Servings: 12

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 lb Mostaccioli, cooked, drained, and chilled
• 1 lb Snow peas, trimmed, blanched, and chilled
• 2 oz Green onions, sliced
• 6 oz Carrots, grated
• 8 oz Mushrooms, sliced
• 12 oz Ham, julienned
• 3 cups Bacon and Cheese Dressing
• 6 oz Almonds, sliced and toasted

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked mostaccioli, blanched snow peas, sliced green onions, grated carrots, sliced mushrooms, and julienned ham. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
2. Add the Bacon and Cheese Dressing to the bowl with the pasta and vegetables. Mix thoroughly, ensuring that the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
3. Once the salad is well-mixed, cover the bowl and refrigerate it to chill the salad and allow the flavors to meld together.
4. Before serving, toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until they turn golden and aromatic. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
5. To serve, divide the chilled pasta salad into 12 one-cup servings. Garnish each serving with half an ounce of toasted sliced almonds.
6. Enjoy this delicious and refreshing Pasta Salad with Bacon and Cheese Dressing as a side dish or a light meal on its own.

Note: Feel free to customize this salad by adding or substituting other vegetables or proteins based on your preferences. You can also adjust the amount of dressing to your liking for a creamier or lighter salad.

Here are some variations of the Pasta Salad with Bacon and Cheese Dressing recipe:

1. Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad: Add grilled and sliced chicken breasts to the salad for a heartier option. Marinate the chicken in your favorite seasoning before grilling to enhance its flavor.
2. Vegetarian Pasta Salad: Omit the ham and add more vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and olives for a vegetarian-friendly version.
3. Italian Pasta Salad: Substitute the Bacon and Cheese Dressing with an Italian dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, and Parmesan cheese. Add diced mozzarella or provolone cheese for an Italian twist.
4. Tuna Pasta Salad: Replace the ham with canned tuna for a seafood-inspired pasta salad. You can also add capers and black olives to enhance the Mediterranean flavors.
5. Greek Pasta Salad: Use feta cheese, Kalamata olives, red onions, and a lemon-oregano dressing to create a Greek-inspired pasta salad. Top it with some crumbled feta for extra tanginess.
6. Asian Sesame Pasta Salad: Swap the Bacon and Cheese Dressing with a sesame-soy dressing made with sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. Add sliced water chestnuts and edamame for a crunchy texture.
7. Mexican Pasta Salad: Mix in some black beans, diced avocado, corn, and cilantro. Use a spicy chipotle dressing for a zesty and flavorful Mexican twist.
8. Mediterranean Pasta Salad: Incorporate ingredients like artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and a lemon-herb dressing for a Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad.
9. Pesto Pasta Salad: Toss the pasta with homemade or store-bought basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella balls for a vibrant and delicious pesto pasta salad.
10. BLT Pasta Salad: Add crispy bacon pieces, halved cherry tomatoes, and shredded lettuce to create a pasta version of the classic BLT sandwich. Drizzle with a creamy ranch dressing.