Description
Creamy “BLT Macaroni Salad” combines classic sandwich flavors in a refreshing pasta dish. Crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and crisp lettuce mingle with al dente macaroni, promising a delightful summer side you’ll crave at every picnic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) Bacon
- 16 oz (454 grams) Macaroni Noodles
- 4 Tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups (226 grams) Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (67 grams) Romaine Lettuce, chopped
Seasoning and Flavoring:
- 3 cups (710 milliliters) Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Sugar
- 3 tablespoons White Vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Onion Powder
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Dill, chopped
Additional Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious cooking vessel and bring water to a vigorous boil. Immerse macaroni noodles and cook according to package guidelines. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to halt cooking and cool rapidly.
- Select a generously sized mixing bowl and whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, white vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, fresh dill, salt, and pepper until the mixture transforms into a smooth, harmonious blend.
- Transfer cooled pasta into the seasoned dressing, gently tossing until each noodle is lavishly coated. Seal the bowl and refrigerate for one hour to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
- While chilling, transform bacon into crispy delights by cooking until perfectly golden and crunchy. Once cooled, crumble into rustic bite-sized fragments.
- Prepare fresh accompaniments by dicing ripe tomatoes into uniform cubes and chopping lettuce into delicate, bite-friendly pieces. Shred cheddar cheese into light, airy strands.
- When ready to serve, introduce a splash of milk to enhance the salad’s creamy texture. Gently fold in crumbled bacon, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato chunks, and shredded cheese.
- Toss ingredients with a light touch, ensuring even distribution. Serve chilled for maximum flavor and textural contrast.
Notes
- Chill the pasta thoroughly before mixing with dressing to prevent a soggy texture and help ingredients bind perfectly.
- Opt for thick-cut bacon for extra crunch and more robust flavor that stands up well in the salad.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for maximum juiciness and crisp lettuce to maintain textural contrast in the final dish.
- Consider Greek yogurt as a healthier mayonnaise alternative that adds tanginess and reduces overall calories without compromising creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg