Bacon and Basil Pasta Salad

  • Prep 25 min
  • Total 2 hr 25 min
  • Servings 22

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.

  • 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.
  • 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 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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