It is true. I love bacon. My family loves bacon. We are bacon obsessed. Applewood, Hickory Smoked, Maple, Honey Glazed, Thick, Thin, Skillet cooked, Microwaved – any which way.

We eat bacon virtually every morning and find ways to slip it into all kinds of recipes during the week. Why, you ask? You know the answer! – bacon makes everything taste better! Its salty-rich-crunchy-chewy meaty taste adds flavor and dimension to any mouthful. I’m really not a huge meat eater in general but love what bacon can do to a dish. Acknowledging the health issues surrounding “too much bacon”, I’ve think found a way to rationalize my intake: Pre-cooked, thinly sliced, frozen bacon. It’s my go-to.  It seems leaner and less bad for you…:) Can you say Costco or Sam’s Club? The only places to indulge the bacon habit! (Hey, even Weight Watchers says OK in moderation)

So it is no surprise that our best-loved family recipe has always been a customer favorite as well. A real crowd-pleaser. Every Single Time. In fact, I think the recipe is printed on most of our pasta labels. We can’t help it.

Please make this and enjoy. Your family will thank you. You’ll be the star of the potluck and tailgate party. Just a few notes:

BLT…Why the L? Looks more like a GP? OK, OK…you are right. There is no lettuce in the recipe! BUT, you can serve it on a bed of lettuce. The GP (green pepper) takes its place and adds just the right crunch and taste….so there you go. But, when you say BLT, everyone’s mouth just says “YUM”!

Can I make this ahead? Yes! You can cook the pasta a day ahead, rinse with cold water, toss with olive oil and store in fridge. Bacon can be cooked (microwaved) and broken up the day before. Peppers and tomatoes can be chopped and stored. Just do not toss all together with the mayo until the day of, an hour or so before serving.

Which shape pasta is best? Short Shapes like Penne or Rotini, or of course any of our Fun Shapes! We’ve shown here our American Pride Pasta (2 at the top), and Gymnastics Pasta at the bottom – and yes, they both have stars in them.

Enjoy this recipe and let me know what you think…I hope you love it as much as we do!

If you are interested in seeing all of our pasta shapes, you can visit The Pasta Shoppe website.  And if you have any fundraising needs, please check out Fun Pasta Fundraising!  We’d love to hear from you!