BLT Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and creamy dressing blend with pasta and greens for a lively dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)

→ Bacon

02 - 7 oz streaky bacon, diced

→ Vegetables

03 - 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 3.5 oz romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
06 - 1 avocado, diced (optional)

→ Dressing

07 - ½ cup mayonnaise
08 - ¼ cup sour cream
09 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
11 - 1 garlic clove, minced
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or parsley

# Recipe Steps:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water; set aside.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook diced bacon until golden and crispy, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
03 - Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
04 - In a large bowl, mix cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, chopped lettuce, diced red onion, optional avocado, and crispy bacon.
05 - Pour dressing over salad ingredients and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
06 - Sprinkle chopped chives or parsley on top. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like your favorite sandwich, but you can eat it with a fork at a picnic table without everything sliding out.
  • The bacon stays crispy for hours if you let it cool completely before tossing it in.
  • You can prep it ahead and let it chill, which actually makes the flavors even better.
  • It feeds a crowd without emptying your wallet or taking over your afternoon.
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta under cold water immediately after draining or it will clump together and absorb all the dressing before you even mix it in.
  • Let the bacon cool completely on paper towels before adding it, otherwise the residual heat wilts the lettuce and turns everything sad and limp.
  • Add the lettuce last and toss gently, it bruises easily and loses its crunch if you're too rough with it.
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss it in just before serving so the pasta doesn't soak it all up.
03 -
  • Use thick cut bacon and dice it yourself instead of buying pre diced, the texture and flavor are noticeably better.
  • Chill your mixing bowl in the fridge for ten minutes before assembling, it keeps everything cooler longer and the dressing doesn't separate as fast.
  • Taste the dressing before you add it and adjust the lemon or mustard to your preference, everyone's palate is different and a small tweak makes it yours.
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