Oh heck yes 😍 BLT Macaroni Salad — creamy, smoky, fresh, and perfect for potlucks, cookouts, or “I’ll just have one more scoop” situations.
Here’s a classic, crowd-pleasing version that never lets you down.
🥓🥬🍅 BLT Macaroni Salad
Ingredients (serves 6–8)
Salad
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12 oz elbow macaroni
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8–10 slices bacon, cooked crispy & crumbled
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1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
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2 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
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½ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
Dressing
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¾ cup mayonnaise
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¼ cup sour cream (or more mayo)
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1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
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1 tsp sugar
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½ tsp garlic powder
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Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cook pasta in well-salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
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Mix dressing in a large bowl until smooth.
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Add cooled pasta, bacon, tomatoes, onion, and gently toss to coat.
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Chill for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
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Right before serving, fold in the chopped lettuce (keeps it crisp).
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Taste and adjust seasoning.
🔥 Pro Tips
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Add lettuce last minute so it doesn’t wilt
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Extra bacon never hurts — measure with your heart
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If it thickens too much, loosen with a splash of milk or pickle juice
Variations
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🧀 Add shredded cheddar or pepper jack
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🥑 Toss in avocado right before serving
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🌶️ Add a pinch of cayenne or chopped jalapeños
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🥒 Swap lettuce for chopped cucumber for crunch
Make-Ahead Hack
Prep everything except lettuce up to 24 hours ahead. Stir in lettuce just before serving and boom — fresh as ever.
If you want, I can make a lighter yogurt-based version, a keto BLT “pasta” salad, or a picnic-safe version that holds up in heat