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With Salt and Wit

Laugh Often. Eat Well.

8 May 8, 2015 30 Minute Recipes

BLT Pasta Salad with Balsamic Dijon Vinaigrette

A favorite sandwich gets a pasta salad makeover! BLT Pasta Salad is a combination of bacon, tomatoes and lettuce with avocado added for one flavorful dish!

A favorite sandwich gets a pasta salad makeover! BLT Pasta Salad is a combination of bacon, tomatoes and lettuce with avocado added for one flavorful dish!” alt=”alt description” />

A favorite sandwich gets a pasta salad makeover! BLT Pasta Salad is a combination of bacon, tomatoes and lettuce with avocado added for one flavorful dish!

What side of the fence are you on? The love it or hate it side? Pasta salad fence that is.

A favorite sandwich gets a pasta salad makeover! BLT Pasta Salad is a combination of bacon, tomatoes and lettuce with avocado added for one flavorful dish!

For years, I was on the not fond side. But that was for a few reasons. First off, they were loaded with mayo. Something I have never really been a fan of. Second, the pasta was overcooked creating an overly mushy texture. Have I mentioned I am texture gal? And third, the mayo overpowers nearly all flavors. Technically that falls into number 1, but whatever.

A favorite sandwich gets a pasta salad makeover! BLT Pasta Salad is a combination of bacon, tomatoes and lettuce with avocado added for one flavorful dish!

There was one type of ‘salad’ I did love. My mothers Croatian Potato Salad. Yes, I know its not a pasta salad but I believe potato and pasta are in the same category here. Amiright? Back to the Croatian Potato Salad. Tender slices of potato are tossed in an olive oil and vinegar dressing with a bit of salt and pepper. Then diced green peppers and red onion. Seems simple enough but the flavors sing once combined and chilled. OMG. With summer coming, I can just taste it now.

You notice the difference in the one salad I love to the ones I don’t so much love? There is no mayo. Rather an olive oil base. My pasta/potato dilemma solved.

A favorite sandwich gets a pasta salad makeover! BLT Pasta Salad is a combination of bacon, tomatoes and lettuce with avocado added for one flavorful dish!

When I started brainstorming recipes to take to our friends BBQ to kick off KC’s warm weather, I turned to our dinner the night before for inspiration. BLT’s. Who doesn’t love BLT’s? If that is you, please don’t raise your hand. I would rather not know and keep my positive vibe of you.

Kidding! It’s not a deal breaker for our friendship. I am not that mean!

A favorite sandwich gets a pasta salad makeover! BLT Pasta Salad is a combination of bacon, tomatoes and lettuce with avocado added for one flavorful dish!

I used quinoa pasta for a nutty aspect to the salad which adds another layer. Then the usual aspects are thrown in. Chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes and crispy bacon. But I didn’t stop there. Avocado. Oh avocado how I love you. The creamy aspects helps to bind the pasta together, sort of of the role of mayo. Except mayo wasn’t invited here.

And the dressing? My ol stand by of balsamic vinaigrette was tossed together and with the pasta once it is drained. This prevents the pasta from sticking to itself.

Which is almost as bad as having overly mushy pasta…

This salad is great to make ahead, chilled then brought out upon serving. The flavors meld together. Just like a pasta salad should! And no mayo needed.

A favorite sandwich gets a pasta salad makeover! BLT Pasta Salad is a combination of bacon, tomatoes and lettuce with avocado added for one flavorful dish!

BLT Pasta Salad with Balsamic Dijon Vinaigrette

A favorite sandwich gets a pasta salad makeover! BLT Pasta Salad is a combination of bacon, tomatoes and lettuce with avocado added for one flavorful dish!

15 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

25 minTotal Time

Yields 8-10

Author:

Megan

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Ingredients

  • Vinaigrette:
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp each Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • Salad:
  • 6 ounces uncooked quinoa or whole wheat shell pasta
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
  • 6 cups Romaine lettuce, for filling the lunch container

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the packages instructions.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, make the vinaigrette by whisking together the olive oil, Dijon, balsamic, salt, pepper and garlic powder until combined.
  3. When the pasta is done cooking, drain then add the vinaigrette. Toss until all the pasta is coated. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
  4. Then add the bacon, avocado and tomatoes.
  5. If serving right away, toss with the lettuce and serve
  6. If chilling first and serving later, set pasta mixture in a sealed container in the fridge. Before serving, toss with the lettuce and serve.
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https://withsaltandwit.com/blt-pasta-salad-with-balsamic-dijon-vinaigrette/

Hungry for more healthy side dishes?

Walnut, Grape & Kale Quinoa Salad with White Balsamic Dressing is a salad that is perfect to make ahead and is filled with sweet, savory, nutty grains and greens to keep you healthy and full!

Walnut, Grape & Kale Quinoa Salad

Gnocchi Caprese Salad | Caprese Salad gets made over and tossed with delicious gnocchi for an easy and wholesome, make ahead salad! #salad #caprese #healthy #gnocchi

Gnocchi Caprese Salad

Honey & Strawberry Panzanella Salad | The Housewife in Training Files

Honey & Strawberry Panzanella Salad

If you make this recipe, make sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #HOUSEWIFEINTRAININGFILES. I’d love to see what you are cooking up in your kitchen!

8

Categories: 30 Minute Recipes Tags: avocado, bacon, balsamic, BBQ, BLT, dressing, gluten free, healthy, lettuce, pasta, quinoa, salad, tomato

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Previous Post: « The Cooking Class Files: Speedy Meals Using Pantry Staples
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says

    May 8, 2015 at 6:40 am

    i am on the same fence as you. I used to hate pasta salad, because of the unhealthy...but now I sort of love it. Especially when you use quinoa pasta and bacon. Like, gimme ALL OF THIS PASTA GOODNESS! Pinned!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 8, 2015 at 7:26 am

      I like the fence we are on now! Thanks love!
      Reply
  2. Maria says

    May 8, 2015 at 8:12 am

    Great salad for summer!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 8, 2015 at 4:39 pm

      I agree! Thanks Maria!!
      Reply
  3. Heather / girlichef says

    May 8, 2015 at 8:37 am

    BLT's are one of my favorite things in the universe. I'm pretty sure I need (NEED!) this pasta salad in my life - preferably soon. I like pasta salad, but have found a few that really love...and most of those are oil/vinegar based too, as opposed to mayo.
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 8, 2015 at 4:38 pm

      Right?! And yes for another olive oil/vinegar lover! Thanks Heather!
      Reply
  4. Beth says

    May 8, 2015 at 11:24 am

    The bacon and avocado have me sold! I would definitely put a big scoop of this pasta salad on my dinner plate!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 8, 2015 at 4:38 pm

      I want to join you for dinner! Thanks friend!
      Reply
  5. Katalina@ Peas and Peonies says

    May 8, 2015 at 11:31 am

    Love the bacon in this salad, such a nice change from the usual mayo pasta salads!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 8, 2015 at 4:38 pm

      Can't go wrong with bacon ;) Thanks Katalina!
      Reply
  6. Liz says

    May 8, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    Thank you Meg for he nice salad. I love pasta and BLT's.
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 8, 2015 at 3:38 pm

      So glad to hear that! Thanks Liz! Happy weekend :)
      Reply
  7. Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says

    May 8, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    I'm usually on the hate side of pasta salad but I might need to switch sides after seeing this fabulousness.
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 8, 2015 at 3:37 pm

      Oh you, it takes a special pasta salad for me to love it too! Thanks Jocelyn!
      Reply
  8. Jenny B @ Honey and Birch says

    May 8, 2015 at 2:50 pm

    Love love love this! While I am a fan of mayo-based pasta salads, I can totally see how they turn some off. Your substitution with the vinaigrette is a great idea and I can't wait to try this. Plussss, bacon. Nuff' said.
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 8, 2015 at 3:36 pm

      So glad to hear that! Thanks Jenny!
      Reply
  9. Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says

    May 8, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    I'm not a big fan of mayo either, but this looks fantastic! Pinned!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 8, 2015 at 3:35 pm

      Yes for another non-mayo lover! Thanks Ashley!
      Reply
  10. sarah grace says

    May 8, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    This looks SO delicious! Mmm that balsamic dijon must create the best flavor :) xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 9, 2015 at 7:42 am

      Why thank you Sarah! It's pretty tasty!
      Reply
  11. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

    May 8, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    Okay, I just knew we were meant to be friends, I really loath mayo! lol Love this salad because it has quinoa and because it is mayoless! ;-) Pinned!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 9, 2015 at 7:41 am

      Yes! Knew you were cool ;) Thanks lovely!
      Reply
  12. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says

    May 8, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    I adore all things pasta...but I totally agree with you...it can't be mushy! I love that you turned a BLT into an amazing pasta salad. This looks like the perfect summer salad!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 9, 2015 at 7:40 am

      Glad someone is with me on the pasta thing! Thanks Jocelyn!
      Reply
  13. Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says

    May 9, 2015 at 6:36 am

    I am on the I love pasta side of the fence, especially one loaded with veggies!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 9, 2015 at 7:42 am

      Oh yes!!! I agree!! A veggie loaded one is the best kind! Thanks Amy :)
      Reply
  14. Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says

    May 9, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    I love anything and all thing pasta, but your right about the mayo. It can be so fattening. I also like my pasta salad to have a crunch. Nothing mushy and soggy. Yuck. I also love anything and everything BLT and the balsamic vinegar...genius Meg!! So need to make this asap. :)
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 9, 2015 at 4:20 pm

      OH I agree on the crunch!! Lots of texture for sure. Thanks so much Cyndi!!
      Reply
  15. Kate @ Diethood says

    May 9, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    Team BLT!!! I am SO into big summer salads! Can’t wait to try yours!!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 11, 2015 at 6:54 am

      Ya! Thanks Kate!
      Reply
  16. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says

    May 9, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    This pasta salad looks great, I love that you used a balsamic vinaigrette instead of mayo, that's such a great idea! Plus BLT and avocado anything is just plain amazing!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 11, 2015 at 6:53 am

      And I agree with you...BLT's and avocado are hard to beat! Thanks Stacey!
      Reply
  17. Amy Holland says

    May 11, 2015 at 8:09 am

    I am definitely putting this on my summer salad board....but I would absolutely have to add a few blue cheese crumbles on top. :)
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 11, 2015 at 7:12 pm

      OH yes! I wish I could have blue cheese right now...currently its not on my 'can eat list'...maybe in 6 months ;)
      Reply
  18. Andi @ The Weary Chef says

    May 11, 2015 at 11:44 pm

    You seriously come up with the best salads, this looks amazing!
    Reply
    • Meg says

      May 12, 2015 at 6:40 am

      Ah thanks Andi! It's pretty tasty!
      Reply

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Hi There!

I'm Megan! A wife, mama and have a serious love of nutritious, time-saving meals with a knack for meal prep hacks. I crave simple, wholesome and balanced meals with a bit of humor on the side! Welcome to my kitchen. Read More…

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