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blt pasta salad in a bowl with wooden spoon

BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 441kcal
Author: Becky Hardin
This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe is loaded with juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and tiny toasted croutons. BLT Pasta Salad is tossed in a flavored mayonnaise dressing and is the ultimate EASY Pasta Salad Recipe! BBQs, parties, and holiday celebrations like the 4th of July NEED this amazing side dish.
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Ingredients

For the BLT Salad:

  • 1 pound uncooked, medium-size pasta
  • ½ loaf of rustic bread to make 1 cup toasted bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter unsalted or salted; melted
  • 12 slices bacon cut crosswise into ¼” slices & cooked crisp, divided
  • cups iceberg lettuce washed and chopped
  • cups Green Leaf Lettuce leaves washed & chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes washed & halved

For the Flavored Mayonnaise:

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

For the Pasta:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1-cup pasta water and drain the pasta.

While the pasta cooks:

  • Cook the bacon, make the breadcrumbs, chop the lettuce, halve the tomatoes and make the flavored mayonnaise.

For the Breadcrumbs:

  • Slice an 8-inch chunk of rustic bread (preferably day-old bread) off a whole loaf. Tear the bread apart into smaller chunks and place in a food processor. Process the bread until it is in small-medium sized crumbs. Place the breadcrumbs into a medium bowl and add the melted butter. Mix together until the butter is well incorporated.
  • Toast in the oven on 350F for 10-15 minutes until toasted to your liking.

For the Mayonnaise:

  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, chili powder, paprika, sugar and black pepper; set aside.

To make the BLT Salad:

  • In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, ½ cup breadcrumbs (reserve ½ cup for serving), half of the crisped bacon (reserve the other half for serving), lettuce, tomatoes and flavored mayonnaise. Toss to mix and refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve.

To Serve:

  • Toss the salad lightly to freshen. If needed, add the reserved pasta water (1-tablespoon at-a-time) until you get the desired consistency.
  • Sprinkle with reserved breadcrumbs and bacon, and season with salt & pepper to taste.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 441kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 663mg | Potassium: 262mg | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 1660IU | Vitamin C: 7.9mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mg