I’m sorry, okay? I just can’t help myself. I like bacon. It’s who I am. It’s what I do. It’s an integral part of me and I won’t deny it.
The first time I tried this BLT macaroni salad, I really didn’t have high hopes. Macaroni salad should have mayonnaise, eggs, and green olives and that’s about it! That’s the way my mama made it and my mama couldn’t be wrong. Who decided it was okay to add bacon? And tomatoes! In a macaroni salad? Who the heck authorized that?
I am happy to report that bacon and tomatoes in a macaroni salad is actually completely legal and very yummy. (Also, my mama was wrong. Don’t tell her though, okay?)
This would be a perfect side dish for just about any kind of grilled meat. Macaroni salad just screams summer.
To get started, bring a large pan of water to a boil and add one pound of pasta. Cook until al dente or about 8 minutes. (I made this for a big group of people on Easter, so I used an entire pound of pasta. This recipe would be simple to half if you are making it for a smaller crowd, though.) Don’t forget to salt your water.
Grab two medium to large tomatoes and start dicing them up. My tomatoes were on the small side and, I’ll be honest here, it made a difference. The sweet juicy tomatoes really add something to this, so don’t skimp.
Go ahead and chop up two to three bunches of green onions, depending on how much you love green onions. Me? I love them. Add them to the bowl of diced tomatoes along with one cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup white vinegar, salt and pepper. Stir it all up and lick the spoon.
Now fry up around 8 slices of bacon, or more if your husband is a bacon thief like mine. It’s always good to have extra bacon laying around for back up. When the bacon has cooled off a bit, crumble it all up into bite sized pieces.
Drain your pasta and dump it into a large bowl. Chill in the fridge until good and cold. Pour on the mayonnaise mixture and stir it all up. Do a happy dance. Dump the crumbled bacon on top of it all and mix it all up again. Do another happy dance. Take a few bite to make sure it’s properly salted. Repeat the happy dance.
Dump it all into a pretty serving dish, stick a pretty serving spoon in, and garnish it with some pretty green onions.
Oh, and if anyone asks what the “L” stands for in the “BLT” portion of this dish, just stick your tongue out at them and then eat their share. That’ll teach ‘em.
BLT Macaroni Salad
- 1lb. macaroni pasta
- 8 slices bacon
- 2 medium-large tomatoes
- 2-3 bunches of green onions, plus extra for garnish
- 1 cup mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip)
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- salt and pepper, to taste
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add macaroni. Cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and pour into large mixing bowl, chill.
2. Fry 8 slices of bacon and, when cool enough to handle, crumble into bite sized pieces. Set aside.
3. Chop tomatoes and green onions, add to small mixing bowl. Mix in mayonnaise and vinegar. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Pour mayonnaise mixture over macaroni and stir together well. Stir in the crumbled bacon.
5. Serve in a pretty dish with some chopped green onions sprinkled on top. Enjoy!
| Tags: bacon, pasta, side dish 20 comments »
April 18th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Looks yummie!
I don’t like so many mayonaise in my salad so I would substitute that with a home made dressing.
April 18th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Yumm! I could live on bacon and green onions, but my cholesterol would be through the roof and I would have constant onion breath… maybe in my next life.
April 18th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Yum. I made this and I’m eating a bowl right now. I added a big handful of shredded cheese because it just seemed like I should. And you’re totally right about not skimping on the tomatoes- all I had was part of a container of grape tomatoes so I used those. When I get a bite with tomato I’m all OOH! there should be more of these…
April 20th, 2009 at 3:55 am
I was just browsing tastespotting looking for something to eat tonight and bumped into your blog! I love it and this is the perfect dish to make for tonight! Thanks for the inspiration!
April 20th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Oh wow this looks fabulous!! I’m always looking for new takes on classics, and this sounds perfect. My husband would just love it! Thanks!!!
April 20th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Now that’s my kinda macaroni salad! Thanks for the recipe
April 20th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I love this recipe!! I am already dreaming of warmer days (cold in Cincinnati, Ohio today) and a picnic with this salad on the menu!! To me, the bacon really adds to this salad and I can’t wait to try it!!
April 20th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
A BLT macaroni salad sounds great!
April 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Yummy! I will be trying this fo sho!
April 21st, 2009 at 2:05 pm
this post made me smile! Looks like my kind of dish.
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Can you recommend a brand of Mayo that is sweet? I’ve tried Helman’s and didn’t like it. Thanks!
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:08 am
Bacon! Yum! That looks like the best thing to take to a pot luck or an afternoon lunch. What a great recipe!
May 4th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Thanks for the recipe! It was one of the best Mac salads I’ve ever made!!
May 23rd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
[...] Subway in Huntington Beach. I digress though…I woke up this morning, and looked up a nice recipe. Everything from green onions, white vinegar, tomatoes to bacon slices. [...]
July 5th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Tomorrow I’m buying bacon and making this. It sounds lovely and I’ve been looking for a decent macaroni salad.
August 11th, 2009 at 6:52 am
You just saved my ass! My Granny is all mad I’m not making salads for the baby shower I’m hosting and now I can make this one and she’ll stop being so takeoverish.
Thanks Karly!
April 26th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
[...] in Uncategorized I’m sorry, okay? I just can’t help myself. I like bacon. It’s who I am. It’s what I do. It’s an integral part of me and I won’t deny it. via bunsinmyoven.com [...]
May 2nd, 2010 at 8:23 am
[...] in Rachel Matthews I’m sorry, okay? I just can’t help myself. I like bacon. It’s who I am. It’s what I do. It’s an integral part of me and I won’t deny it. via bunsinmyoven.com [...]
May 10th, 2010 at 11:48 am
I make this all the time…its good….increase the amount of bacon, though.
July 15th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
My husband HATES mayo, but loved this salad!! Very yummy, thanks!