‘Tis the season for PASTA SALADS!! I am obsessed with making and devouring these bowls of goodness. In the summer, I make one on Sunday afternoons and then eat on them all week (let’s be real, I eat it all by Tuesday and make another one to finish off the week). I love to have them for lunch and especially to take to the pool. I also serve pasta salads alongside a protein as a summer side too. You just can’t go wrong with one of these!
Today’s recipe has all the flavors of a B.L.T. sandwich but in pasta salad form. This recipe is so, so, so good! You might even consider making it a double batch!
Enjoy!
This recipe serves about four. You’ll notice that I say “about” a lot in this recipe. That’s the beauty of a pasta salad…you can add as little or as much as you like as you assemble.
Shopping List
1 package of cheese tortellini
6 pieces of bacon, cooked to crisp and crumbled
about 3 cups of fresh spinach leaves, chopped
about 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
about 3 tablespoons of snipped chives
about a 1.5 cups of Ranch dressing (buy a good quality one!)
salt and pepper
Bring a large pot of water up to a boil. Drop your tortellini in and cook to al dente (about 4 minutes, do not over cook!). As soon as it’s ready (they’ll float to the top), drain the water from the pot and then immediately run cold water over the tortellini to get it nice and chilled (and stop the cooking process). Drain all of the water and then place your tortellini in a mixing bowl. Next, add your bacon pieces (reserving a little bit for the end to garnish), chopped spinach, tomato halves, chives (reserve a few to garnish), your Ranch and then a pinch of both salt and pepper. Toss everything together, cover and then place in the fridge for at least 3 hours up to 48 hours.
When you’re ready to serve, remove from fridge and garnish with a few bacon crumbles and snipped chives.
I’m telling you…SO DARN GOOD!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Delicious! I love me a good BLT sandwich, but having it in a wetter, pasta form sounds good too!
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Narci Dreffs says
You had me at Bacon. And Pasta. Also, love summer days at the pool with a good pasta salad!! We are almost there!!
Alexis deZayas says
Oh my goodness! This looks so good!!
Laci says
Hello, Bacon! This sounds delicious!!
Stephanie says
This is like my dream pasta salad.
I can’t wait to try it!
http://aneducationindomestication.com
haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine says
This sounds soooo yum!!! Wow! Pinning it!!!
MelanieL says
I’ll be trying this one for sure! I love to make up a pasta salad and eat it for lunch all week too!
Amy says
What brand of Ranch do you recommend?
Mix and Match Mama says
I love Annie’s!
Angela Banae says
Hi Shay!
This sounds delicious!! What kind of Ranch do you love? Thanks!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love Annie’s!
Christy says
What’s your favorite ranch to use?
Mix and Match Mama says
I love Annie’s!
Jana says
Quick question: Do you use frozen or the tortellini found in the refrigerated section of the grocery?
Mix and Match Mama says
Refrigerated but frozen would work!
Lois says
What size package of cheese tortellini do you use in this recipe? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
I think it’s like 20 oz.
Daniela Williams says
Made this today but used homemade ranch dressing. Everyone loved it! Thanks for the recipe.
SMum says
Tried this out last night and was surprised by how much flavor is in this simple recipe! Had to modify and use about 3 cups dry noodles and add in cubed cheese as I had no tortellini. I used half a Hidden Valley Ranch packet for the dressing.
Michael Hickey says
Thanks Shay! My little kids loooved it so much! (Finally they ate some salad) 🙂
MICHELLE O says
This is Awesome!!! I will definitely make this again! Thank you Shay.
Audrey Dawkins says
This was so good….and even better the next day!!