Ever find yourself craving the familiar comfort of a BLT sandwich but wishing it was, well, more? That's exactly how this BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado came to be. One sunny afternoon, staring into a fridge full of the usual suspects, the idea struck me: why not deconstruct the classic sandwich and turn it into a vibrant, crowd-pleasing pasta salad? It seemed like a crazy idea at first, but oh boy, did it work! It’s my go-to potluck dish, and trust me, it’s always a hit. You know, the kind of hit where people are practically scraping the bowl clean and begging for the recipe. I am not kidding! Seriously, get ready for some recipe requests!
What makes this salad so special? It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The salty, smoky bacon, the creamy avocado, the juicy cherry tomatoes, and the crisp romaine lettuce, all tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet dressing. And let's not forget the pasta! It ties everything together, making it a satisfying and complete meal. I could honestly eat this every day and not get tired of it. What's more, it’s so easy to customize! You can add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or even a sprinkle of cheese. Get creative and make it your own!
Required Equipments
- Large Bowl
- Colander
- Large Pot
- Whisk
- Cutting Board
- Knife
BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado: Frequently Asked Questions
BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado
This BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado transforms the classic sandwich into a creamy, flavorful pasta salad. It's loaded with bacon, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and crisp lettuce, all tossed in a tangy dressing.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 4 servings
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces. (I sometimes sneak a piece… or three. Don’t judge!)
- Cook the pasta: While the bacon is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. (Don't overcook it, nobody likes mushy pasta!) Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. This also helps to keep the pasta from sticking together.
- Prepare the vegetables: While the pasta is cooling, wash and halve the cherry tomatoes. Dice the avocado into small cubes. Chop the fresh romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. (I like to use a salad spinner to make sure the lettuce is super dry.)
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. (Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. A pinch of sugar can balance the acidity, if you’re feeling fancy.)
- Combine the ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, and chopped romaine lettuce to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together until well coated. Be careful not to mash the avocado!
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This step is crucial! The longer it chills, the better it tastes. I usually let it sit for at least an hour. Maybe even two, if I can resist the urge to dig in.
- Serve: Before serving, give the pasta salad another gentle toss. Garnish with extra crumbled bacon, if desired. Serve chilled and enjoy! (I love pairing this with grilled chicken or a veggie burger. It’s also fantastic on its own for a light lunch.)
- Cleanup: Admire your culinary creation, even that little bit that spilled over the edge of the bowl –it adds character, right? Now, tackle the dishes. Maybe put on some music to make it less of a chore. A little tip: soak the bacon skillet in soapy water; it makes cleaning a breeze.
📝 Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the bacon with smoked tofu or tempeh bacon.
- Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to the avocado to prevent browning.
- If you don't have red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar will work as substitutes.
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 450 kcal
Protein: 12 g
Fat: 32 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 5 g
Calcium: 80 mg
