAL:
  • 1/2 c
    black olive slices (optional)
  • 1/3 c
    shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

How To Make blt bow-tie pasta salad

Test Kitchen Tips
We opted to add the shredded cheese and thought it was a great addition. Since the recipe calls for 2/3 of the bacon bits bottle, we sprinkled the rest of the bottle over the top when serving.
  • Cooked bow-tie pasta and remaining ingredients in a bowl.
    1
    In a large salad bowl add drained bow-tie pasta and all ingredients except for lettuce.
  • Ingredients mixed together and shredded cheese added.
    2
    Mix and toss well. Add optional ingredients and mix in.
  • Ready to refrigerate the pasta salad.
    3
    Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
  • Adding lettuce to the pasta salad.
    4
    Add lettuce to salad just before serving (you can add it sooner but it's better to wait just before serving time especially if you are using the shredded lettuce ... you be the judge.).
  • 5
    Suggestion: You can use 1 cup Miracle Whip w/3 Tbsp sour cream in place of the Hidden Valley Ranch dressing. Optional: black olives slices Optional: shredded cheddar cheese garnish (approx 1/3 cup)
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d37h67DfA0A
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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