Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Remember the Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad? This is close... but better. Careful, though - its pretty addictive! This recipe and many others can be found at the www.recipe4living.com website.

• Ready In: 10 mins
• Yields: 1 large salad

Ingredients

• 2  cups pasta (uncooked shells)
• 5  baby carrots, shredded (or 1 large regular carrot)
• 1  cup  frozen peas, thawed
• 3⁄4 cup mayonnaise, more if desired but NOT miracle whip
• 1  ounce  hidden valley ranch dressing mix (or 1/2 of a .4 oz. package of the buttermilk version)
• 1⁄4 cup bacon bits (I use Hormel REAL bacon bits or pieces)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder

Directions

1. In large bowl, mix mayo, dressing mix, bacon bits, shredded carrots and onion powder. Chill this mixture while you continue making the rest of the salad.
2. Cook pasta al dente, drain and cool. Fold in pasta carefully.
3. Gently fold in peas last.
4. Chill for several hours and serve chilled or at room temperature.
5. Refresh salad if needed with a tiny bit of mayo, but it usually doesn't need it.
6. Garnish top with more bacon bits pieces. You can never have too much bacon.