BLT Pasta Salad: Your New Summer Obsession
A refreshing summer pasta salad that captures the classic flavors of a BLT sandwich with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy romaine lettuce in a creamy, tangy dressing. It's the ultimate crowd-pleaser for cookouts and picnics.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Baking Sheet
- Paper towels
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Large mixing bowl
- Salad spinner
- Spatula
- Plastic Wrap
Ingredients
- 2 cups Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 large head Romaine lettuce, chopped into ribbons
- 1 cup Real mayonnaise
- ½ cup Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- Optional: Everything bagel seasoning for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook for exactly one minute less than the package directions suggest for al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the thick-cut bacon on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until very crispy.
- Drain the cooked bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until the dressing is completely smooth and aerated.
- Wash the romaine lettuce and dry it thoroughly using a salad spinner, then chop into uniform ribbons.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, half of the chopped bacon, and all of the halved cherry tomatoes.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently with a large spatula until every piece is evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to marry and the dressing to set.
- Just before serving, fold in the chopped romaine lettuce and the remaining crispy bacon to ensure the salad maintains its signature crunch.
Notes
Always use cold water to rinse the pasta to prevent the mayonnaise in the dressing from melting. If the salad seems dry after chilling, stir in a tablespoon of milk or extra mayo to loosen it up. For a spicy kick, add finely diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the dressing.