Name: Healthy BLT Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 oz bacon (5 slices), cut into 1/2 inch strips; 6 oz pasta rotini, bowtie or fusilli; 3 cups greens, kale, romaine or arugla; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half; 1/4 red onion, diced; 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, cubed; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup Greek yogurt; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1/4 tsp garlic powder; fine sea salt and pepper; fresh parsley and basil

This bacon, lettuce and tomato pasta salad has all of those delicious flavours of the classic BLT sandwich we have grown to love! The crispy bacon, juicy tomato and fresh crisp lettuce with homemade dressing is recreated into the best pasta version for a summertime BBQ, family gathering or picnic.

I can’t let summer go by with having a few bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich! It is one of my favourite summer sandwiches and if I don’t have bacon on hand, then it is a tomato and lettuce with mayo sandwich….sooo good!

This pasta salad recipe has all of the flavours we love in a BLT and the creamy mayo-yogurt dressing I made for this salad is just the right amount of creaminess. It is fresh, flavourful, healthy and so satisfying that you can enjoy it as a meal.

Pasta salads are perfect for summer to serve as a side at a family gathering, try taking it to lunch at work, or simply make it as a meal. This pasta recipe is loaded with protein and healthy local vegetables.

INGREDIENTS

SALAD

Pasta: types of pasta for this recipe are rotini, fusilli, macaroni or bowtie
Bacon: use lean cut bacon
Vegetables: cherry or grape tomatoes, red onion and greens (I used kale)
Herbs: fresh parsley and fresh basil
White cheddar cheese

DRESSING

Hellmanne’s mayonnaise with olive oil
Greek yogurt
Lemon juice
Garlic powder
Sea salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Cook the pasta first to allow it to cool. Bring a medium sauce pot to a full boil with 1 tablespoon of sea salt, add the pasta and reduce heat to a low boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain pasta in a colander and allow to cool at room temperature. DO NOT rinse the pasta.

You will want to cut the bacon into 1/2 inch strips and cook in a medium skillet or fry pan, over medium heat until crispy. Transfer the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towel to absorb any grease.

Dressing: Using a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Toss the ingredients together: Once the pasta is cooled, add the dressing and toss to coat. Add the greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bacon and cheese. Carefully, fold the ingredients until the dressing is well distributed.

TIPS

1. Why should you NOT RINSE the cooked pasta? By rinsing the pasta won’t allow the creamy dressing to adhere to the pasta. A dry pasta allows the dressing to stick to the pasta.

2. Cut the bacon into strips is an easy way for the bacon to cook quickly and create crispiness.

3. When combining the pasta, bacon and vegetables with the dressing, gentle fold the ingredients to avoid the pasta from breaking apart and you want the cherry to stay intacted.

Serve warm or refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with parsley and basil.

WHAT MAKES THIS A HEALTHY PASTA…..

1. THE DRESSING IS HOMEMADE

2. BY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF MAYONNAISE AND ADDING GREEK YOGURT TO THE DRESSING

WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT…

LOADED with veggies that are high in nutrients, vibrant and adds a variety of textures
HIGH in protein with a serve size will provide over 15g per serving
MAKE AHEAD for your lunches or a bbq gathering is a great way to plan ahead
IF YOU LOVE BLT sandwich, you will love this pasta dish
SO DELICIOUS in every bite

STORE this pasta salad in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in a container with a sealed lid.

DID YOU MAKE THIS DELICIOUS RECIPE….WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR FEEDBACK WITH A COMMENT AND RATING! Thank you Rose