BLT pasta salad (Printer-friendly)

Crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lettuce combine with tender pasta and creamy dressing.

# Required Ingredients:

→ 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 Steps:

01 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
02 - Cook diced bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
03 - Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
04 - In a large bowl, mix cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, avocado if using, and cooked bacon.
05 - Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
06 - Top with chopped chives or parsley. Serve immediately or chill up to 2 hours before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in about thirty-five minutes, leaving you time to actually enjoy the gathering instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • The creamy dressing makes it feel indulgent, but the fresh vegetables keep it from being heavy or boring.
  • You can make it ahead and refrigerate, which means less stress when guests arrive.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad more than two hours before serving, or the lettuce will surrender completely and everything turns into a sad, soggy pile that nobody wants to eat.
  • If you're adding avocado, make it the very last step—like, literally toss it in seconds before serving—because it browns faster than you'd believe and dark streaks make the whole thing look less appetizing.
03 -
  • Pat the cooked bacon dry on fresh paper towels right after it cools enough to handle—any lingering grease will make your dressing separate instead of staying creamy and cohesive.
  • Whisk the dressing so aggressively that you feel a little ridiculous, which creates a subtle emulsion that stays smooth instead of looking curdled or broken.
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