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BLT Macaroni Salad

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.

BLT Macaroni Salad

Easy 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 menu. How to make BLT Macaroni Salad: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Macaroni – Cook the elbow macaroni in salted water per the package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
  • 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. Mix until evenly distributed then cover and chill.
  • Just before serving mix in the sliced green leaf lettuce and crumbled bacon.
  • Taste and adjust the creaminess of the dressing and the amount of salt and black pepper, if needed.
  • Garnish with additional bacon and green onion if desired. Serve warm or chilled. 
BLT Macaroni Salad

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.

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make this easy BLT Macaroni Salad recipe: Elbow macaroni, mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, celery salt, onion powder, garlic powder or granulated garlic, paprika, fresh or dried dill, black pepper, green onions, tomatoes, crumbled bacon and green leaf lettuce.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large pot, measuring cups and spoons, sharp knife and cutting board, large spoon or spatula and large bowl.
  • Green leaf lettuce is my lettuce of choice for BLT macaroni salad. To keep the crispy texture of the lettuce and bacon toss those ingredients into the salad on the day you plan on serving it or just before serving. I often make this salad the day before to give the flavors time to marry and then toss those last two ingredients of lettuce and tomatoes into the mix on the day I’m planning on serving this BLT macaroni salad. Just place it into a large bowl and toss together. If you add the final touches within a hour or two of serving you’ll be good to go.
  • You can also adjust the creaminess of the dressing and the amount of salt and black pepper after the salad has cooled. Warm pasta tends to soak-up the seasonings and dressing.
  • It’s also important to use a hearty lettuce such as this green leaf lettuce for the gorgeous color, texture and taste.
  • The ingredient amounts are easily halved if you’re cooking for a smaller crowd.
  • Store BLT Macaroni Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • If you love BLT’s as much as my family does, checkout this BLT Pie recipe from Better Homes and Garden.
BLT Macaroni Salad in a bowl

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:

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BLT Macaroni Salad

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: blt-macaroni-salad, macaroni-salad-recipes
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 184kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 16 oz box elbow macaroni
  • 1 1/2 cup real mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 3 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tsp celery salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp dry dill
  • black pepper to taste
  • 5 green onion thinly sliced
  • 4 roma tomatoes seeded and diced
  • 2 cup loosely packed thinly sliced green leaf lettuce
  • 1/2 lb bacon cooked and crumbled

Instructions

  • Cook the elbow macaroni in salted water per the package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, apple cider vinegar, celery salt, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dill and black pepper to taste.
  • Add the drained macaroni, sliced green onion and diced tomatoes. Mix until evenly distributed then cover and chill.
  • Just before serving mix in the sliced green leaf lettuce and crumbled bacon. Taste and adjust the creaminess of the dressing and the amount of salt and black pepper, if needed.
  • Garnish with additional bacon and green onion if desired. Serve warm or chilled. 

Notes

This recipe easily halves.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 479mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 586IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

 

29 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This BLT pasta salad is perfect!!! The dressing is delicious and MAKES the salad.
    I halved it because it’s just for me. It would be nice if the recipe was scalable so I wouldn’t have to do so much mental math! LOL
    I’ll be making it often. Thanks!!!

  2. 5 stars
    Delicious….. didn’t have stripped bacon, used real bacon bits from Sam’s .. will become my “Go to”salad for summer pot luck.. next time will fry up bacon.TY

    1. 5 stars
      The dressing alone could be put on any macaroni salad! It’s absolutely delicious !❤️ I loved this salad! Thank you!❤️

  3. The ingredients call for 3TBS sugar, but this is not mentioned in the directions. Where does this go?

  4. I make this same macaroni salad only I add cucumbers green peppers radishes boiled eggs and shredded chesse

  5. Oh wow this looks fabulous!! I’m always looking for new takes on classics, and this sounds perfect. My husband would just love it! Thanks!!!

  6. Johny Carino’s Restaurant has a wedge salad made with iceberg lettuce, Blue Cheese crumbles, tomatoes, fried buttery pecans and fried bacon bits. OMG, this is almost like it and is absolutely wonderful!

    1. Hi Sarah! Wonderful so happy you’re enjoying that one, it’s a family favorite! This is perfect for summer picnics. ☺

      1. Hi Melissa. I live in Tijuana Mex. and can’t find celery salt.. is there something I can substitute for that instead?

      2. Hi Maria! You can omit that and use regular salt. Perhaps add a bit of finely diced celery to replace it but otherwise you should be good.

      1. 5 stars
        I have 2 broken feet so my husband has been cooking for 6 long months and he was so excited to make this it makes you want it because it looks so good, I can’t wait! who knew he could cook after 33 years of marriage, Thanks for this recipe that takes all that he loves and all in one bowl! yummy!!

      2. Hi Kathi, sorry to hear about your injury but, yay for husbands who cook! Enjoy!

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