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Bacon and Basil Pasta Salad

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  • Prep 25 min
  • Total 2 hr 25 min
  • Servings 22
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Perfect for a potluck, picnic or any time you're serving a crowd, this big batch of pasta salad can be prepared in just 25 minutes.
Updated Aug 5, 2011
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Ingredients

  • 1 package (16 oz) penne pasta
  • 1/2 lb sliced bacon
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half
  • 2 medium red or green bell peppers or 1 of each, chopped (2 cups)
  • 4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Steps

  • 1
    Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain.
  • 2
    Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 5 to 8 minutes until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; refrigerate until serving time.
  • 3
    In large bowl, mix pasta, tomatoes, bell peppers and onions.
  • 4
    In small bowl, beat vinegar and mustard with whisk. Add oil; beat with whisk until blended. Stir in basil, salt and pepper. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to combine. Cover; refrigerate 2 hours or until chilled.
  • 5
    Just before serving, sprinkle bacon over salad and toss to combine.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    Grape tomatoes are the smaller version of cherry tomatoes and they are just about bite-size. Cherry tomatoes, cut in half or into quarters, can be used instead of grape tomatoes in this salad.
  • tip 2
    Experiment with the bacon. Try peppered bacon or applewood-smoked bacon for a slight flavor variation. If using peppered bacon, taste the salad before seasoning to taste with pepper.

Nutrition

160 Calories, 7g Total Fat, 4g Protein, 19g Total Carbohydrate, 1g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving (1/2 Cup)
Calories
160
Calories from Fat
60
Total Fat
7g
10%
Saturated Fat
1g
6%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
0%
Sodium
270mg
11%
Potassium
120mg
3%
Total Carbohydrate
19g
6%
Dietary Fiber
1g
6%
Sugars
1g
Protein
4g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
10%
10%
Vitamin C
15%
15%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
6%
6%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
1
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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