Sweet Summer Pasta Salad

There is no doubt about it. The dog days of summer are upon us. The idea of turning the oven on and adding more heat to the house brings images of a high electricity bill to mind. The past couple of days have been in the high 90's with a heat index that brings it well over 100 degrees. Tonight, I decided to make a simple, summer dish that would hit the spot, but not warm the house more than necessary.

~ Sweet Summer Pasta Salad ~

2 cups leftover chicken, chopped

1 lb. of pasta

4 - 5 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled

3/4 - 1 cup mayo

1 1/2 cups red grapes sliced in half

salt and pepper to taste

A pasta other than macaroni would have been more aethestically pleasing in this dish, but I used what I had on hand. A rotini or penne would be good choices. Cook the pasta, drain, and then run under cold water. Pour the pasta into a large serving dish. Add the chicken and mayo and mix. Then add the bacon, grapes, salt and pepper and gently combine. Super simple.

I love this salad and have made it without the bacon and still devoured it. I do think the bacon adds a nice salty flavor. The amazing thing is even my boys liked it!