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Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad With Blue Cheese Dressing

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing is so flavorful and always a winner to serve as an appetizer or light dinner

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

An Appetizer does not have to be small canapes or really complicated to taste amazing without spoiling your guests’ appetites.

This Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing is just perfect. And it can be served as a light dinner as well !

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

With the great weather we have in South-Africa we mostly have light dinners, especially during Spring and Summer. Even Fall is quite warm and this salad is always welcome.

During Winter it is actually the only time our family really digs into comforting, rich foods or a huge home cooked meal.

This is now with meat, starch (we even serve potatoes and rice together on the odd occasion!), as well as at least two vegetables.

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Great for an Al Fresco addition !

I do however prefer lighter foods as it is usually (not always!) healthier and so much quicker to make. But, then again, warmer weather calls for al fresco-style eating !

Al fresco is eating outside (for us, always) and we normally start somewhere just after lunch time, all gathered around the pool.

Obviously mostly over weekends though. It is slow eating, starting with an appetizer, a little later a more substantial meal and of course dessert.

This is the type of eating (al fresco) which I think takes a little longer to prepare the courses than when serving a simple light dinner during the week.

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Whichever way, appetizer or light dinner, you choose to serve this Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad, it will most definitely become a family favorite !

And it all comes down to a great combination of ingredients which already works so well together.

Add the Blue Cheese Dressing and you are in for a taste sensation, which might be unexpected by your guests, but will surely be an awesome surprise to them.

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

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You might also like these Pasta Salads :

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad With Blue Cheese Dressing

Linda Nortje
Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing is so flavorful and always a winner to serve as an appetizer or light dinner
4.84 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Salad
Cuisine South-African
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 475.7 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g Penne Pasta 8 oz
  • 2 t Olive Oil
  • 1 t Fresh Garlic crushed
  • 125 g Bacon Bits 4 oz
  • 1 cup White Sauce warm (store-bought or homemade)
  • ½ cup Blue Cheese crumbled
  • 2 t Mayonnaise
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup Basil Leaves torn

Instructions
 

  • 1.) Cook the Pasta until al dente, drain and keep aside
  • 2.) Heat the Olive Oil and cook the Garlic and Bacon until the Bacon is crispy - remove and keep aside
  • 3.) Add the Blue Cheese and Mayonnaise to the warm White Sauce and stir until the Cheese has melted - stir in the cooked Bacon - season to taste with Salt and Black Pepper
  • 4.) Toss together the cooked Pasta and the Blue Cheese Sauce in a large mixing bowl
  • 5.) Add the Cherry Tomatoes and Basil - gently stir through

Notes

  • Serve the Pasta Salad at room temperature or chill until ready to serve
  • Recipe Yields: 4 Light Dinner Servings OR 6 - 8 Appetizer Servings
Nutrition Facts
Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad With Blue Cheese Dressing
Amount per Serving
Calories
475.7
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
19.9
g
31
%
Saturated Fat
 
7.8
g
49
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
12.9
g
Cholesterol
 
30.3
mg
10
%
Sodium
 
821.7
mg
36
%
Carbohydrates
 
54.3
g
18
%
Fiber
 
2.9
g
12
%
Sugar
 
1.4
g
2
%
Protein
 
20.3
g
41
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition value, where given, is not always accurate. Please also check your ingredient labels.

LINDA

Linking up at : WEEKEND POTLUCK – Sweet Little Bluebird

Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
4.84 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




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Rossie

Tuesday 16th of August 2022

What is the white sauce in this recipe and how do you make it?

Linda Nortje

Wednesday 17th of August 2022

Rossie, I usually use store-bought for this recipe, but here is my basic white sauce recipe; 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter 2 tablespoons All purpose Flour 1 cup Milk 1/4 teaspoon Salt 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper (optional)

Melt the Butter in a small saucepan over medium heat - stir in the Flour and mix Add Milk little by little, stirring after each addition (around 3 batches) Cook, stirring continuously until the sauce has thickened - season with Salt and Pepper (if using)

Kelly Anthony

Thursday 9th of August 2018

Love a cold pasta salad in the heat of summer down in here in Texas. I also appreciate how easy and fresh it sounds.

shelby

Thursday 9th of August 2018

I love the blue cheese crumbles and bacon in this salad! Pasta salads are so great to have for big gatherings also!

Leslie

Thursday 9th of August 2018

I laughed at the rice and potatoes confession. I thought I was the only one who had done that. This recipe has the makings of a family favorite for me. Plus, it is so simple to convert to gluten-free!

Lisa

Thursday 9th of August 2018

Great idea for a summer picnic. I'll be putting this one on the list for an upcoming gathering.

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