Bacon Cheddar Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 10 slices bacon cooked and diced, 1 T bacon grease reserved (optional)

• 12 oz. pasta cooked and cooled

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 3/4 cup homemade dill ranch dressing (recipe below)

• 2 cups sliced sweet cherry tomatoes

• 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded

• 1/3 cup red onion diced

• 1 cup romaine or iceberg lettuce

• ¼ cup sweet relish

• fresh parsley for garnish

Dill Ranch Dressing:

*note (this makes more than 3/4 cup) (use leftovers for dip or salad dressing – yum for the tum!) *

• 1 ½ cups mayonnaise

• ½ cup sour cream

• 1/3 cup chopped fresh dill

• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

• 3 T lemon juice

• 2 T grated onion

• 3 garlic cloves minced

• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

1.) Make the dill ranch dressing – Mix all the ingredients into a blender or food processor. (Should be thick and creamy)

2.) Whisk together ¾ cup of the home-made dill ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and 1 tablespoon bacon grease (optional).

3.) In a large bowl assemble the pasta, tomatoes, cheese, red onion, lettuce, sweet relish and bacon.

4.) Pour the dressing mixture over and toss to combine.

5.) Garnish with parsley and serve.