BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients

• 500g dried penne pasta
• large pinch salt
• splash of olive oil
• 16 slices of streaky bacon
• 400g baby plum tomatoes - halved
• 2 little gem lettuce - shredded
• 4 spring onions - finely sliced
• handful of grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup creme fraiche
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• handful of finely chopped flat leaf parsley
• handful of finely chopped chives
• splash of tabasco sauce (optional)
• splash of Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• sprinkle of paprika (optional)
• clove garlic - finely grated
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta as per the packet instruction in salted boiling water with a splash of olive oil to prevent it sticking - once cooked drain and rinse under cold running water to cool quickly. Set aside.
2. Heat the oven to 200C - cook the bacon in the oven for around 15 minutes or until crispy and cooked through - be careful not to burn it. Once cooked rest the bacon on kitchen paper to absorb the grease - once cool cut into strips.
3. Mix up the ranch dressing - add the creme fraiche, mayonnaise, herbs and garlic - season with salt and pepper. Optional - add a dash of tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and sprinkling of paprika to taste.
4. Put the pasta, bacon, grated cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and spring onions into a large bowl and mix gently - pour in the creamy ranch dressing and toss everything well to coat it all.