Summer Pasta Salad Recipe

Summer Pasta Salad Recipe

16 oz. box of pasta (I used whole wheat rotini)
1/2 lb bacon cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
4 oz. package crumbled feta cheese
1/2-3/4 lb baby arugula  (I used one package of baby spinach)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
1 tsp. dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup cooked or grilled chicken pieces, optional

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well. Transfer pasta to bowl.  Add bacon, sliced green onions, cherry tomatoes and arugula to warm pasta. Add feta cheese and toss.  Whisk together balsamic vinegar, lemon rind and mustard in small bowl; gradually add olive oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until blended.  Wish in salt and pepper to taste. Toss vinaigrette.

This is a new recipe I made  for the hubs and I last evening.  I made a few changes to mine.  I used baby spinach because the store was out of arugula, I left the chicken out because it was late and didn't feel like cooking up chicken, and lastly I didn't use all the dressing.  I just tossed it with just a little of the dressing just because my husband doesn't like a lot of dressing but even with my changes it was really good.  I wish I would have taken a picture because it makes a nice looking salad.   This was another one the hubs really liked and said "save this recipe" 

Hope you enjoy.

Linda