Chicken-Gorgonzola Pasta Salad

*Maggie*'s Note:

Found this recipe in a Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake booklet Spring 2008 issue (the kind you find at check-out). It sounded so good and would probably make a wonderful lunch or a feature for a bridal/baby shower. I haven't made this yet but it will be made very soon! You may cook up your own bacon if not using precooked bacon. Prep/Cook Time is an estimate. The original recipe indicates start to finish is 20 min.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 1.5 cups each

• 7 cups uncooked radiatore , pasta (nuggets, about 19 oz.)
• 4 ½ cups cubed cooked chicken breasts (about 20 oz.)
• 1 (2 1⁄8; ounce) package precooked bacon , cut up into small pieces (about 15 slices)
• 1 (14 ½ ounce) can fire roasted diced tomatoes , drained
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves , lightly packed
• 1 (16 ounce) jar refrigerated ranch dressing
• 1 cup gorgonzola , crumbled (4 oz)
• bibb lettuce , if desired (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
2. In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes and spinach.
3. Pour dressing over pasta mixture, toss until coated.
4. Fold in cheese.
5. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
6. To serve, line bowl with lettuce and spoon in salad.

Reviews

[Elisabetta47]

Hooray - a pasta salad using all my favorite ingredients! As we ate this for a couple of days, I added the fresh baby spinach right before serving each time to keep it perky. Used Kittencal's Best Creamy Ranch Dressing/Dip and it was a marvelous hot summer's evening meal. Thanks, Maggie.

[Lvs2Cook]

Maggie, this salad is really good. It's very easy to put together and I made as posted. This would be excellent for a party! Thank you so much for posting. Made for PAC Fall 2008.

[Kittencalskitchen]

I had some gorgonzola cheese and fresh spinach that I wanted to use up and came across this fantastic pasta salad, I used my Kittencal's Creamy Ranch Dressing/Dip and added in the spinach before serving, this salad deserves more than 5 stars, it is absolutely delicious and I look forward to making again soon, thanks so much for posting this Maggie!