BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe is loaded with juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and tiny toasted croutons, tossed in a flavored mayonnaise dressing. It is the ultimate easy recipe for BBQs, parties, and holiday celebrations like the 4th of July.Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
For the BLT Salad:
- 1 lb. medium-size pasta uncooked
- ½ loaf rustic bread to make 1 cup toasted bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp butter unsalted or salted; melted
- 12 slices bacon cut crosswise into ¼” slices & cooked crisp, divided
- 2½ cups iceberg lettuce washed & chopped
- 2½ cups green leaf lettuce leaves washed & chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes washed & halved
For the Flavored Mayonnaise:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp sweet paprika
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Chop the lettuce and cut the tomatoes.2½ cups iceberg lettuce, 2½ cups green leaf lettuce leaves, 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 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.½ loaf rustic bread to make 1 cup toasted bread crumbs, 2 tbsp butter
- Toast breadcrumbs in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or to your liking.
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1-cup pasta water and drain the pasta.1 lb. medium-size pasta
- Slice and cook the bacon.12 slices bacon
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, chili powder, paprika, sugar and black pepper; set aside.¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ tsp chili powder, ¼ tsp sweet paprika, 2 tsp granulated sugar, ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 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.
- Toss the salad lightly to freshen. If needed, add the reserved pasta water (1-tbsp-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