Veggie Bacon Pasta Salad

I'm really loving pasta salads right now. And see the goat cheese?  It's one of my weaknesses.  I can eat an entire container (or log, in this case) in one sitting.  No kidding.  I like it on crackers, in pasta salads, on hamburgers... I could go on.  


This recipe was inspired by the Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette I used a couple of weeks ago in the Summer Pasta Salad. We ate this as a side dish with Jalapeno Bacon Burgers but you could add some grilled chicken or shrimp and make it a main dish.  

Veggie Bacon Pasta Salad with Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette

(recipe by Mary, Quite Culinary)

2 Tablespoons Fresh Thyme, chopped

1 Lemon, zested

2 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar

3 Garlic Cloves, crushed

5 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 lb Bow-Tie Pasta

1 Cup Frozen Sweet Peas

1 1/2 cups Fresh Snow Peas

1/2 cup Carrots, sliced

3 Green Onions, thinly sliced

6 slices Cooked Bacon, chopped

Goat Cheese, crumbled (optional)

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding sweet peas and snow peas during the last minute of cooking.  Drain.

In a small bowl, whisk together thyme, lemon zest, vinegar and garlic.  Drizzle in the olive oil while continuing to whisk.

Toss the pasta mixture with the carrots, onions, bacon, and vinaigrette.  Top each serving with goat cheese crumbles.  Serve warm or chilled.