Description
You can make this easy pasta salad featuring the familiar flavors of bacon, lettuce, and tomato in a creamy dressing. It is a good side dish for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or milk
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to cool it down quickly. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until the dressing is smooth.
- In a very large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to combine.
- Just before you serve the salad, gently fold in the chopped romaine lettuce. Do not add the lettuce too early, or it will wilt.
- Serve cold.
Notes
- For make-ahead convenience, prepare the pasta, bacon, and dressing separately. Store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. Add the tomatoes and lettuce just before serving.
- If you prefer a tangier dressing, you can substitute the white vinegar with lemon juice.
- Use rotini or bowtie pasta as they hold the creamy dressing well.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 22
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
- Cholesterol: 45