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Oh my goodness, get ready for pure summer bliss in a bowl! If you’re anything like me, you adore the classic combination of bacon, lettuce, and tomato, right? Well, get ready to swoon because we’re transforming that beloved sandwich into the most amazing BLT pasta salad! This isn’t just any pasta salad; it’s my signature creamy, dreamy twist on a favorite, bringing together all those familiar, comforting flavors into one incredibly satisfying dish. It feels fancy, but trust me, it’s totally doable for any home cook. I always say that food tells a story, and this salad tells a story of sunshine, good company, and easy entertaining. It’s absolutely perfect for picnics, backyard barbecues, or any potluck where you want to bring something that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe!
- Why You'll Love This BLT Pasta Salad
- Gather Your Ingredients for BLT Pasta Salad
- Crafting the Perfect BLT Pasta Salad: Step-by-Step
- Tips for Success with Your BLT Pasta Salad
- Ingredient Spotlight: The Creamy Dressing for BLT Pasta Salad
- Making Your BLT Pasta Salad Ahead
- Serving and Storing Your Delicious BLT Pasta Salad
- Nutritional Information for BLT Pasta Salad
Why You’ll Love This BLT Pasta Salad
Honestly, there are so many reasons why this BLT pasta salad has become a total staple in my kitchen. It’s ridiculously easy to make, which is a huge win for me when I’m craving something delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Plus, who doesn’t love that perfect combo of salty bacon, crisp lettuce, and juicy tomatoes all tossed in a creamy dressing? It’s just so satisfying and always a huge hit whenever I serve it.
Gather Your Ingredients for BLT Pasta Salad
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! For this amazing BLT pasta salad, you’ll want to grab a pound of your favorite short pasta, like rotini or cavatappi really works well – make sure it’s cooked perfectly al dente and totally cooled. Then, for that dreamy creamy dressing we’ll whip up, you’ll need about a cup of full-fat mayonnaise (don’t skimp here!), a half cup of sour cream for that little tang, a couple of tablespoons of Dijon mustard, a splash of white vinegar, a pinch of sugar, salt, and pepper. For the star BLT players, we’ve got 4 slices of thick-cut bacon, cooked nice and crisp, then crumbled up, one head of crisp romaine lettuce, chopped up nice and fine, and two large, ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced. Oh, and if you’re feeling extra, a half cup of shredded cheddar cheese is totally optional but oh-so-good!
Crafting the Perfect BLT Pasta Salad: Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get down to business and make this incredible BLT pasta salad! First things first, make sure your pasta is completely cooled. Seriously, don’t rush this part; warm pasta will make your dressing all weird and greasy. So, grab a big ol’ mixing bowl, and whisk together all those creamy dressing ingredients: the mayo, sour cream, Dijon mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Give it a really good mix until it’s smooth and dreamy. Now, gently add your cooled pasta to that glorious dressing and toss it all around until every single piece is coated. Then, very carefully, fold in that delicious crumbled bacon, the crisp chopped lettuce, and those juicy diced tomatoes. If you’re adding cheese, now’s the time to stir that in too. Once everything’s mixed, cover it up and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This is super important so all those amazing flavors can get to know each other!
Tips for Success with Your BLT Pasta Salad
Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, but let me give you a few little secrets from my kitchen so your BLT pasta salad is absolutely perfect every single time. First, don’t skimp on the quality of your ingredients! Fresh, ripe tomatoes make a huge difference, and using good quality bacon really shines through. When you’re cooking your bacon, try to get it nice and crispy – that crunch is essential! And for the pasta, cooled is key, but don’t let it get *too* dry; just al dente is perfect. I always let my salad chill for at least 30 minutes, but honestly, an hour is even better. It really lets all those yummy flavors meld together beautifully. These little things just take it from good to seriously amazing!
Ingredient Spotlight: The Creamy Dressing for BLT Pasta Salad
Okay, let’s talk about the heart and soul of this amazing BLT pasta salad—that luscious, creamy dressing! It’s what ties all those yummy BLT flavors together perfectly. The mayonnaise is our rich, creamy base, giving it that classic, comforting texture. Then we add sour cream, which just adds this wonderful little tang and velvety smoothness that balances everything out. A little Dijon mustard brings this subtle warmth and depth, while the white vinegar and sugar are like the flavor referees, making sure everything is perfectly balanced – not too rich, not too tangy. Honestly, this dressing is pure magic for our bacon lettuce tomato pasta!
Making Your BLT Pasta Salad Ahead
You know, this BLT pasta salad is a lifesaver for entertaining because you can totally make it ahead! If I’m planning a big spread, I often prep everything the day before. Here’s my trick: I’ll cook the bacon, chop the veggies, and make the dressing, storing them all in separate airtight containers in the fridge. I’ll even go so far as to cook and cool the pasta and keep it separate too. Then, about an hour before serving, I’ll bring it all together. It just guarantees that the lettuce stays crisp and the tomatoes don’t get too soft. Trust me, letting it chill for that hour before you serve it really lets those amazing flavors marry perfectly!
Serving and Storing Your Delicious BLT Pasta Salad
This BLT pasta salad is just begging to be the star of your next picnic or potluck! It’s absolutely fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or burgers. For storage, just pop any leftovers into an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll stay super fresh for about 3 to 4 days. Honestly, though, it’s so good, I usually don’t have many leftovers! Since all the main ingredients are already cooked or best served cold, there’s no need to reheat it – just give it a good stir and enjoy!
Got questions about my famous BLT pasta salad? I totally get it! It’s such a popular dish, and I love helping you nail it every time. Here are a few things people ask me:
What’s the best kind of pasta for BLT pasta salad?
Oh, this is a fun one! I really love using short pastas that have little nooks and crannies to catch all that yummy dressing and bits of bacon and tomato. Rotini is perfect, and so is fusilli or cavatappi. Basically, anything that’s going to hold onto the flavors without getting mushy! But honestly, whatever pasta you have on hand will work, just make sure it’s cooked perfectly al dente.
Can I add other vegetables to this BLT pasta salad?
Absolutely! While I adore the classic trio, don’t be afraid to get creative with your bacon lettuce tomato pasta! Diced red onion or some finely chopped celery can add an extra layer of crunch and flavor. Some folks even toss in some chopped pickles for a little zing! Just remember not to overload it so you can still taste those star BLT flavors.
How far ahead can I really make this BLT pasta salad?
You can definitely prep most of it ahead, which is a lifesaver for parties! I usually cook the pasta, cook the bacon, and make the dressing a day in advance, keeping them separate and chilled. Then, about an hour before serving, I’ll toss it all together with the lettuce and tomatoes. This keeps the lettuce nice and crisp and the tomatoes from getting too soft. It needs that little bit of time to let those flavors really meld together!
Is there a lighter dressing option for this creamy BLT salad?
Yes, you bet! If you’re looking for something a little lighter, you can totally swap out some of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt or even some lighter sour cream. It still gives you that creamy deliciousness, but with fewer calories. Taste as you go, though, because the tanginess can change a bit!
Nutritional Information for BLT Pasta Salad
Just a little note before you dig in: the nutritional information for this amazing BLT pasta salad is an estimate, naturally! It can really vary depending on the specific brands you use and exactly how much of each ingredient you toss in there. So, think of these numbers as a general guide!
Recipe adapted from: Taste of Home, Spend With Pennies, and Skinny Taste.
PrintBLT Pasta Salad
A creamy pasta salad featuring the classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato combination, perfect for picnics and potlucks.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 large tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooked and cooled pasta to the dressing and toss to coat.
- Gently fold in the crumbled bacon, chopped lettuce, and diced tomatoes.
- If using, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute Greek yogurt for some of the mayonnaise.
- Add other vegetables like chopped red onion or celery for extra crunch.
- This salad is best served chilled.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg