Pioneer Pasta Salad

We made this pasta salad for a summer RV trip and it was awesome! Since then we've enjoyed it multiple times this summer. Great to bring to BBQs and get togethers.  Keeps well for a few days in the fridge, which means great lunch and snacking potential.

What made this pasta salad our go to for that category is how basic and flavorful it is.  It's great alone, but can be paired with almost any grilled meat.  Intended as a pasta salad to please kids, it'll surely please the whole crowd.  You can suspect I'll be bringing this to a gathering or two.

Kid Friendly Pasta Salad
By: Pioneer Woman
Prep 15 min    Cook 20 min    Serves 8

Ingredients:
12 oz fun pasta (Ex: Radiatore)
8 slices thin bacon
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup whole milk
4 tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
dash sugar
1/2 cup grape tomatoes (red/yellow), halved lengthwise
1/2 lb cheddar
3 green onions, thinly sliced
ground pepper
24 whole basil leaves, chiffonade

*Notes: Some changes we made - Instead of cubed cheese we used shredded cheese which mixed well into the salad. Also we added a pint of tomatoes to offset the amount of pasta. Turned out great!

Directions:
1) Cook pasta.  Then drain and rinse in cold water until the pasta is cool.  Set aside.

2) Cut the bacon into 1/2 inch pieces and throw into large skillet. Saute til crisp and drain grease by removing to a paper towel.  (We tend to fry up the bacon and then cut it after it cools, crumbles much easier that way).

3) For the dressing: mix mayo, milk, vinegar, salt and sugar in a small bowl.

4) Stir together the pasta, dressing, tomatoes, bacon, cheddar and green onions in a large bowl.  Add more salt and pepper if needed.  Stir in the cut basil. 

Other great salads to whet your summer appetite:
Caprese Quinoa Salad
Chicken Taco Salad
Italian Tortelini Pasta Salad
Strawberry Chicken Salad
Avocado Corn Salad
Watermelon Arugula Salad 
Broccoli Salad 
Buffalo Chicken Salad

Check out our Market Inspirations for Summer