Recipe: Tomato and Bacon Pasta Salad

It has been so hot here for the past two weeks.  I don't think we have left the house unless we need to.  With it being so hot, I don't like to heat the kitchen up, but this pasta is well worth it.  We had it as a main dish with some bread, but it could be a great side dish.  I added parmesan cheese the first night and some feta cheese the next day.  Both were equally good.  I served this at room temperature for dinner and cold for lunch.  I preferred it cold and so did my family.

Tomato and Bacon Pasta Salad

1 box penne pasta, cooked and drained

1/2 cup milk

3 tbsps olive oil

12 ounces bacon, cooked

3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

4 tbsps green onions, chopped

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, feta or the cheese of your choice

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Toss the cooked pasta with 1/2 cup milk; set aside.  Put olive oil in a pan; add tomatoes and garlic.  Toss until warmed through and remove from heat; season with salt and pepper.  Crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces; set aside 1/4 cup for garnish.  Add tomato mixture and bacon to pasta and toss.  Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream and 3 tablespoons green onions.  Add to pasta mixture and toss until evenly combined.  Garnish with reserved bacon and green onion.  This may be served room temperature or chilled.

Enjoy!