Description
BLT Pasta Salad is a cool and creamy summer side dish inspired by the classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich—upgraded with avocado and a tangy herb dressing. This crowd-pleasing recipe is ideal for BBQs, potlucks, or quick weeknight meals.
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
¾ cup (180 g) plain Greek yogurt
¼ cup (60 g) mayonnaise
2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice
1 tbsp (3 g) chopped chives
1 tbsp (3 g) chopped parsley
¾ tsp (1 g) dried dill
¾ tsp (2 g) garlic powder
¼ tsp (0.6 g) onion powder
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Salad:
10 oz (285 g) rotini pasta or other small pasta
8 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
2 cups (90 g) shredded Romaine lettuce
2 cups (300 g) halved grape tomatoes
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
1 large avocado, chopped
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, herbs, and spices until smooth.
Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions. Rinse under cold water, drain, and place in a large bowl.
Combine Ingredients: Add the dressing to the pasta and toss to coat. Gently fold in bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado.
Season and Serve: Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate briefly before serving.
Notes
Use a short pasta shape like rotini, fusilli, or penne to hold dressing well.
For extra crisp bacon, oven-bake it on a rack.
Add avocado just before serving to keep it from browning.
Fresh herbs like basil or cilantro can be used to customize the flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad / Side Dish
- Method: No-Bake / Boiled Pasta
- Cuisine: American