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BLTA Pasta Salad

BLTA Pasta Salad

All of the elements of a great BLT sandwich, plus the added surprise of avocado and pasta!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bacon Dressing
  • 2 tbsp warm bacon grease reserved from cooked bacon in pasta salad
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 tbsp dijon mustard
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ tbsp italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • salt and pepper
Pasta Salad
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 lb cooked bacon
  • 12 oz grape tomatoes I used a rainbow medley
  • 2 medium-large avocados
  • ¼ cup diced red onion
  • 8 oz baby arugula

Method
 

Bacon Dressing
  1. Cook 1lb of bacon for pasta salad. Set aside. Take 2 tbsp of bacon grease and put it in a large bowl.
  2. Add remaining bacon dressing ingredients to the large bowl and whisk to combine.
  3. Set aside.
Pasta Salad
  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and cool.
  2. Chop cooked bacon into ¼-⅓ inch pieces. Halve or quarter tomatoes (depending on size...some of mine were pretty large).
  3. Cut the avocado into ½ inch cubes. Add avocado, bacon, tomatoes, onions and pasta to the large bowl with the dressing.
  4. Stir to coat with dressing. Add in arugula and toss. Serve immediately or allow to chill for 1 hour.

Notes

If making ahead, reserve the dressing in a separate bowl. Toss in dressing and arugula right before serving.