BLT Pasta Salad Bacon Avocado (Printable)

Hearty pasta salad with crispy bacon, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz short pasta such as fusilli, rotini, or penne
02 - 1 teaspoon salt for boiling water

→ Bacon

03 - 6 slices bacon

→ Vegetables

04 - 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 large ripe avocado, diced
06 - 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
07 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

08 - 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Optional Additions

14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely. Set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, place the bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until crisp, turning occasionally, for approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, green onions, and most of the bacon, reserving a small amount for garnish. Add the dressing and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Just before serving, gently fold in the diced avocado to prevent browning and maintain texture. Transfer to a serving platter or bowl and garnish with remaining bacon and optional fresh herbs.
06 - Serve immediately for optimal texture, or chill for up to 2 hours for a colder salad variation.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like comfort in a bowl, with all the flavors of a BLT sandwich but way more satisfying as a full meal.
  • You can make it in under 40 minutes, which means weeknight dinner or a potluck dish that impresses without the stress.
  • The creamy dressing clings to every piece of pasta, so you're never stuck with a sad, dry bite.
02 -
  • Never add the avocado more than a few minutes before serving or it will brown no matter how much lemon juice you use—I learned this the hard way at a potluck when I prepped everything an hour early.
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water isn't just a suggestion; warm pasta will continue cooking and turn mushy, plus it'll wilt the lettuce before you even start.
03 -
  • Toast the pasta water with a generous pinch of salt before the pasta goes in because properly seasoned cooking water is half the battle.
  • Let your bacon cool completely before chopping it or you'll end up with greasy little pieces that slide around instead of staying put on top of the salad.
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