Pictured above: the mixins.
This is a quick and easy pasta salad. And quite refreshing too.
(Too bad, it’s cool and wet outside today!)
Bacon, Broccoli and Tomato Pasta Salad
A little bit of crunch and a lot of great flavor!
Servings - 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups elbows or penne pasta noodles
- 6 strips of bacon or turkey bacon
- 2 heads broccoli, cut into florets
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup homemade ranch dressing
- Fresh fruit
Instructions
- Cook the pasta as directed on the box. Drain and rinse with cool water.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet or in the microwave on paper towels. Let cool, then crumble.
- Steam the broccoli florets for just 2 or 3 minutes, in a stovetop steamer or in the microwaveable bowl with 1/2 cup of water, covered with plastic wrap.
- Place the cooked and cooled pasta in a large mixing bowl and toss with the crumbled bacon, broccoli florets, diced tomatoes and homemade ranch dressing. Toss. Toss. Toss.
- Serve BBT Pasta Salad with fresh fruit.
April says
Bacon… how can you go wrong with bacon? YUM!
Jill says
This looks great! I have been inspired to do the same for my family of 6. I made dinner tonight for $3.62.
http://faithfamilyfood-faithfamilyfood.blogspot.com/
Leonard says
Was that the whole dinner. It sounds good but I think it would leave me wanting?
Jenelle says
Yummy! That looks like just the ticket for dinner tonight! I love that I can always get great ideas from you to get my family out of a rutt. Thanks Erin!
FoodontheTable says
This looks great. You could sub whole wheat penne and you’d have perfect blend of vegetable, protein, grain, and fat!
Toni says
Sounds great! Are the tomatoes drained or undrained?
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
@Toni,
Sorry! Drained!
Grammie says
Way to go Toni that was my question too. Goodness doesn’t this salad look WONDERFUL!
I am hoping to make this one tonight. Just have to stop and pick up some broccoli. So….. do we drain those tomatoes or not?
Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom says
@Grammie,
Yes…drain well!
Jennifer @Chronicles of a Night Owl says
Yummy! I just made a HUGE bowl of this for our 4th get-together tomorrow. I skipped the steaming the broccoli step – I prefer it completely raw. I added some additional fresh tomatoes and shredded cheese. I’ve already taste tested it and it’s YUMMO!
Elysia says
Very good! Thank you for sharing!