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Creamy Crunchy BLT Pasta Salad

Creamy Crunchy BLT Pasta Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy summer side dish featuring crispy bacon, crunchy lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and pasta tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or casual BBQs, this salad tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes for al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook 8 slices of thick-cut bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Chop 3 cups romaine lettuce, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, and finely dice 1/4 cup red onion (optional).
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped bacon, romaine, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Pour dressing over and gently toss until evenly coated, being careful not to crush the lettuce.
  6. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley on top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and salad chill.
  7. Before serving, give the salad a quick toss. Adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

To keep bacon crunchy, add some bacon pieces fresh on top before serving. Rinse pasta in cold water to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Toss salad gently to preserve lettuce crunch. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, substitute sour cream and mayonnaise with dairy-free alternatives. Turkey bacon can be used but regular bacon is preferred for flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, summer side dish, easy pasta salad, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/creamy-crunchy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-best-summer-side-dish/