BLTA Pasta Salad
All of the elements of a great BLT sandwich, plus the added surprise of avocado and pasta!
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
Instructions
Bacon Dressing
- Cook 1lb of bacon for pasta salad. Set aside. Take 2 tbsp of bacon grease and put it in a large bowl.
- Add remaining bacon dressing ingredients to the large bowl and whisk to combine.
- Set aside.
Pasta Salad
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and cool.
- Chop cooked bacon into ¼-⅓ inch pieces. Halve or quarter tomatoes (depending on size...some of mine were pretty large).
- Cut the avocado into ½ inch cubes. Add avocado, bacon, tomatoes, onions and pasta to the large bowl with the dressing.
- 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.