Description

This Easy BLT Pasta Salad combines the classic flavors of a BLT sandwich with hearty rotini pasta, creating a creamy, tangy, and refreshing dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch. Featuring a zesty dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, BBQ sauce, and spices, it is packed with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, green onions, and crispy bacon for a satisfying and delicious salad.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

16 ounces rotini pasta

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2-3 tablespoons BBQ sauce (or to taste)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
Dash cayenne pepper

Salad

1/2 bunch green onions (sliced, to taste)
2-4 tomatoes (chopped, depending on preference)
1/2 head iceberg lettuce (chopped, or more to taste)
1 pound thick-cut bacon (cooked and crumbled/chopped)

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: In a 3-quart pot, bring a couple quarts of water to a boil and add a tablespoon of salt. Once boiling, add the rotini pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to package instructions. Avoid overcooking.
Cool the Pasta: Drain the cooked pasta in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process. To speed cooling, you may add ice cubes and gently stir. If you’re not ready to toss the salad immediately, drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, BBQ sauce, minced garlic, vinegar, salt, black pepper, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined to create a flavorful dressing.
Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled pasta to the dressing along with the sliced green onions, chopped tomatoes, and chopped iceberg lettuce. Mix gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
Add Bacon and Serve: Just before serving, stir in the cooked, crumbled bacon. Keep the salad refrigerated until ready to enjoy for optimal freshness.

Notes

Adjust the amount of BBQ sauce based on preferred level of tanginess and sweetness in the dressing.
For best results, use thick-cut bacon for a more substantial texture and flavor.
Chilling the salad for at least an hour before serving enhances the flavors.
Optional: add a drizzle of olive oil to pasta if not mixing immediately to prevent clumping.
This salad can be prepared a few hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.