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BLT pasta

BLT Pasta Salad

The perfect easy side dish for a BBQ, game day, or brunch!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces small pasta radiatore, rotini, macaroni
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • 12-16 ounces bacon cooked & chopped

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup ranch dressing
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon bacon drippings
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, until al dente – be sure not to overcook the pasta you want it to have some firmness to it. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, drain thoroughly, and cool quickly by spreading the pasta onto a baking sheet. Put in refrigerator while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
  • Cook the bacon until crispy. I recommend baking on a foil-lined baking sheet for 18-20 minutes at 400 degrees F. Once cooked, drain briefly on paper towels, then chop into small pieces and set aside. Reserve some of the bacon grease for the dressing.
  • Mix all the dressing ingredients together. Toss together the dressing and pasta until well combined. Add the romaine, cherry tomatoes, and chopped bacon, then gently fold all the ingredients together.

Notes

I love using the vegetable radiatore pasta from Trader Joe’s because it’s colorful and the little crevices hold the dressing well.