This amazing BLT Macaroni Salad is a fusion dish combining everything we love about a BLT sandwich and a pasta salad. It can be served as an entrée for a light supper, as a make and take picnic salad or as a mouthwatering side dish for a backyard Summer BBQ.

Ingredients to Make BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe

Macaroni salad is a picnic classic and I think it’s fun to shake things up from time to time and add a bit of a twist to classic Macaroni Salad. This BLT variation is made with elbow macaroni, thinly sliced lettuce, green onions, diced plum tomatoes and a homemade creamy mayonnaise dressing. And, of course, a generous amount of crumbled bacon. It’s scrumptious and a fantastic addition to your pasta salad recipe menu for potlucks and family dinners. Ingredients to make BLT Macaroni Salad: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

Pasta – One 16 ounce box elbow macaroni.
Lettuce – Two cups loosely packed thinly sliced green leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce.
Vegetables – Green onion and tomatoes.
Bacon – 1/2 pound crispy cooked bacon.
Mayo – I recommend real mayonnaise and not salad dressing like Miracle Whip.
Sour Cream – Sour cream for creaminess.
Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar gives a slight tang to the dressing.
Sugar – A small amount of granulated sugar to balance the flavor.
Seasonings – Celery salt, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dry dill and black pepper.

How to Make the Best BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe

Serve this hearty macaroni salad as a featured side dish or an entrée, either way it’s a winning flavor combination.

Cook the Macaroni – Cook the elbow macaroni in salted water per the package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
Make the Mayo Dressing – Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, celery salt, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dill and black pepper to taste.
Combine – Add the drained macaroni, sliced green onion and diced tomatoes.
Refrigerate – Mix until the vegetables are evenly distributed then cover and chill.
Add Lettuce – Just before serving mix in the sliced green leaf lettuce or romaine and crumbled bacon.
Stir and Make Seasoning Adjustments – Taste and adjust the creaminess of the dressing and the amount of salt and black pepper, if needed.
Serve – Garnish blt pasta salad with additional bacon and green onions. Serve warm or chilled.

Tips for Making BLT Pasta Salad

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Large pot or pasta cooker, measuring cups and spoons, skillet for cooking the bacon, sharp knife and cutting board, large spoon or spatula and large bowl.
Make-Ahead Tip: I often make this pasta salad the day before serving to give ample time for the flavors to marry. I then wait to toss in the lettuce, bacon and tomatoes on the day I’m planning on serving this BLT macaroni salad.
Add the Lettuce Just Before Serving: Green leaf lettuce is my lettuce of choice for BLT macaroni salad. To keep the crispy texture of the lettuce toss it into the salad on the day you plan on serving it, or just before serving. Just place it into a large bowl and toss everything together. If you add the final touches within a hour or two of serving you’ll be good to go.
Taste and Adjust the Dressing: Warm pasta tends to soak-up the seasonings and dressing. You can also adjust the creaminess of the dressing and the amount of salt and black pepper after the salad has cooled.
Make a Half Batch: All of the ingredient amounts are easily halved if you need less servings.
How to Serve: This scrumptious BLT Macaroni Salad can be served as a side dish with chicken, pork, steak or as a side dish with soup and sandwiches.

Why Is My Macaroni Salad Dry?

If your macaroni salad is dry, it needs more mayo or dressing. It often happens when you first make pasta salad and combine the ingredients while it’s still warm,it tends to soak in the dressing. It’s always a good idea to stir the salad just before serving, so you can add more dressing, if needed.

Recipe Variations

Pasta Substitution: You could adapt this pasta salad recipe using a different shaped pasta such as cavatappi, twisted macaroni, rotini pasta or medium shells.
Lettuce: It’s important to use a hearty lettuce such as green leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce for the gorgeous color, texture and taste.
Dressing: You could use Ranch dressing for a time saver.
Vegetables: You could use red onion or add cucumber and avocado slices to the mix.
Tomatoes: You could use halved cherry tomatoes in place of roma tomatoes.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers: Store BLT Macaroni Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing this salad. The fresh vegetables and dressing will change texture.

More Recipes Using Macaroni to Make

Macaroni has many uses and can add bulk and flavor to the most mundane meal. More Southern style recipes using macaroni and pasta to try:

Super cheesy Double Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese.
Tuna Macaroni Salad can be enjoyed as a side dish or a light meal.
The kiddos love this Cheesy Hot Dog Macaroni Casserole.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is delicious to the very last forkful.
The kiddos will love these Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Muffins.
This Cobb Macaroni Salad can be served as a side dish or an entrée.
Kicked-up Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese.
Macaroni and Tomatoes from Southern Living.

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