BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado Recipe

This BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado is the perfect marriage of bold flavors and fresh textures—all the goodness of a classic BLT, tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing and finished with creamy chunks of avocado. It’s hearty enough for a main dish, crowd-pleasing enough for potlucks, and so easy to throw together that it might become your new summertime staple!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This dreamy BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado shines thanks to a handful of essentials, each chosen for max flavor and perfect crunch. Every ingredient, from smoky bacon to creamy Greek yogurt, plays a unique role in creating that classic BLT magic—with a modern twist!

• Short Pasta Noodles (1 pound): Shells, farfalle, or cavatappi provide plenty of nooks for the creamy dressing and bits of bacon to cling to.
• Bacon (1 pound): Thick-cut bacon offers rich, salty crunch—feel free to cook it extra crispy if you love that texture throughout.
• Cherry Tomatoes (1 pint, halved): Juicy and sweet, they add bursts of color and classic BLT flavor.
• Arugula Leaves (2 cups): These peppery greens add a fresh, slightly spicy bite (feel free to use baby spinach instead if you prefer).
• Avocado (1, chopped): Creamy avocado adds luscious texture and a subtle richness that takes this salad over the top.
• Red Onion (¼ cup, thinly sliced): Just enough zing to balance all the flavors—soaking the slices briefly in cold water takes out some bite if desired.
• Plain Greek Yogurt (½ cup): The base for the dressing, bringing a light tang and creamy mouthfeel.
• Mayonnaise (½ cup): Classic mayo gives the dressing its signature silkiness and lovely body.
• White Vinegar (2 tablespoons): Adds bright acidity to wake up all the flavors.
• Fresh Minced Chives (1 tablespoon): Brings a mild onion flavor and a lovely burst of green.
• Fresh Minced Flat Leaf Parsley (1 tablespoon): An herbal lift that pairs beautifully with the salad’s fresh notes.
• Garlic Powder (1 teaspoon): For a savory, well-rounded depth in every bite.
• Kosher Salt (1 teaspoon): For perfectly balanced seasoning throughout the salad.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper (1 teaspoon): A little peppery kick for contrast.

Variations

Don’t hesitate to make this BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado your own! It’s such a flexible recipe, catering easily to your cravings, what’s in your fridge, or specific dietary needs—so go ahead and get creative.

• Swap the Greens: Try baby spinach, little gem lettuce, or chopped romaine for a mild crunchy green instead of arugula.
• Make It Vegetarian: Omit the bacon and toss in roasted chickpeas, smoked tempeh, or veggie bacon for that smoky flavor profile.
• Change Up the Pasta: Use gluten-free pasta, whole wheat, or even small tortellini for extra richness and fun.
• Zingy Dressing Twist: Stir in a spoonful of Dijon mustard, swap white vinegar for lemon juice, or use a little buttermilk to change up the dressing’s personality.
• Pack in More Veggies: Add diced cucumber, sweet corn, or red bell pepper for a boost of crunch and color.

How to Make BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Start by boiling your favorite short pasta in a big, generously salted pot of water. Cook until just al dente (a little bite makes for the best salad texture), then rinse under cool water to stop the cooking—this keeps the noodles from getting mushy and helps everything mix together smoothly later.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

While the pasta works its magic, cut your bacon into chunky half-inch pieces and cook in a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally so every piece crisps up perfectly—just the way you like it! When done, drain on a paper towel–lined plate to keep things from getting greasy.

Step 3: Prep the Veggies

While the bacon cools, halve your cherry tomatoes, slice the red onion super thin, and cube your avocado. Roughly chop the arugula if the leaves are large. These fresh ingredients bring so much color and flavor to your BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado—it’s almost like preparing for an edible confetti party!

Step 4: Mix the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, white vinegar, chives, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. If you want a slightly thinner dressing, add a splash of milk, water, or even buttermilk. Give it a quick taste and adjust seasoning as needed—this creamy dressing is the heart of the salad.

Step 5: Toss and Serve

In your big mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crunchy bacon bits, juicy tomatoes, peppery arugula, creamy avocado, and red onion. Pour the dressing over and gently toss until everything is beautifully coated. Taste one more time for seasoning (a pinch more salt or pepper, if needed), then chill until ready to serve. Your BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado is officially ready for the spotlight!

How to Serve BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado

Garnishes

Take this already-gorgeous salad over the top with a shower of extra chopped chives, a dusting of fresh black pepper, or even a few shavings of parmesan cheese on top right before serving. A final layer of crumbled bacon never hurts for dramatic effect—BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado is all about those finishing touches!

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with classic summer mains—think grilled chicken, burgers, or BBQ ribs. For something lighter on the side, serve with a fresh fruit salad or a platter of crunchy raw veggies and hummus. BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado is seriously the MVP of any picnic, potluck, or cookout menu.

Creative Ways to Present

Spoon into mason jars for picnic-friendly portions, serve in lettuce cups for finger food fun, or arrange on a big serving platter ringed with extra arugula and vibrant tomatoes. BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado looks stunning when layered in a clear trifle bowl—let those colorful layers shine!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for up to 2 days—the avocado may darken a little but will taste just as delicious, especially with a fresh drizzle of lemon juice to brighten things up.

Freezing

This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as freezing tends to change the texture of both the avocado and the creamy dressing. If you have leftovers, keep them in the fridge—but BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado doesn’t love the cold depths of the freezer!

Reheating

BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado is meant to be served cold, so skip the microwave. If it’s been chilling for a while, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, give it a gentle toss, and maybe add a little extra dressing to liven things up before serving again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you love a classic BLT and crave something refreshingly different, I can’t encourage you enough to try this BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado. It’s as easy to pull together as it is delicious—perfectly creamy, full of crunch, and bursting with color. Give it a spot on your next menu; I promise, everyone will be asking for the recipe!

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