When I was in college, a woman at the church I was attending in Tallahassee invited several of us poor, starving college girls to her home for a real meal.
This was an incredible gift because, you know, college is when you fill up your cart with Ramen Noodles and wonder –
“How many days straight can I eat this stuff before dying?”
So we showed up at her house, hungry and eager for a delicious feast, and ended up discovering the greatest salad recipe KNOWN TO MAN.
And ironically, it has Ramen Noodles in it.
I’ve talked about this recipe before (here and here and here and here and here – do you get why it’s so good?), but it’s about time it has its very own post.
Ingredients (Salad):
1 Bag of Romaine lettuce
1 Bag of broccoli florets, chopped
1 Bunch of green onions, chopped
12-16 oz package bacon, cooked, drained, and chopped
1 package chopped pecans
1 package Ramen Noodles, broken up (discard seasonings)
4 T butter, melted
Ingredients (Dressing):
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 T soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Step 1 – In a medium-sized bowl, mix the noodles and pecans with the melted butter.
Step 2 – Pour the noodle/pecan mixture onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Step 3 – In a large bowl, mix lettuce, broccoli and onions.
Step 4 – Dump baked noodle/pecan mixture and bacon on top. Toss lightly.
Step 5 – Stir all of the dressing ingredients together and pour over salad. Mix well.
Baby showers, bridal showers, brunches, family dinners, potlucks, holidays, receptions…
This salad will be a GUARANTEED hit WHEREVER you go.
In fact, you just might find yourself wondering how much of it you can eat before dying??? 🙂
Happy Best Salad Recipe Ever-ing!
This looks and sounds amazing!!! Thanks for sharing!
waitingforbabybird.com
Lol. That’s so funny. I CRAVED that salad when I was pregnant 🙂 I haven’t made it since though…and I never heard of putting it in te oven first. Can’t wait to try it! Guess what im eating tomorrow! Lol
Are the ramen noodles cooked? They look cooked in your pics, but the directions don’t say to cook them.
Hey Tera! The directions do say to bake the noodles and pecans at 350 for about 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Enjoy!
I guess I should have specified…are the noodles boiled before going in the oven to bake? They look cooked to me…but I guess that could just be the melted butter soaking in?
Looks delicious! When were you in Tally & what church? I went to FSU and was at First Baptist downtown. Loved home cooked meals in college 🙂
Hi Nikki! We went to FSU from 2001-2005! We were involved at Wildwood church and then Centerpoint Church. We were also active at TCO. What great memories!
Yay! I was at FSU during that same window and still live in Tallahassee today. We attended (and still do), Four Oaks Church.
I have many good friends at wildwood and knew quite a few who attended center point with Chuck Ryer. So fun! Love your blog :)!!
I’d love to try this recipe – is there a printable version?
Kimberly, try this link for the printable version… https://happyhomefairy.com/2011/04/20/the-best-easter-brunch-ever/. Thanks for stopping by! It really is the best salad EVER.
This was to so delicious! We made it tonight and cut up the Romaine and broccoli ourselves. I also just sprinkled a few real bacon bits on top (since I’m trying to reduce the amount of meat I eat). And then we tossed the dressing with individual servings so that we could keep the leftovers until our next meal. The noodle and pecan mixture is to die for, and I love the dressing. Thank you so much for sharing. A new addition to our menu rotation!
Laura, how wonderful! I am so happy your family enjoyed this amazing dish! It is seriously a FAVORITE in our house. xoxo
I can attest- this IS the best salad ever!!!!
I don’t see anywhere in the directions of what you do with the bacon. I’m assuming you fry it and sprinkle on top of the salad??
Hi Linda! Yes, just cook the bacon, crumble it up, and toss it in! 🙂
This salad sounds great, thank you. One question though….did you blanch the broccoli or add it raw? 😳
Hi Toni! It’s raw broccoli! 🙂 Easy peasy!
I add it raw! 🙂
Hello, just seeing all the wonderful inspirational ideas on your site! God bless you! Quick question,do you toss the dressing with the salad just before serving or much earlier so some is absorbed? Thank you!
I toss it just before serving! It absorbs very quickly! 🙂 Sorry this was such a late response! Just getting caught up on some things! 🙂
I pinned this a while ago and I am going to make it for the first time soon. I have a question before I make it. Do you let the noodles and nuts cool before you add them to the salad or serve it while they are warm?
Hi Dawn! Let it cool first! ENJOY!
Can you use a Sugar substitute?