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Easy BLT Pasta Salad with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and creamy dressing served in a bowl.

BLT Pasta Salad

A refreshing and hearty pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, cool lettuce, and a creamy dressing, perfect for summer days when cooking feels too hot.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Base
  • 8 oz short pasta (rotini, bowties, or shells)
Main Ingredients
  • 6 slices bacon, crispy and chopped
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped (or iceberg) Add just before serving to keep it crunchy.
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, optional and diced For added flavor.
Dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice Adjust for desired tanginess.
  • 1/2 tsp salt To taste.
  • 1/4 tsp pepper To taste.
  • 1 tsp sugar To balance flavors.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil the pasta in well-salted water, then drain and rinse with cool water to stop cooking.
  2. Cook the bacon until crisp, then let it cool on a paper towel-lined plate.
  3. In a big bowl, mix mayo, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, pepper, and sugar. Adjust thickness and tanginess as necessary.
  4. Add the cooled pasta, halved tomatoes, and crispy bacon into the dressing and toss until everything is coated.
  5. Right before serving, add the chopped romaine lettuce to maintain its crunch.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For best flavor, keep lettuce separate until serving. Add a squeeze of lemon or a spoonful of mayonnaise to refresh leftovers.