BLT Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, pasta, and fresh greens tossed in a creamy dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How To:

01 - Boil salted water in a large pot and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water; set aside.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook diced bacon until golden and crisp, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, red onion, avocado if using, and crispy bacon.
05 - Pour dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure even coating of all ingredients.
06 - Sprinkle chopped chives or parsley on top. Serve immediately or chill up to 2 hours before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It hits every single texture craving in one bowl: crunch from bacon, creaminess from dressing, freshness from vegetables
  • You can make it ahead and it actually tastes better after the flavors hang out together for a bit
02 -
  • The pasta must be completely cooled before mixing or the lettuce will wilt into something sad and soggy
  • Do not add the avocado until right before serving or it will start to brown and get mushy
03 -
  • Cook the bacon a little more than you think is necessary because it softens slightly when mixed into the salad
  • The red onion can be soaked in cold water for 10 minutes if you want to mellow out the sharp bite
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