BLT Pasta Salad
Creamy and delicious, this BLT Pasta Salad with mayo combines crunchy bacon, grape tomatoes, and leaf lettuce in a light dressing for the perfect summer lunch or dinner recipe!
BLT Pasta Salad
Did you know you can have a BLT in SALAD form???
Yep, you sure can and here it is! We’re huge BLT fans, especially when there’s home-grown tomatoes from the garden!
We really enjoy having a bowl of this salad in the fridge.
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It’s honestly become a family-favorite over the years – the boys are always asking me “Mom, when are you ever going to make BLT Pasta Salad??”
BLT Salad with Pasta Ingredients
Penne pasta. You can make this pasta salad with any type of pasta, truly….even macaroni. For some reason, I just prefer penne pasta but work with whatever you have on hand. We like our penne pasta cooked al-dente so that it has just a bit of bite to it. This seems to help it not absorb as much dressing, either, for some reason.
Leaf Lettuce. I typically use red leaf lettuce to add a bit more color to this salad. Romain lettuce would also work well.
Mayonaise. You can use any kind.
Grape Tomatoes. I like the size of grape tomatoes, but you could certainly use cherry tomatoes, as well. Or, if you’ve got full-size tomatoes on hand, dice them up and toss them in – they will work just fine.
Scallions. I use both the green and white parts of the green onions (scallions) for this salad. Use your kitchen shears to chop them – it works so slick! Always start at the green ends of the scallions when you begin chopping since the root at the white end is what holds the green onion together.
Bacon. Do I need to say more?? (Add as much as you want!)
Spicy Brown Mustard
Granulated Sugar
Cider Vinegar
Salt and Pepper to Taste
How to make BLT Salad with Pasta
Prepare and strain the pasta until it is al dente.
Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, scallions, and bacon.
I love to use kitchen sheers whenever I can. It makes cutting so much more simple!
Combine the mayonnaise, granulated sugar, cider vinegar, and spicy brown mustard to make the dressing.
Dress the pasta, lettuce, tomatoes, scallions, and bacon with 2/3 of the prepared dressing.
Toss pasta with lettuce, tomatoes, scallions, and bacon.
Chill for several hours.
Just before serving, dress with the remaining amount of reserved dressing, as desired.
How to keep this pasta salad moist
Well, I’ve found that pasta salads have a tendency to absorb A LOT of dressing. And the more you add, the more it absorbs!
So, I like to dress my salad and store it in the fridge to let the flavors mingle. Then, just before serving, I add a bit of additional dressing so the texture is nice and creamy.
How long will this salad keep in the fridge?
2-3 days tops. Following that, the lettuce gets pretty mushy.
Can I use turkey bacon in this recipe?
Sure, you are always welcome to make that substitution. I’ve never attempted that at my house….there would be mutiny!
Should I save my bacon drippings
So glad you asked – what an excellent question! I often add some of the bacon drippings and fats to my salad dressing.
This really amps up the flavor of both the dressing AND the salad.
What else can I add to my BLT Pasta Salad
I have always thought an egg might be a good addition.
I’ve never actually done that, though I’ve often considered it. I think it would be delish…. do it!
Other recipes to try
Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad is a refreshing and protein-packed side dish with flavored cottage cheese, fresh vegetables, Italian dressing, and tender pasta!
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- Crunchy Corn Salad with Chili Cheese Fritos
- Tortellini Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Basil, and Corn
- Summer Corn Salad
- Creamy Chipotle Pasta Salad with Shredded Chicken and Smoked Gouda
BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups penne pasta or mini penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 2 cups chopped leaf lettuce
- 2 cups sliced grape tomatoes (I prefer them sliced in half lengthwise)
- 3-4 scallions, thinly sliced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2-3 Tbs. granulated sugar
- 1 Tbs. cider vinegar
- 2 tsp. spicy brown mustard
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the cooked pasta into a serving bowl; toss pasta with lettuce, tomatoes, scallions, and bacon; dress with 2/3 of prepared dressing; chill for several hours. Just before serving, dress with remaining amount of reserved dressing, as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
