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Creamy Crunchy BLT Pasta Salad

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A delicious summer side dish combining classic BLT flavors with tender pasta and a creamy dressing, perfect for picnics, potlucks, and backyard BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: handful of chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain well.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Rinse and halve 1 ½ cups of cherry tomatoes. Chop 2 cups of romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice 3 green onions. If using herbs, finely chop about 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley or basil.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to taste until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon (reserve a few pieces for garnish), tomatoes, lettuce, and green onions. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and the salad chill. Before serving, toss again and sprinkle reserved bacon and herbs on top. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente and rinse under cold water to prevent mushiness. Cook bacon until crispy but not burnt. Mix dressing separately and adjust seasoning to taste. Add lettuce fresh before serving if chilling for longer to keep crunch. Reserve some bacon for garnish. For gluten-free, use rice or corn-based pasta. For dairy-free, substitute mayo and sour cream with plant-based alternatives.

Nutrition

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

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