Description
This Summer BLT Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful twist on the classic BLT sandwich, combining crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, crunchy romaine lettuce, and rotini pasta tossed in a creamy garlic mayo dressing. Perfect for warm weather meals or potlucks, this easy-to-make salad takes just 25 minutes from start to finish and serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup ripe tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
Bacon
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside to cool completely.
- Cook Bacon: While the pasta is cooking, fry the bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until they are crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, then crumble once cooled.
- Prepare Vegetables: While the pasta cools, dice the ripe tomatoes and chop the romaine lettuce. Thinly slice the green onions and set all prepared vegetables aside.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped tomatoes, romaine lettuce, sliced green onions, and crumbled bacon. Pour the dressing over the mixture and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly for the best taste.
Notes
- For a healthier version, use light mayonnaise or substitute with Greek yogurt.
- Make sure the pasta is fully cooled before mixing with mayonnaise to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Feel free to add chopped avocado or cucumbers for extra freshness.
- This salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Use thick-cut bacon for a more substantial bite and better texture contrast.
