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Easy BLT Pasta Salad

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A quick and flavorful pasta salad combining the classic BLT sandwich ingredients with a creamy dressing, perfect for busy days and on-the-go meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion (optional)
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes for al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or acidity as desired.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped lettuce, chopped red onion, and parsley. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated.
  5. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving.

Notes

For crispier bacon, add it just before serving to avoid sogginess. Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop cooking and maintain al dente texture. Lettuce should be chopped and added last to prevent wilting. Mayonnaise can be swapped with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing. Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version. Bacon can be replaced with smoked tempeh or tofu for a vegetarian version.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, easy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, picnic salad, quick pasta salad, rotini salad, creamy dressing salad

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/easy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-30-minutes-perfect-on-the-go-meals/