Blt Pasta Salad With Creamy Lemon Chive Dressing Video

BLT PASTA SALAD VIDEO

EASY BLT PASTA SALAD

You guys, I have waaaaaay too many recipes I want to share with you before Easter so only the best of the best are making the cut like my Potatoes Au Gratin with Bacon and Gruyere, Carrot Cake Cookies, Coconut Cake, Brown Sugar Glazed Ham, Lemon Blueberry Cake, and three more next week. And when I say best of the best, I mean this BLT Pasta Salad recipe! It’s sooooo good – I was eating it for breakfast the next day!

The medley of veggies in this BLT Pasta Salad create a harmonious blend of bright, fresh crunchy textures, complimented by the salty Parmesan and crispy bacon and all married together by tantalizing Lemon Chive Dressing. And if you’ve ever tried lettuce in your pasta salads before – it’s fabulous, so don’t be scared away! A pasta salad recipe is only as good as the dressing and THIS dressing is everything. I am obsessed. So obsessed, I already have plans to make a Parmesan version for my upcoming Creamy Bacon Pea Pasta Salad. The dressing is lusciously creamy so it envelops your pasta and veggies beautifully and is infused with oregano, parsley, chives and most importantly, lemon juice and lemon zest. It’s vibrant and tangy and makes the BLT Pasta Salad dance with deliciousness. This BLT Pasta Salad recipe is pretty straightforward but I’ve included some tips and tricks to make your life easier and your BLT Pasta Salad the best ever.

HELPFUL TIPS HOW TO MAKE BLT PASTA SALAD

I like to use mini bowtie/farfalle pasta like in my Cowboy Pasta Salad but any medium pasta will work well. If you can’t find mini farfalle then regular is also fine.It is important to not overcook your pasta – you want it al dente so it still has a little bite otherwise the pasta salad will be soggy. We want creamy – not soggy.To stop your pasta from cooking after it’s removed from the heat, rinse and drain it in cold water then drizzle it with a touch of olive oil to keep it from sticking together.

The easiest way to cut asparagus and eliminate the woody stems is to snap them at the ends because they will naturally break apart where the tough ends begin.I like to use the Romaine lettuce closest to the stem as it holds the most refreshing crunch and discard the top flimsy pieces.Make sure you are using petite frozen peas as they taste fresh and almost crunchy vs. mushy.It is essential to use thick-cut bacon in this BLT Pasta Salad recipe so it retains its meaty texture when covered in the creamy dressing.

I love fresh chives in the dressing but if they are too expensive or hard to come by then you can substitute 1 tablespoon dried chives.Unlike vinaigrette dressings, you will want to make sure the pasta is completely cool before mixing in the creamy dressing to ensure the dressing doesn’t separate.Try adding some chicken to turn this into a main course!

How to make BLT Pasta Salad in Advance

You can make the Lemon Chive Dressing up to 24 hours in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you choose to make it this far in advance, you might want to add a little more lemon before tossing as the lemon will mellow over time – just taste first and then make the call.

You can prep all of the BLT Pasta Salad ingredients in advance making this a fabulous make ahead side. Add the pasta, asparagus, peas, bell peppers and cherry tomatoes to a large bowl and toss with half of the dressing once the pasta has cooled (so the dressing doesn’t separate). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Refrigerate the lettuce, bacon and Parmesan separately. When ready to serve, add the lettuce, bacon and Parsley and the remaining dressing and toss until evenly combined.

This BLT Pasta Salad recipe is equally delicious as it is easy which means you have a new side that’s sure to be a hit every time you make it and everywhere you bring it – staring with Easter!

LOOKING FOR MORE PASTA SALAD RECIPES?

Italian Pasta Salad with TortelliniPo’ Boy Shrimp Pasta SaladSouthwest Orzo Salad with Chipotle Honey Lime DressingCreamy Bacon Pea Pasta Salad with Lemon Parmesan DressingGreek Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Feta PestoCubano Pasta Salad with Mojo DressingCaprese Pasta SaladSouthwest Tortellini Salad with Creamy Salsa Dressing