Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad

This bacon Caesar pasta salad will be your secret weapon for summer gatherings and backyard bbq’s. This tasty BLT pasta salad comes together in 15 minutes or less and is equal parts pasta salad and regular salad for the perfect combo. It’s made with your favorite cheese tortellinis, summer tomatoes, fresh basil, and a Taylor Farms Bacon Caesar Chopped Kit. 

Thank you to Taylor Farms for sponsoring this post, all opinions disclosed are my own. 

This blt pasta salad is bbq must! 

I need to quickly confess my love for this pasta salad meets caesar salad creation. It’s hearty and flavorful, easy to make (yet feels fancy AF) and comes together in less than 15 minutes. Honestly, I don’t know how I got by each bbq season without a recipe like this before. 

It’s SO versatile! I love this blt style pasta salad for bbq’s, summer gatherings, a side dish for pizza night or even as a meal topped with some chicken or salmon. 

Made with simple ingredients like your favorite cheesy stuffed tortellini’s, cherry tomatoes, basil and a Taylor Farms Bacon Caesar Chopped Kit!

Save this recipe for your next summer bbq gathering!

Ingredients: 

• Stuffed cheese tortellini (your fav kind!)
• Cherry tomatoes, any color or variety
• Fresh basil leaves
• Taylor Farms Bacon Caesar Chopped Kit

How to make this easy pasta salad:

1. Cook tortellini according to package directions. I used a dried stuffed tortellini from TJ’s, but you can use your favorite variety! Drain tortellini and set aside to cool or in the refrigerator. This could be also done ahead to save time! 
2. Prep toppings: In a large bowl add cherry tomato halves, basil leaves and lettuce mixture from Taylor Farms Chopped Kit. In each bacon caesar chopped kit comes with romaine lettuce, cheese and garlic crouton crumble, Parmesan cheese, uncured bacon and caesar dressing. This chopped kit is one of my refrigerator staples and works as a great base for this pasta salad
3. Toss salad well and transfer to a serving platter.
4. Top salad with cooked tortellini. Top with remaining salad ingredients such as parmesan cheese, bacon pieces, crumble crouton topping and drizzle evenly with caesar dressing. 

Extra topping ideas: 

You could add a variety of vegetables and toppings to your liking! Try one of these: 

• Drizzle of pesto: a light drizzle of pesto on top for more Italian flavor
• Add in another veggie: chickpeas, cucumber, avocado, onions, olives and artichokes would all make great additions. 
• Add a grilled protein: This pasta salad is pretty hearty, but if you want to serve it as a meal instead of a side add on some grilled lemon chicken or salmon for extra protein!

Can the pasta salad be made ahead: 

Totally!

Make ahead salads are my jam during the summer. Also frozen cocktails… they go hand and hand. 

Mix the salad all together, cover with plastic or a lid and reserve the dressing until serving or a half an hour before serving. Toss together and serve!

More pasta salads to try!

• Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
• Vegan Pasta Salad
• Pesto Pasta Salad 

Bacon Ceasar Pasta Salad

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Elizabeth Van Lierde
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4-6 side servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

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Description

It’s a pasta salad and a regular salad, it’s the best of both worlds! Your new go to salad for any bbq or outdoor gathering! Easy to make with a few simple ingredients. Simply add your favorite stuffed tortellini, fresh cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil to the Chopped Kit for the ultimate mash up!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

6 oz stuffed cheese tortellini

1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved

½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn

1 Taylor Farms Bacon Caesar Chopped Kit

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Instructions

1. Cook your tortellini: Bring a small stock pot of water to a rolling boil. Boil stuffed tortellini according to package directions for an al dente cook time. Drain tortellini and set aside to cool or in the refrigerator. 
2. Prep the salad ingredients: In a large bowl add cherry tomato halves, basil leaves and lettuce mixture from Taylor Farms Chopped Kit. Toss well and transfer to a serving platter.
3. Top salad with cooked tortellini. Top with remaining salad ingredients such as parmesan cheese, bacon pieces, crumble crouton topping and drizzle evenly with caesar dressing. 

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Notes

Optional: top with extra basil leaves for garnish. Serve right away or refrigerate until serving. 

Keywords: pasta salad, blt, bacon, caesar, side dish