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BLT Pasta Salad

Real Food· Salads· Side Dishes

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BLT Pasta Salad: Bacon, sweet summer tomatoes, and crisp lettuce are tossed with tender pasta that has been coated with a rich dressing for a perfect spin on a classic BLT sandwich. 

Pasta tossed with bacon, tomatoes and lettuce

Do you have any summer gatherings coming up?

Summer seams to beckon for neighborhood block parties, family picnics, potlucks at the lake, and backyard cookouts. From Bacon Ranch Potato Salad to Italian Pasta Salad to Baked Beans, there are so many recipes that are perfect for summer get togethers.

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This BLT salad is also highly recommended for any summer celebration. I mean who would not be thrilled to have a BLT in pasta form?

BLT Pasta Salad

BLT pasta salad in white serving bowl.

BLTs are the quintessential summer dish–at least at my house. Salty bacon paired with fresh, juicy tomatoes and a crunch of perfeclty toasted bread. MMM, perfection!

To turn this classic sandwich into a pasta salad is just GENIUS!!

And in my book easier than a traditional BLT! I can make the salad and not worry about eating it immediately, like you have to with BLTs–you know, to avoid soggy bread.

How to make BLT Pasta Salad

Step One: Make the Pasta

The first step to making this easy pasta salad, is to prepare you noodles. Any noodle with curves or ridges (like rotini, corkscrew, campanelle, or cavatelli) work well. This helps the dressing and the toppings of the pasta salad to be present in every bite.

Cook your pasta until just al dente and drain. DO NOT rinse your pasta–this causes the pasta to lose flavor and the starch that helps the dressing adhere to the noodles. Let the pasta cool before tossing with the remaining ingredients.

Pro Tip: Cool your pasta quickly by spreading out on a large sheet pan and placing in fridge for 10-15 minutes. 

Step Two: Prepare the toppings for the BLT Pasta Salad

While the pasta is cooking:

  • Prepare the bacon–either pan fry or bake in the oven. Be sure to reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings for the BLT pasta salad dressing.
  • Slice the tomatoes.
  • Chop the lettuce.
  • Make the Dressing

Step Five: Toss the BLT Pasta Salad

Add all the dressing, lettuce, bacon, and tomatoes to the cooled pasta and toss well. You can serve immediately, or

BLT Pasta Salad Dressing

You will be shocked to find out what I use in this BLT Salad…………………….BACON GREASE.

GASP!! I know, it seems against my healthy living to use bacon grease. However, very little is used and it is better than any chemically made shortening or oil that is out on the market!

I also use a bit of refined sugar, but you can use honey or maple syrup if you desire–I just find that the sugar dissolves well into the dressing and only adds a hint of sweetness without additional flavors.

Cherry Tomatoes, Bacon and Lettuce are topped with lettuce.

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Tips on Homemade BLT Pasta Salad:

  • To make this BLT salad versatile for an outdoor gathering (yes, it does contain mayo), nestle your serving bowl on top of a larger serving bowl that has been filled with ice or ice packs. This will keep bacteria from growing for at least 2 hours–probably much longer, especially if you switch out your ice or ice pack, I am just EXTRA cautious!!
  • If the thought of bacon grease scares you, just omit it!
  • I used nitrate-free organic pork bacon, but any bacon (even turkey bacon) will work.
  • To make this a Gluten-Free BLT Pasta Salad, use gluten free pasta.
  • If you happen to have garden fresh roma tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes, you can use in place of cherry tomatoes–just seed them first to prevent the pasta salad from becoming watered down.
  • I do use granulated sugar in the dresssing. Honey will work, but I really like the sweetness without any added taste that comes from honey or maple syrup.
  • I used romaine lettuce because that is my preferred green in a BLT sandwich, but iceberg or green leaf lettuce works well too.
  • Instead of store bought mayonnaise, you can use this Mayonnaise from Fifteen Spatulas.
5 from 5 votes
Print Review

BLT Pasta Salad

BLT Pasta Salad: Bacon, sweet summer tomatoes, and crisp lettuce are tossed with tender pasta that has been coated with a rich dressing for a perfect spin on a classic BLT sandwich. 
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword BLT Pasta Salad
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 15
Calories 271 kcal
Author A Mind Full Mom

Ingredients

  • 1 pound whole grain campenelle pasta* corkscrew and rotini noodles work just as well too
  • 1 head of romaine lettuce chopped
  • 2 pints of cherry or grape tomatoes sliced in half
  • 3 tablespoons chopped chives
  • 1 pound nitrate free bacon
  • 1/2 cup good quality mayonanaise
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon bacon drippings

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse under cold water--this is a needed step for this pasta salad to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch from pasta (normally rinsing pasta is a big no-no!) and drain well. Cool. (I do this by spreading on cookie sheet and tossing into fridge--quick and easy!)
  2. Dice the bacon and cook over medium high heat until bacon is crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels, reserving 1 tablespoon of grease.
  3. Mix together bacon drippings, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Toss the dressing, cooked and cooled pasta, chives, tomatoes, lettuce and bacon bits together until evenly distributed.

Recipe Notes

  • To make this BLT salad versatile for an outdoor gathering, nestle your serving bowl on top of a larger serving bowl that has been filled with ice or ice packs.
  • If the thought of bacon grease scares you, just omit it!
  • I used nitrate-free organic pork bacon, but any bacon (even turkey bacon) will work.
  • To make this a Gluten-Free BLT Pasta Salad, use gluten free pasta.
  • If you happen to have garden fresh roma tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes, you can use in place of cherry tomatoes--just seed them first to prevent the pasta salad from becoming watered down.
  • I do use granulated sugar in the dresssing. Honey will work, but I really like the sweetness without any added taste that comes from honey or maple syrup.
  • I used romaine lettuce because that is my preferred green in a BLT sandwich, but iceberg or green leaf lettuce works well too.
Nutrition Facts
BLT Pasta Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 271 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 696mg 29%
Potassium 294mg 8%
Total Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 4g
Protein 7g 14%
Vitamin A 19.3%
Vitamin C 12%
Calcium 1.9%
Iron 6.5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Comments

  3. Pasta salads make an appearance at our backyard BBQs so much in the summer. This is a great one–I need to try this soon.

    Reply

  15. Haha! Great minds think alike! I just made a BLT Pasta Salad last month! Yum! I love the addition of a bit of bacon grease. I use to do the same in my potato salad!

    Reply

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