BLT Pasta Salad Avocado (Printable)

A vibrant mix of pasta, bacon, avocado, and fresh veggies for a satisfying cold dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz short pasta such as fusilli, rotini, or penne
02 - 1 teaspoon salt for boiling water

→ Bacon

03 - 6 slices bacon

→ Vegetables

04 - 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 large ripe avocado, diced
06 - 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
07 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

08 - 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Optional Additions

14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, place bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until crisp, turning occasionally, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, green onions, and most of the bacon, reserving a little for garnish. Add the dressing and toss gently to coat.
05 - Just before serving, gently fold in the diced avocado.
06 - Transfer to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with the remaining bacon and optional herbs. Serve immediately, or chill for up to 2 hours for a colder salad.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like a BLT sandwich had a glow-up, combining all those flavors you crave in one bowl.
  • The whole thing comes together in about 35 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute dinners or potlucks.
  • Cold salads are forgiving, so you can prep it hours ahead and let the flavors get friendlier as they sit.
02 -
  • Adding the avocado right before serving is non-negotiable if you want it to stay that beautiful green color instead of turning brown and sad.
  • The lettuce will get softer as it sits with the dressing, which is fine if you like it that way, but if you want crunch, wait to add it until serving time.
03 -
  • Cooking your pasta a minute under the package time keeps it from getting mushy once the dressing sits on it for a few hours.
  • Save a small handful of bacon for garnish because people notice and remember that crispy finishing touch more than you'd expect.
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