A Betty Crocker moment for me....

Many of you out there that are reading this- already have this recipe... BUT...some of you don't. Every time I've made this salad I've been asked for the recipe and it quickly became one of OUR favorite salad recipes years ago when I made it up. Our family loves it and we eat it all summer long. Sorry there aren't any pictures...but just imagine it looking SCRUMPTIOUS----because it really is!

Julie's Bacon Macaroni Salad

2 boxes of bow tie pasta (any other noodle can be used, I personally like the bow tie or elbow macaroni noodles)

2 lbs. bacon, cut into small pieces and cooked until crisp but not burnt

4-5 tomato's, diced

2-3 c. grated Cheddar cheese (more or less depending on your taste)

Mayonnaise (has to be MAYONNAISE not salad dressing or Miracle Whip)

1/4 c. Ranch dressing from the bottle (more or less to taste)

salt

pepper

season salt

Cook noodles as directed on the package. Drain and cool completely. Cook bacon and let it cool also. Combine noodles, bacon, cheese, and tomato's, mix well. Add desired amount of Mayonnaise, 1/4 c. Ranch dressing, and salt and pepper and seasoning salt to taste. Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers.

* I don't love bacon so if I am making it for me (a very small bowl) I leave out the bacon. I have kids that don't love tomato's and I've tried to leave them out, but the taste is completely altered. It tastes the best with EVERYTHING in it.

*If you are going to be taking this to a dinner or aren't going to be able to eat it right away, mix everything but the Mayonnaise and Ranch Dressing together and add those right before serving.

*When eating leftovers, sometimes the noodles absorb the Mayonnaise and it become dry- just add more Mayonnaise and a little milk and it creams it right up.