Team Awesomism is so excited to announce our new series of Healthy Eating on a Budget! We will be publishing 2 recipes a week for the next 6 weeks. Our first one recipe if from Sarah Powell. a mom of 5, 3 are on the Spectrum. We hope you enjoy these awesome recipes.
Creamy Tomato Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
When I was a kid My Mom would buy a boxed pasta salad mix that I LOVED. It had freeze dried tomatoes and those crunchy bacon bits-you know the ones! I loved it! On occasion she would add fresh tomatoes, and I was in HEAVEN! As my knowledge of whole foods grew, I wanted my kids to experience this salad but with fresher ingredients. Real crispy bacon, always fresh tomatoes, a better mayo choice. It has become one of the most requested summer meals in our house over the years! I also love using Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, and Primal Kitchen mayo to keep it wholesome, budget-friendly!
It’s super customizable, comes together fast, and makes a huge bowl for feeding the whole crew.
🛒 Ingredients (Feeds 6–8)
- 1 lb pasta (shells, rotini, bowties – whatever your crew loves We LOVE Goodles pasta shapes for extra protein!)
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved-once tomatoes are in season 2 or 3 garden tomatoes are PERFECTION in this recipe
- 6–8 slices bacon, cooked to crisp and chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional but delish-I use Kroger brand and stock up when it’s $5.99 for 32 ounces)
- Salt and pepper to taste
 For the Ranch Dressing:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup Primal Kitchen mayo (or your favorite)
- 3 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix (or 1 packet-use your favorite)
- Splash of milk or water to thin, if neededÂ
- Splash of apple cider vinegar
 Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- While pasta cools, whisk together the Greek yogurt, vinegar, mayo, and ranch seasoning in a small bowl. Add a splash of water or milk to loosen the dressing if needed.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, bacon, and cheese. Pour dressing over and mix gently.
- Chill for at least an before serving (if you can wait — my kids always sneak a bowl early).
- Serve coldÂ
🧺 Serve It With:
- Fresh fruit or watermelon wedges
- Toasted bread or rolls
- Grilled chicken or Grilled Salmon
- Corn on the cob
Here are some other awesome blogs for you to read! We hope you enjoy this series and thank you for being an awesome Teammate by being a member of our APP!
