Pesto Bacon Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
-1 pack spinach tortellini
-1/4 C pesto
-1 C grape tomatoes
-bacon as desired
-1/4 C fresh grated parmesan

Cook the pasta according to directions, and get the bacon cooking.  You can leave the tomatoes raw if you want, or you can cook them. 

I chose to roast the tomatoes off on the griddle where I was cooking the bacon.  We LOVE using electric griddles.  I drizzled a little oil over them and added garlic, salt, pepper, and basil.

Let them cook until they blister, turning them occasionally. Cook the bacon until crispy and drain on paper towel or similar.

Drain the tortellini when it is done (most tortellini doesn't take long at all) and add in the pesto.  Cut the bacon into small pieces and add it plus the tomato and cheese to the pasta and mix around.  Salt to taste and chill.

I love to make pasta salads for lunch because you can use stuff like Greek yogurt in the sauces and add protein in and really get a filling lunch. This one does not have it, but the spinach tortellini in itself is more filling than some varieties. Whole wheat pasta works well for stuff like this as well.

Happy crafting!