Zesty BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe: A Fresh Picnic Favorite

Whipping up a classic blt macaroni salad brings summer memories rushing back to my kitchen.

Crisp bacon bits dance among creamy pasta waves, creating a nostalgic comfort dish.

Childhood picnics and backyard gatherings flood my mind with each delightful bite.

Crunchy lettuce and juicy tomatoes provide perfect texture contrasts against smooth, tangy dressing.

Mediterranean-style macaroni mingles with smoky bacon, offering a delightful twist on traditional salad recipes.

Salt and pepper whisper subtle enhancements through each carefully crafted spoonful.

Summer cookouts demand this incredible blend of flavors that everyone will absolutely adore.

You cannot resist diving into this irresistible combination of beloved ingredients.

Reasons BLT Macaroni Salad Is A Summer Favorite

• Craft a Quick Crowd-Pleaser: This bacon macaroni salad brings together classic ingredients in a delightful dish that guarantees smiles from everyone at the table.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add your favorite mix-ins to make this recipe perfectly suited to your taste preferences and pantry supplies.
• Master a No-Fuss Recipe: Simple steps and basic ingredients mean even novice cooks can create a delicious side dish that looks and tastes impressive.
• Versatile Party Companion: Perfect for potlucks, picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings, this salad travels well and keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

All The Ingredients For BLT Macaroni Salad

• Elbow Macaroni: A classic pasta shape that provides a perfect foundation for this salad, offering a pleasant chewy texture.
• Bacon: Crispy, smoky protein that adds rich flavor and crunchy texture to the dish.

• Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Green Onions: Fresh ingredients that bring crispness, juiciness, and a light onion flavor to balance the creamy dressing.

• Mayonnaise, White Vinegar, Dijon Mustard, Salt, Black Pepper: A creamy and tangy mixture that coats the pasta and enhances the overall flavor profile of the salad.

How You Make BLT Macaroni Salad

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until it reaches the ideal al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly.

Step 2: Create Crispy Bacon Bits

Sizzle bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it turns golden brown and releases all its delicious fat. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain excess grease, then crumble into delightful bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• White vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and well-incorporated, creating a luscious base for the salad.

Step 4: Prepare Fresh Vegetables

Dice tomatoes into uniform small cubes to ensure even distribution throughout the salad. Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, maintaining its crisp texture and vibrant green color. Finely slice green onions, separating white and green parts to build a layered flavor profile.

Step 5: Combine and Coat

Add the cooled macaroni to the prepared dressing, gently folding to ensure each pasta piece is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.

Step 6: Mix in Delicious Ingredients

Carefully incorporate the crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, and chopped lettuce into the dressed pasta. Mix gently to prevent crushing the delicate ingredients.

Step 7: Finish and Chill

Sprinkle green onions over the top, reserving some for a final garnish. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the dish to chill thoroughly.

Step 8: Serve with Flair

Just before serving, garnish with the reserved green onions and an extra sprinkle of cracked black pepper for an added burst of flavor.

Easy Tips For BLT Macaroni Salad

• Drain Pasta Perfectly: Rinse cooked macaroni with cold water immediately to stop cooking and prevent sticky clumps, ensuring a crisp texture in your salad.
• Crisp Bacon Right: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to render fat completely, creating golden, crunchy pieces that add amazing flavor and texture to the dish.
• Whisk Dressing Smoothly: Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, and mustard with gentle whisking to create a creamy, well-blended base that coats pasta evenly without lumps.
• Chop Ingredients Uniformly: Cut tomatoes, lettuce, and green onions into consistent bite-sized pieces to guarantee perfect flavor distribution and attractive presentation.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop a more complex, delicious taste profile.

Fun Takes On BLT Macaroni Salad

• Vegetarian Macaroni Salad: Replace bacon with roasted chickpeas or tempeh bacon for a protein-packed plant-based version that maintains crunch and smoky flavor.
• Mediterranean Style: Swap bacon for crumbled feta cheese, add kalamata olives, and replace dijon mustard with oregano for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free elbow macaroni and ensure all ingredients like mayonnaise are certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate diced jalapeños, replace green onions with cilantro, and add a dash of chili powder to create a zesty southwestern profile.

Perfect Matches For BLT Macaroni Salad

• Crisp White Wine Companion: Sauvignon Blanc cuts through creamy dressing with bright, zesty notes that complement bacon's richness and refresh the palate.
• Craft Beer Match: Light American lager balances salad's tangy flavor profile, providing crisp carbonation that cleanses taste buds between bites.
• Summer Side Suggestion: Grilled corn on the cob offers sweet caramelized contrast to salty bacon and creates complementary textures for the dish.
• Citrus Beverage Option: Sparkling lemonade adds refreshing acidity that highlights the salad's creamy and savory elements, perfect for outdoor dining.

How To Chill And Store BLT Macaroni Salad

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping ingredients crisp and flavors fresh.
• Before storing, gently drain any accumulated liquid to prevent soggy pasta and maintain salad's texture.
• Keep bacon and lettuce separate from dressed pasta to prevent wilting and maintain crunchiness if planning to eat over multiple days.
• Best enjoyed cold; avoid microwaving as it can make pasta mushy and lettuce soggy. If needed, let salad sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to take off the chill.

BLT Macaroni Salad FAQs To Read

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute elbow macaroni with similar short pasta like shells or rotini for similar texture and sauce absorption.

• Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This salad stays fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container, making it perfect for advance preparation.

• How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Simply omit the bacon and replace it with crispy roasted chickpeas or sunflower seeds for added crunch and protein.

• What if I don't have white vinegar?

You can substitute with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, which will provide a similar tangy flavor to the dressing.

Blt Macaroni Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy BLT macaroni salad blends classic sandwich flavors into a delightful summer dish. Crisp bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes mingle with tangy dressing, creating a crowd-pleasing side you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 16 oz (450 g) elbow macaroni

Proteins and Main Mix-ins:

• 8 oz (225 g) bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) white vinegar
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 green onion, finely chopped

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Instructions

1. Cook elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process and cool pasta quickly.
2. While pasta cools, crisp bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and completely rendered. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
3. Whisk mayonnaise, white vinegar, dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well-incorporated, creating a creamy base for the salad.
4. Dice tomatoes into uniform small cubes, ensuring consistent size for even distribution throughout the salad.
5. Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, maintaining crisp texture and bright green color.
6. Finely slice green onion, separating white and green parts for layered flavor profile.
7. Add cooled macaroni to the prepared dressing, gently folding to coat each pasta piece evenly.
8. Incorporate crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, and chopped lettuce into the dressed pasta, mixing carefully to prevent crushing ingredients.
9. Sprinkle green onions over the top, reserving some for garnish.
10. Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and chill thoroughly before serving.
11. Garnish with reserved green onions and additional cracked black pepper just before serving.

Notes

• Customize bacon options by using turkey bacon for a leaner version or coconut bacon for a vegetarian alternative.
• Boost protein content by adding diced grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs to make the salad more substantial.
• Enhance freshness by using heirloom tomatoes or adding cucumber for extra crunch and moisture.
• Keep lettuce crisp by adding it just before serving to prevent wilting and maintain textural contrast.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg