Okay, so picture this: you love a good BLT, right? That perfect salty bacon, the juicy tomatoes, the crisp lettuce… pure magic. Now, imagine all those incredible flavors bundled up in a creamy, dreamy macaroni salad. Mind. Blown. That, my friends, is the gloriousness of BLT Macaroni Salad! It's like your favorite sandwich decided to crash a potluck party, and let me tell you, it's the most popular guest there.
I've been whipping up salads for gatherings and family dinners for years, always trying to find that perfect mix of familiar comfort and something a little bit special. And honestly, this BLT Macaroni Salad recipe is one that always gets rave reviews. People just flock to it! It's got everything you want in a pasta salad – it's creamy, it's flavorful, and it's packed with those undeniably delicious BLT elements. Trust me, once you try this, your plain old macaroni salad will feel a little… naked.
Why You Will Love This BLT Macaroni Salad
Seriously, this BLT macaroni salad is going to become your new go-to for everything. It’s just so darn easy to throw together, which is a lifesaver when you’re trying to get food on the table or head out to a get-together. Plus, the flavor? Oh my goodness, it’s spot on! You get all those comforting, familiar BLT tastes you love, but in a fun, creamy salad form. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for picnics, BBQs, potlucks, or just a delicious lunch at home. You really can’t go wrong with something this simple and this tasty!
The Appeal of BLT Macaroni Salad
Okay, so why does the BLT work so well in a macaroni salad? It’s all about that balance! You have the rich, salty crunch of the bacon playing off the sweet, juicy tomatoes. Then the cool, crisp lettuce adds freshness, and the creamy dressing brings it all together with a little tang. It’s like the best parts of the sandwich got invited to a pasta party, and they totally hit it off. It just makes sense!
Ingredients for Your Best BLT Macaroni Salad
Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this magic happen! The beauty of this BLT macaroni salad is that it uses simple stuff you probably already have or can grab easily. You’ll start with a pound of elbow macaroni – cook it up according to the package directions, then give it a good rinse under cold water to stop it from cooking and get it nice and cool. For that creamy dressing, you’ll need a half cup of good quality mayonnaise, a quarter cup of sour cream (full fat is my preference for richness!), two tablespoons of tangy red wine vinegar, a tablespoon of Dijon mustard for a little kick, just a teaspoon of sugar to balance things out, a half teaspoon of salt, and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper. Then for the good stuff: eight slices of bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled into bits (don’t skimp on the bacon!), a cup of sweet cherry tomatoes, halved, a half cup of finely chopped celery for crunch, a quarter cup of finely chopped red onion (rinse it under cold water if you want to mellow out the bite!), and finally, two cups of shredded lettuce. Easy peasy, right?
Essential Components of BLT Macaroni Salad
So, what makes this BLT macaroni salad taste so spot-on like a BLT? It’s all about those core ingredients! The crispy, salty bacon is non-negotiable – it brings that essential smoky flavor and satisfying crunch. The cherry tomatoes add pops of sweet, juicy freshness that are crucial. And the shredded lettuce, added right at the end, gives you that signature BLT crispness and coolness. The creamy dressing ties everything together, making sure every bite is packed with that perfect BLT goodness.
How to Make BLT Macaroni Salad Step-by-Step
Making this BLT macaroni salad is seriously simple, and you’ll be enjoying it in no time! First things first, get your macaroni cooking. Follow the package directions, usually boiling water and tossing it in. Once it’s tender but still has a little bite (al dente is the way to go!), drain it really well. This next part is key: rinse that cooked macaroni with cold water! It stops the cooking process and cools it down fast, which is exactly what you want for a cold salad. Let it drain again thoroughly while you work on the rest.
While your pasta is chilling out, you’ll whip up the dreamy dressing. Grab a big bowl – make sure it’s big enough to hold everything later! Whisk together the mayo, sour cream, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until it’s super smooth and creamy. Give it a little taste and adjust if you think it needs a touch more salt or pepper. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!
Now for the fun part! Add your cooled, drained macaroni to that big bowl with the dressing. Toss in your crumbled bacon (try not to eat it all!), the halved cherry tomatoes, the chopped celery, and that finely chopped red onion. Stir everything gently so that creamy dressing coats every single piece of pasta and all those yummy bits are distributed evenly. Don’t add the lettuce yet! This salad needs a little time for the flavors to meld, so pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Trust me, chilling makes a huge difference. Just before you’re ready to serve, gently fold in the shredded lettuce. This keeps it nice and crisp! And there you have it – your absolutely delicious BLT macaroni salad is ready to be devoured!
Preparing the BLT Macaroni Salad Dressing
The dressing for this BLT macaroni salad is what brings all those amazing flavors together! It’s super easy to make. Just grab your mixing bowl and a whisk. Measure out your mayonnaise, sour cream, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper, and toss them all into the bowl. Give it a good whisk until everything is completely smooth and creamy. That’s it! Your delicious, tangy dressing is ready to go.
Combining Ingredients for BLT Macaroni Salad
Once your macaroni is cooked, rinsed, and cooled, it’s time to combine everything for your BLT macaroni salad! Get that big bowl with your prepared dressing ready. Add the cooled pasta, the glorious crumbled bacon, the sweet cherry tomatoes, the crunchy celery, and the chopped red onion right in. Use a spoon or spatula to gently stir everything together. You want to make sure every piece of macaroni and every little bit of BLT goodness is coated in that creamy dressing. Easy peasy!
Tips for Perfect BLT Macaroni Salad
Want your BLT macaroni salad to be absolutely the best it can be? I’ve got a few little tricks up my sleeve! First, don’t overcook your pasta. You want it al dente, because it’ll continue to absorb some dressing as it chills. Soggy pasta is a no-go! Also, make sure your bacon is *really* crispy. That crunch is essential for the BLT experience. When it comes to the red onion, if you find raw onion too strong, you can soak the chopped onion in cold water for about 10 minutes and then drain it really well before adding it to the salad – it mellows out the bite beautifully! And adding that shredded lettuce right before serving? Total game changer for crunch!
Frequently Asked Questions About BLT Macaroni Salad
Got questions about this amazing BLT macaroni salad? Totally understandable! Here are a few things people often ask, and my best answers to make sure your salad turns out perfectly every single time.
Can I Make BLT Macaroni Salad Ahead of Time?
Okay, so you can definitely do some prep ahead of time! You can cook and cool the macaroni, cook and crumble the bacon, and chop your veggies the day before. Keep everything separate in the fridge. Mix the dressing ahead of time too, and keep it covered. BUT – and this is a big but! – don’t combine everything until you’re ready to chill it for serving. And *definitely* don’t add the lettuce until just before serving. The lettuce gets sad and wilted if it sits in the dressing for too long. So, partial prep? Yes! Fully assembled and sitting for days? Not ideal for that fresh, crisp BLT macaroni salad experience.
What are the Best Substitutions for BLT Macaroni Salad?
Absolutely! While I love the classic, you can totally play around with this BLT macaroni salad recipe. If you’re not a fan of elbow macaroni, any small pasta shape will work – rotini, shells, or even penne cut in half. For the dressing, you can swap the sour cream for plain Greek yogurt for a tangier, slightly lighter version. If you don’t have red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar works too. And while bacon is king here, you could add some grilled chicken for extra protein, or even some avocado right before serving for another layer of creaminess!
Estimated Nutritional Information for BLT Macaroni Salad
Okay, so I know some of you like to have an idea of the nutritional breakdown, and that’s totally fair! Based on the ingredients in this BLT macaroni salad recipe, a typical serving (about 1 cup) is estimated to be around 450 calories. You’re looking at about 25g of fat (with around 7g saturated), 45g of carbohydrates, and 10g of protein. Keep in mind, though, these are just estimates! The exact numbers will totally depend on the specific brands of mayo, bacon, and pasta you use. Think of it as a ballpark figure, not a strict rule!
Serving and Storing Your BLT Macaroni Salad
Alright, your amazing BLT macaroni salad is ready to go! For serving, make sure you’ve gently stirred in that shredded lettuce right before you put it out. It looks so fresh and inviting! This salad is absolutely perfect served chilled, so give it at least 30 minutes in the fridge after you’ve mixed everything (except the lettuce!). Pop it in a pretty serving bowl, maybe garnish with a little extra crumbled bacon or a few tomato halves if you’re feeling fancy, and watch it disappear!
Now, for storing leftovers (if there even are any!). Just scoop the remaining BLT macaroni salad into an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days. Just know that the lettuce might get a little less crisp over time, but the flavors will still be fantastic! Give it a gentle stir before serving any leftovers.
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BLT Macaroni Salad: A 450 Calorie Joy Bomb
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
Creamy macaroni salad with the classic flavors of a BLT sandwich.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Add cooked macaroni, bacon, cherry tomatoes, celery, and red onion to the bowl. Stir to combine.
- Gently stir in shredded lettuce just before serving.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter version.
- Add grilled chicken for a heartier meal.
- This salad is best served the same day it is made.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: macaroni salad, BLT, pasta salad, summer salad, potluck