The pasta salad that never fails to amaze me is this BLT Pasta Salad. One of the best pasta salads with bacon, spinach, and cream, this salad will sway any pasta salad doubters.
My love for this recipe started when I first encountered the concept of pasta salads. Although I am a salad sceptic, this is the one recipe that I find myself recreating all the time. I have been making this for brunch, lunch, and dinner, too, and it fits all occasions.
Made in one pot in under 20 minutes, this no-fuss, minimal-cleaning recipe is a treat for every table. When I put this BLT Pasta Salad on the table, even my friends who had never touched a pasta salad before devoured it in no time.
Try out this recipe for yourself and let me know what you think. Follow the details below.
Equipment Required
- Saucepan: To prepare my pasta for this recipe, I am using a saucepan.
- Spatula: For gently mixing all the ingredients, I have my wooden spatula with me.
- Knife: This recipe includes some vegetables, so use a sharp knife to chop them finely.
BLT Pasta Salad Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve up to 1 person. You can adjust the quantity to accommodate more or fewer people.
- 25g Pasta bowtie: I am using pasta bows, but any shape of pasta works.
- 2 Cooked, Crispy Bacon Rashers Broken Into Pieces: If you want fresh bacon, then you can cook it and add it to the pasta.
- 15g Spinach Chopped: If you are a fan of lettuce, then you can add it as well. Baby spinach also goes well with this recipe.
- 6 Cherry Tomatoes Halved: I am using cherry tomatoes, but you can also use grape tomatoes.
- ½ Tablespoon Crème Fraîche
- ¼ Teaspoon Wholegrain Mustard
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | 10 Minutes | 15 Minutes |
How To Make BLT Pasta Salad At Home
Step 1
Boil the pasta and mix it with crème fraîche, mustard sauce, chopped spinach, bacon, and halved cherry tomatoes.
Step 2
Toss everything together, and serve immediately.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- When I make BLT Pasta Salad, I like to cook the pasta until al dente. Overcooked pasta can become mushy while mixing.
- Another tip for cooking pasta is to add salt to the water while it’s boiling. Pasta does not have any flavours of its own, so adding salt helps accentuate the flavours.
- Keep in mind that crème fraîche does not stick well with cold pasta. For best results, add it to warm pasta. When my BLT Pasta Salad feels extremely dry, I add a little bit of starchy pasta water to emulsify it. This helps create that glossy texture on the pasta and also improves the overall taste of the dish.
- I am not using cheese in this recipe because crème fraîche does the job for me. However, to make it extra cheesy, you can add cheese to it.
- To make it more leafy, consider adding arugula or kale to the recipe.
- Perfecting the bacon also plays a significant role in this recipe. I always cook it at medium heat. High heat can make it tough, while low heat can result in a chewy texture.
- For the best flavour, I recommend letting it stay in the fridge overnight. This allows the flavours to mingle together. Even if you are not keeping it overnight, let it stay in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
FAQs About BLT Pasta Salad
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Of course, I would want to have BLT Pasta Salad every day, but unfortunately, it’s not a healthy option. Being high in calories, it should be consumed in moderation. To know about its nutritional values in depth, take a look at the chart below:
| Calories | 332 kcal |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g |
| Carbs | 35 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Salt | 1.5 g |
But on a brighter note, this recipe is completely soy- and nut-free. Hence, people following those diets can have it without any restrictions. On the other hand, people following vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets need to make certain changes to the ingredients list first.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Gluten-Free: BLT Pasta Salad recipe is not gluten-free. However, to serve it to my gluten-free friends, I use gluten-free pasta while making it.
- Dairy-Free: If you want to make it dairy-free, replace the crème fraîche with coconut cream. I have tried this a few times, and it tastes equally delicious.
Storing & Reheating This Recipe
Storing
- Counter Top: I leave my precious BLT Pasta Salad on the countertop for only 1 hour. Beyond this, the chances of contamination increase, so I put it in the fridge for safety.
- Refrigeration: BLT Pasta Salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-4 days. However, I let it cool down first. Then, I pack it in airtight containers to preserve its texture and taste.
- Freezing: I would not recommend freezing your BLT Pasta Salad. This is because the spinach and pasta get mushy over time.
Reheating
- Microwave: I prefer using a microwave to reheat my BLT pasta salad quickly. I add the leftovers to a microwave-friendly bowl and heat them on medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
What to Serve With This Recipe
BLT pasta salad pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes, making it a great choice for picnics, potlucks, or easy family dinners. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or barbecue ribs for a hearty meal. It also complements lighter sides like garlic bread, corn on the cob, or a refreshing fruit platter. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or preparing a quick lunch, this salad fits effortlessly with almost any main dish.
Printable Version
BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 25 g bowtie Pasta
- Crispy Bacon Rashers Broken Into Pieces
- 15 g Spinach Chopped
- 6 Cherry Tomatoes Halved
- ½ Tablespoon Crème Fraîche
- ¼ Teaspoon Wholegrain Mustard
Equipment
- Spatula
- Saucepan
- Knife
Instructions
- Boil the pasta and mix it with crème fraîche, mustard sauce, chopped spinach, bacon, and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Toss everything together, and serve immediately.
Notes
- When I make BLT Pasta Salad, I like to cook the pasta until al dente. Overcooked pasta can become mushy while mixing.
- Another tip regarding pasta is to add salt to the water while boiling it. Pasta does not have any flavors of its own, so adding salt helps accentuate the flavors.
- Keep in mind that crème fraîche does not stick well with cold pasta. For best results, add it to warm pasta. When my BLT Pasta Salad feels extremely dry, I add a little bit of starchy pasta water to emulsify it. This helps create that glossy texture on the pasta and also improves the overall taste of the dish.
- I am not using cheese in this recipe because crème fraîche does the job for me. However, to make it extra cheesy, you can add cheese to it.
- To make it more leafy, you can add arugula or kale to the recipe.
- Perfecting the bacon also plays a big role in this recipe. I always cook it at medium heat. High heat can make it tough, while low heat can make it chewy in texture.
- For the best flavor, I recommend letting it stay in the fridge overnight. This allows the flavors to mingle together. Even if you are not keeping it overnight, let it stay in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Nutrition
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Conclusion
Make this BLT Pasta Salad at home and enjoy the goodness that comes with it. This is a great way to upgrade your regular salads and pastas. Since this recipe allows you to use leftover pasta, it can also be a great way to minimise leftovers.
Now that you have read the entire article and reached this point, I am sure you will give it a try. If you do, then let me know how it turned out. I am eagerly waiting to hear all of your stories.
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