Soccer season is presenting a real challenge to dinnertime. We’ve been picnicking on the field while we watch the games. But sandwiches can get old, especially if you’ve packed one for lunch too. I created this easy pasta salad to take with us one night. It’s creamy and flavorful with homemade ranch dressing.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 lb. Penne
- 1/2 lb. bacon, cooked
- 5 Roma tomatoes
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. seasoned salt
- 1/2 tsp. dill
- small bunch parsley, chopped
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Chop the tomatoes and crumble the bacon.
Mix the mayo, sour cream, garlic, seasoned salt, dill and parsley together in a bowl.
Drain the pasta and run it under cool water. Mix the pasta, tomatoes, bacon and dressing together. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
How often do you eat dinner while watching your kids play sports? What’s the best “sports picnic” you’ve eaten?
I haven’t tried this yet, but I read it somewhere, and it seems like such a great idea! Get a thermos (the kind with a spout that you use for water or drinks) and fill it with boiling water. Drop in a package of hot dogs. Pack a bag with buns, chips, ketchup, etc. When you’re ready to eat at the park, the hot dogs are supposed to be perfectly steamed. (Don’t forget to pack tongs!)
Kerry, I’ve heard of that too, but I’ve never tried it. I may give it a try one of these days though! Thanks for the reminder.
my mother used to send me to school with this as a lunch and I loved it!!! Works great
I somehow escaped rearing children who were committed to sports that necessitated the need for this type of creativity. (I do have a pretty dedicated basketball player – but thus far – we’ve gotten by with winging it fairly traditionally.)
BUT – I gotta tell you – I am SO making this salad. Like today. YUM! Thanks for the great recipe!
This salad sounds delicious. Really, how can you go wrong with bacon, tomatoes and ranch????
You could add chicken and make it a main dish instead of a side….even easier to take to the soccer field.
With my 2 oldest (now 25 and 23) there was soccer, softball, and basketball — there were weeks where we either ate dinner on the field or had staggered dinners (more common as the kids got older) 3 or more nights a week. That recipe would have been perfect in both cases! My number 3 daughter does fencing and can drive herself, and our youngest is 13 and can stay home by herself, so not as much need for the whole family to go to every practice or event.
That sounds so great. I don’t really like pasta salad, but I’m going to give this a try! Although, I may keep it warm and see how it turns out 🙂
This looks easy and yummy! This will be on my meal plan next week!
Oh this one looks extra good…with tomatoes! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks
🙂
I wonder the about the calories and fat content? how healthy is it?
Dana, some things you just don’t want to know 😉
😀 Love this reply! Humor is great for the soul! Oh so true!! Going try this tonight, I am a pasta lover!! Thank you!
When eating at the soccer fields, how do you transport this (cold I imagine) and just serve on paper plates with throw away utencils?
Excellent idea to pack for a picnic dinner when sports events are going on.
Crystal, that’s exactly what we did. It worked well.
Oh em geee!!! This is awesome.
And as I am frying the bacon and chopping the tomatoes it occures to me this is like a pasta BLT. Hum. Smart.
Sometimes, I am knee deep involved before I notice the obvious. Go figure.
Excellent dish!