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a close up of blt pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon
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BLT pasta salad

BLT pasta salad is a warm and hearty dinner or potluck dish you'll love sharing. Tired of marinara and spaghetti or fettuccine alfredo? Try a BLT! 
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 5 people
Calories 359kcal
Author Rachel Ballard

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces bacon diced into about 1/4 pieces (or as close as you can get it)
  • 1/2 pound cavatappi or any other short pasta 1/2 box
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 3 cups fresh arugula mixed greens or baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese none of that powdered stuff!
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup water left over from cooking the pasta

Instructions

  • Bring about 2 quarts of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon salt. Add the pasta and cook until just tender--about 11 minutes (check your box).
  • Meanwhile:
  • In a non stick pan, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain.
  • Remove all the grease from the pan but 2 tablespoons.
  • Add the garlic and the tomatoes and sauté until just softened, about 2 minutes.
  • When the pasta is cooked, transfer it to the tomatoes and garlic, add the bacon back in and add the arugula or lettuce of your choice. Sprinkle on the salt, pepper, parmesan and the pasta water and toss to combine. Serve warm or room temperature, but not cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 511mg | Potassium: 291mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 522IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 1mg