Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Pesto Sauce

May 23rd, 2012

So Memorial Day cookouts are penciled in and you’ll need something to take to the cookouts, right?  And if you’re like me you’ll wait until the last possible minute, stare down your pantry and fridge to try and throw something together that’s easy but still semi-impressive to the in-laws, right? No, that’s just me?  Umph.

Well even if you’re a planner and have it way more together than myself, I think you’ll please the cookout crowds with this Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Pesto Sauce recipe all summer long!

My blogging and in-real-life friend Jen is hosting a virtual Memorial Day BBQ Pitch-In using the super easy Philadelphia Cooking Creams.  I decided to “bring” a spin off the beloved B.L.T. sandwich and make a creamy pasta salad with the Creamy Pesto flavor.  The fun part is you can hop around and “try out” your favorites.  There’s a little competition going on that you can participate in as well. They are all Pinterest worthy! 😉

This one already won awards at our house! And it’s so simple it should be illegal!

If you know how to fry bacon and boil water, you can totally throw this one together!

It’s farfalle pasta blended with crumbled bacon, grape tomatoes, Creamy Pesto Philadelphia Cooking Cream, a little olive oil, and chopped lettuce.

Once the ingredients are blended, you can add the chopped lettuce last – or have a bowl nearby so that guests can add their own.  (This keeps it from getting wilted and soggy.)

{See further directions below in the printable recipe card.}

Come join our Virtual Summer BBQ, hosted by Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. Hop around and find YOUR favorite Barbeque Pitch-In recipe!  You can vote for your favorite in the next 24 hours by simply leaving a comment on your favorite blog recipe!  {If we are your favorite, I’ll reward you with BACON for your comments! 😉 Teeeheeee. }

Here are the other yummy recipes representing:

• Lemon Berry Cheesecake Bars – Saving Dollars and Sense
• Creamy Potato Salad – Mommy Hates Cooking
•  Creamy Italian Pasta Salad – Life in Grace
•  Southwest Chicken Salad – My Home Sweet Home
• Creamy Bacon and Tomato Potato Salad – Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures
• Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Pesto Sauce – 4Tunate
• Shrimp Campanelle Salad – The Peaceful Mom
•  Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Dip – Saving with Shellie
•  Philly Creamy Deviled Eggs – Smockity Frocks

You can also find great recipes and ideas on the Philadelphia Cream Cheese Facebook Page and on Twitter!

Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Pesto Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of Mini Farfalle  Pasta
• 1 lb of Bacon – cooked and crumbled
• 3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 10 oz of Creamy Pesto Philadelphia Cooking Cream
• 20 Grape Tomatoes – halved
• 2 –3 Hearts of Romaine Lettuce Bunches – chopped
• 1-2 leaves of fresh Basil – minced (optional)

Directions:

1. Boil pasta according to directions.

2. Cook bacon, drain, and crumble when cool.

3. Drain pasta and add olive oil to hot pasta.

4. Add tomatoes and crumbled bacon to pasta.

5. Stir in pesto cooking cream until well blended.

6. Serve with chopped lettuce when ready to eat.

7. Garnish with basil. (Optional)

What’s YOUR favorite BBQ Pitch-In Recipe?

Don’t forget to leave a comment on YOUR favorite blogger’s recipe post by 10 EST on Thursday! The winner gets $500 and coupons for free product!

*Philadelphia Cream cheese provided coupons to try their Cooking Cream varieties, but I was not compensated for this post.  The winner of this recipe contest will be rewarded monetarily and with product.