Tangy Spinach Bacon Pasta Salad

Every once in a while I get an urge.  The urge to take a step back away from kid friendly food and venture in a little gourmet.  With Spring on our doorstep, I wanted to make something fresh and exciting and this is it.

I laughed with the kids in the kitchen as they watched me taste it.  They asked what I was going to call it and I said “Spinach Bacon OMG!” There are so many different textures and flavors that merry so well together it is like a little party in my mouth.  The tang of the lemon juice, the creaminess of the sauce, and the crunch of the bacon make this salad a perfect side dish for any occasion.  It really doesn’t even have to be just a side dish.  I just ate it for dinner.  You won’t regret making this recipe!

Tangy Spinach Bacon Pasta Salad

 

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Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

10 mins

Total time

25 mins

 

Author: Amanda@AFewShortCuts

Recipe type: Side Dish

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 16 oz macaroni or pene pasta cooked al dente
• 6-8 oz fresh spinach
• ½ lb bacon chopped
• 3 green onions chopped (about ½ cup)
• zest and juice of 1 lemon
• ⅓ cup Philadelphia cooking creme (lemon herb flavor) or light Cesar dressing
• ½ cup grated Parmesan or asiago cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large skillet brown bacon until crisp.
2. Add green onions and spinach leaves to the skillet and heat until wilted. Add lemon zest and juice.
3. In a large bowl mix cooked pasta, bacon mix, and cooking creme until well blended.
4. Stir in cheese and serve warm.

Notes

**Gluten Free** You can sub in gluten free pasta to make this gluten free **Cooking creme** You can use a regular or light ceasar dressing in place of the cooking creme if you can not find it in your area. I suggest adding a little extra lemon juice if you do.

2.2.2

Brown bacon in large skillet over medium heat.

Add spinach and green onions until wilted down.

Add lemon zest and juice.

In a large bowl mix pasta, bacon mix, and cooking creme. Stir in Parmesan cheese and serve!

Here is the Philadelphia Cooking Creme that I used.  YUM!

This stuff is absolutely amazing!