🥓🍅 Mediterranean BLT Pasta Salad
Description
This Mediterranean BLT Pasta Salad reinvents the classic BLT by pairing crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and crisp lettuce with whole-grain pasta, olive oil, and a creamy yogurt-based dressing. It’s lighter than traditional versions, packed with flavor, and perfect for warm weather or make-ahead meals.
🛒 Ingredients
Pasta & Salad
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12 oz (340 g) whole-grain pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)
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6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
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1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
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2 cups romaine or butter lettuce, chopped
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½ small red onion, finely sliced (optional)
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¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Mediterranean Creamy Dressing
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½ cup Greek yogurt
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3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
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1 tbsp lemon juice or red wine vinegar
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1 small garlic clove, grated
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½ tsp Dijon mustard
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Salt & black pepper to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
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Cook the Pasta
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly with cool water. Set aside. -
Prepare Bacon
Cook bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled. -
Make Dressing
In a bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon, salt, and pepper until smooth. -
Assemble Salad
In a large bowl, combine pasta, bacon, tomatoes, onion, and herbs. -
Dress & Toss
Pour dressing over salad and toss gently until evenly coated. -
Add Lettuce Last
Fold in chopped lettuce just before serving to keep it crisp.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
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Serve chilled or at room temperature
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Pair with grilled chicken or fish
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Add sliced avocado or crumbled feta for extra Mediterranean flavor
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! Prepare everything except lettuce and add it just before serving.
Q: Can I make it lighter?
A: Use turkey bacon and reduce olive oil slightly.
Q: Is this good for meal prep?
A: Absolutely — it keeps well in the fridge for 3 days.
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
A: Skip bacon and add roasted chickpeas or olives.
Q: What pasta works best?
A: Short shapes like rotini, penne, or farfalle hold the dressing best.
