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Bacon and Basil Pasta Salad

This bacon pasta salad is the ultimate side dish for your next summer cookout, potluck, or holiday party! Always a crowd favorite, this salad is loaded with bacon, basil, grape tomatoes, bell peppers and green onion. This salad pairs well with a wide variety of dishes including grilled chicken, fish or pork!

Course Lunch or Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, cookout, easy pasta dish, fresh basil, pasta salad, potluck recipes, side dish, side dishes with bacon, summer recipes
Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 22 (1/2 cup servings)
Author Slightly altered from Pillsbury

Ingredients

  • 1 box (16oz) penne pasta
  • 1/2 lb sliced bacon
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes cut in half
  • 2 medium red or green bell peppers (or one of each) chopped ( approximately 2 cups)
  • 4 green onions sliced
  • 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

Instructions

  1. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water to cool and then drain.
  2. Meanwhile, cook bacon over medium heat approximately 8 minutes or until crisp. Crumble bacon. Refrigerate until serving.
  3. In large bowl, mix pasta, tomatoes, bell peppers and onions.
  4. In small bowl beat vinegar and mustard with whisk before adding oil. Beat again until blended.
  5. Stir in basil, salt and pepper.
  6. Pour dressing over pasta mixture and combine. Cover and chill for 2 hours.
  7. Sprinkle with bacon and toss to combine just before serving.