During summer, one of the things I truly enjoy is indulging in a delicious BLT sandwich filled with juicy tomatoes. However, until those delightful summer tomatoes are available, I find solace in savoring the flavors of a BLT through a refreshing pasta salad. This BLT Pasta Salad provides me with the creamy, tomato-infused goodness I adore, but in a chilled and revitalizing form. Moreover, it serves as a fantastic addition to any summer BBQ, picnic, or potluck gathering. If you haven’t experienced the delight of this timeless summer pasta salad yet, I highly recommend adding it to your must-try list!
What’s In BLT Pasta Salad?
If you’re unfamiliar with the delightful simplicity of a BLT sandwich, let’s begin by introducing it. The acronym “BLT” represents the ingredients: bacon, lettuce, and tomato. This sandwich comprises crispy bacon, crisp lettuce, and sliced tomatoes nestled between two pieces of bread, generously spread with mayonnaise. Its simplicity is what makes it an absolute perfection.
To enhance the BLT Pasta Salad, we make a few adjustments while preserving its core flavors. Instead of using delicate lettuce, I opt for fresh spinach which holds up better and offers improved color and texture. To elevate the dressing from plain mayo, we incorporate ranch dressing, a splash of zesty lemon juice, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper for added flavor. Lastly, I introduce diced red onion to enhance the overall taste and texture of the salad. Despite these modifications, the recipe remains refreshingly uncomplicated and absolutely delicious!
What Kind of Pasta to Use
Feel free to choose from a variety of short pasta shapes for this recipe, such as rotini, small shells, macaroni, orecchiette, cavatappi, or farfalle (bowtie). Personally, I opted for bowtie pasta as I found its shape to be particularly adorable in this salad!
How Long Does it Last?
For optimal flavor, it is recommended to let this BLT Pasta Salad sit in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. However, it may dry out if left for too long, so it is advisable to prepare it on the same day if serving to guests. Although the salad remains delicious the following day, I noticed it becoming slightly dry by the second day when I had the leftovers. Therefore, to ensure the best results, make this salad on the day you intend to serve it and consume any leftovers within a day or so.
How to Make BLT Pasta Salad – Step by Step Photos
To start, cook 8oz. of bacon in a skillet on medium heat until it turns brown and crispy. Take the bacon out of the skillet and let it drain on a plate lined with paper towels. After it has cooled down, chop or crumble the bacon into smaller chunks.
While the bacon is being cooked, proceed to prepare the salad dressing. Mix together ¾ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ranch dressing, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of freshly cracked pepper. Keep the dressing aside for later use.
To prepare the pasta, start by pouring a generous tablespoon of salt into a large pot filled with water. Place the pot over high heat and bring it to a vigorous boil. Once the water is boiling, carefully add 12oz of bowtie pasta to the pot. Allow the pasta to cook in the boiling water until it reaches a tender consistency, which typically takes around 7-8 minutes.<br><br>Next, carefully drain the cooked pasta by pouring it into a colander. To cool the pasta down, briefly rinse it with cool water. Ensure the pasta is thoroughly drained by allowing it to sit in the colander for a few moments.
As the pasta cooks and drains, halve a pint of grape tomatoes and finely dice ¼ of a red onion (equivalent to approximately ⅓ cup diced).
Cut approximately 2 cups of fresh spinach into small, bite-sized pieces.
After cooling and draining the pasta, place it into a spacious bowl. Then, incorporate the spinach, tomatoes, onions, and dressing.
Continuously stir until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and coated with dressing. Allow the salad to rest for approximately 10 minutes to enhance the fusion of flavors, then give it a final stir prior to serving.
So summery!
