BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
A delicious and easy-to-make BLT Pasta Salad combining crispy bacon, fresh romaine, juicy grape tomatoes, and perfectly cooked pasta, all tossed in a flavorful homemade dressing made with olive oil, mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, and herbs. Perfect for a light lunch or side dish at gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 pound dried pasta
- 1 romaine heart, chopped
- 8 ounces grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces bacon
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Place the bacon in a single layer on a baking sheet with edges. Put the baking sheet into a cold oven and set the oven to 400˚F. Bake the bacon for 18-25 minutes or until it’s crispy. The baking time will vary depending on the thickness of your bacon. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat and cool. Then crumble into pieces.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Once done, rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and to cool it down. Drain well.
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, halved grape tomatoes, and crumbled bacon. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately for the best texture and freshness.
Notes
- Using cold water to rinse the pasta stops it from cooking further and prevents it from becoming mushy.
- For a lighter option, you can reduce mayonnaise or substitute with Greek yogurt.
- Baking bacon instead of frying reduces mess and gives evenly crispy strips.
- Feel free to add other veggies like cucumbers or avocados for variation.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days but are best enjoyed fresh.
Keywords: BLT pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, summer pasta salad, picnic recipe, easy pasta salad, bacon dressing salad
Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/blt-pasta-salad-recipe/
