BLT Pasta Salad

I took notice of this recipe in a magazine because it looked simple, easy, and quick to make for dinner. I think it took be about 20 minutes from start to finish. We love BLT's in our house and so this was a dish I could not turn down trying at least once. The flavors worked very well together. You could use this as a main dish or a side dish. I made quite a few changes to the original recipe and I am listing the recipe with my changes.

BLT Pasta Salad
adapted from the Food Network Magazine June/July 2009

12 ounces corkscrew shaped pasta
1/2 cup buttermilk (original recipe calls for milk)
12 ounces lean bacon
3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 of a red onion sliced thin
kosher salt and pepper
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 sour cream
4 tablespoons chopped chives
5 cups chopped romaine hearts

Cook pasta. Drain and toss with buttermilk in a large bowl, set aside.
Cook bacon. Drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon into bite size pieces. Toss bacon into pasta.
Add tomatoes and onions to pasta/bacon mixture.
Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, and chives together. Season with salt and pepper. Mix into pasta mixture until evenly combined. Add chopped lettuce and toss again.