BLT Pasta Salad: The Ultimate Summer Dish

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package medium seashell pasta
• 1 pound sliced bacon
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1.5 cups light Ranch-style salad dressing
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 romaine heart, shredded (about 3 cups)

Instructions

1. Collect all the necessary ingredients.
2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until it reaches a tender consistency, approximately 8 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse under cold water to cool it down quickly.
3. While the pasta is cooking, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until it achieves a browned and crispy texture.
4. Take the bacon out of the skillet and place it on paper towels to drain off excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into smaller pieces and set aside.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, 3/4 of the crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, creamy ranch dressing, and a dash of pepper. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
6. Gently fold in the lettuce. Sprinkle the remaining crumbled bacon on top for added flavor and visual appeal.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Nutrition

• Calories: 363 kcal
• Fat Content: 27 g
• Fiber Content: 1 g
• Sugar Content: 2 g
• Sodium Content: 984 mg
• Protein Content: 18 g
• Cholesterol Content: 51 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 12 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g