BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe (2024)

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posted by Amy Johnsonon June 23, 2021 (updated Dec 17, 2021) 80 comments »

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Randy is here again today to talk about one of his new favoritedishes, thisBLT Macaroni Salad Recipe that I regularly make for picnics and potlucks. There are a fewmacaroni salad recipes we like, but when bacon, baby spinach, and tomatoes get together with pasta, something special happens. I’ll let Randy tell you more about it. Take it away, Randy!

When I think of macaroni salad, I think of eating outdoors. I normally enjoy macaroni salad at picnics or tailgate parties, or church luncheons. It’s easy to make a lot of it at one time, it goes with many different main dishes, it travels well, and it’s so familiar that even picky eaters will scarf it down. What’s more, if you make extra, macaroni salad makes for great leftovers right out of the fridge.

This BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe is everything that’s great about macaroni salad and more. It’s satisfying but not too rich, and it can be a meal in itself. The vegetables are definitely pretty and add color to the salad, but they aren’t just for show. The tomatoes and the greens just taste great together, and they are the perfect compliment to the crispy bacon. There’s a reason BLT sandwiches are so popular.

BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe (2)

I am not always the most polite person around large outdoor spreads of food. That’s because outdoor food spreads involve fried chicken, and there’s almost never enough fried chicken to go around. I do what it takes to make sure I get some prime fried chicken pieces. Sometimes I begin conversations with the person who is closest to the chicken platter right before the dinner bell rings just to claim the best real estate. Or, before the meal, when no one is looking, I conceal one of the chicken plates with a dishtowel. One time I brought a casserole lid from home labeled ‘pickled sardines’ that I used to cover the best-looking fried chicken plate.

The best thing about Amy’s BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe is I don’t need to bully my way to the chicken to eat well. If I get boxed out, and all the legs and wings are gone before I get there, I can still eat something delicious and satisfying. And I can look down my nose at those fried chicken bullies.

Thanks, Randy! Lesson of the day: Don’t get between Randy and the fried chicken unless you have a batch of BLT Macaroni Salad as a backup. Enjoy!

A few BLT Macaroni Salad recipe notes:

  • You can store this homemade BLT macaroni salad in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • The combination of tomatoes, bacon and spinach is definitely the best but the mix in can be slightly switched inf yo don’t have some of the ingredients on hand. You can add cherry tomatoes instead of regular ones; you can use spinach or lettuce.
  • The mayo and sour cream dressing can be mixed with the macaroni the night before and refrigerated that way.
  • Add all your mix-ins a couple of hours or right before serving, if possible, for the best texture and results!

More delicious salad recipes:

  • Cucumber and Tomato Quinoa Salad Recipe
  • Blueberry Watermelon Feta Mint Salad Recipe
  • Avocado Bacon Tomato Spinach Corn Salad

BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe

BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe (4)

BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe

Yield: 16

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Additional Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

A tasty macaroni salad with all the flavors of a BLT.

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 8 pieces of bacon, crumbled
  • 1 cup seeded and diced tomato
  • 1 cup roughly chopped baby spinach

Instructions

  1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain.
  2. Mix together remaining ingredients, and toss with macaroni until combined.
  3. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

Originally published September 26, 2014. Last updated July 28. 2021.

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originally published on June 23, 2021 (last updated Dec 17, 2021)

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BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe (8)

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What began as a place for me to explore and share about my random hobbies and interests, has morphed into mostly sharing recipes — essentially a living, breathing, growing cookbook that is my absolute pleasure to share with you. The recipes here are simple, easy to prepare and nourishing for body and soul. Read more...

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80 comments on “BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe”

  1. Keni FordReply

    Wondering if it would mess w/the taste if I added pecans……

  2. PennyReply

    I agree with the lady that said the amount of Mayo isn’t enough. It seemed a little dry so I just had more to my preferred creaminess

  3. CherylReply

    Best pasta salad ever! I used bow tie pasta instead. It was the hit of our picnic!

    • Amy Johnson

      Great to hear it, Cheryl! Bow tie pasta is one of my favorites.

    • Lori

      absolute hit! added mozzarella pearls, purple onion. splash lemon juice. and 1 pkg restaurant ranch drsng mix!!!

  4. Paula B NorbyReply

    If you fry your bacon first and use the grease in the water you boil the pasta it really tastes yummy!

  5. Sally @ Savory With SoulReply

    Wow! This looks so creamy and AMAZING! Love pasta, love bacon – will have to try this very soon. Will let you know how it goes. On a side note, I just ran across your blog from a Pinterest share of this pasta salad, and I’m now following you too. I’m from Western NC (lived there my first 30 years of life), so definitely can relate to the fried chicken dilemma above (HA!)

    • Amy Johnson

      I hope you enjoy it, Sally!

  6. JoanReply

    I love this recipe! I have made it several times. Over the past yearI made a few changes. I did modify the seasonings, as mine was too salty. One half teaspoon of salt is enough with all that bacon and rice vinegar, which have a lot of salt. I also cut the garlic and black pepper in half. I doubled the baby spinach and nearly doubled the mayo, since it soaks it up after refrigerating. One helpful tip I’ve found for seeding tomatoes is to chop them and then spin them in a salad spinner. It works great to get out the seeds and goo, leaving just chopped tomato. My newest addition is to add one cup of chopped, poached chicken. Now I call this my club Mac salad. Thanks for such a flavorful and inspirational twist on Mac salad!

  7. CherylReply

    What can I substitute for the spinach?

    • Amy Johnson

      I would try romaine or other crispy lettuce.

  8. ElizaReply

    I am OBSESSED with this recipe and I found it a few years ago and I usually bring it to a tailgate for friends before a show or game and it is a HUGE hit!!!!! My family and I also love it and my mom goes crazy for it when I bring some over because I’ve been making it a lot this summer!!!! HEAVENLY!!!! Thank-you for this amazing recipe.

  9. ErinReply

    Hey this recipe is awesome! I added some hidden valley ranch powder to mine and it made it an awesome ranch BLT salad. Thanks for the idea!

Leave a comment »

BLT Macaroni Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is Hawaiian mac salad so good? ›

Best Foods Mayonnaise is the secret ingredient for an amazing Hawaiian macaroni salad – it's a must for a perfectly satisfying, creamy mac salad. Since there's nowhere to hide in such a simple dish, skimping on quality mayonnaise impacts both the flavor and texture of mac salad.

Why isn t my macaroni salad creamy? ›

The key to keeping macaroni salad from drying out is the pasta. If you don't cook it enough, the pasta won't grab on to the dressing and will dry out. If you overcook the pasta, it will be completely soggy and gross. Cook the pasta just right, and your macaroni salad will stay perfectly creamy.

How do you keep macaroni salad from absorbing dressing? ›

Pasta absorbs liquids, because it is made of starch, and starch absorbs water. Tossing the pasta with oil will reduce the absorption, by coating them in a water-repellent layer. Beyond this, the solution is simple: don't drain as much water from the cooked pasta, and add more dressing.

What is the Kim Kardashian salad? ›

Fresh and flavorful, La Scala Salad is a copycat recipe of the famous Italian chopped salad served at La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills. Rumor has it, Kim Kardashian orders this salad often, and for good reason!

Why does my macaroni salad taste bland? ›

Making sure the water is salty enough ensures the macaroni is seasoned through (even after rinsing in cold water) and the salad will not be bland. 2. The noodles weren't sufficiently drained. Let the macaroni drain completely in a colander to ensure the sauce isn't diluted with water.

Why is it called Russian salad? ›

Russian salad was originally called Oliver salad based on the Moscow-based Belgian chef who invented it. During the 20th century, the dish spread throughout Europe and adopted the name Russian salad.

Why is it called Israeli salad? ›

It was adopted by Jewish immigrants to the Levant in the late 19th century, who found the locally grown Kirby cucumbers and tomatoes in popular local salad. It was popularized in the kibbutzim, where the Jewish farmers had local fresh produce at hand. The name Israeli Salad is used mainly outside of Israel.

What is in Walmart deli macaroni salad? ›

INGREDIENTS: Cooked Enriched Macaroni (Semolina Egg Whites, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Mayonnaise (Soybean Oil Water, Egg Yolks, Vinegar, Salt), Water, Sugar Sour Cream (Milk, Cream, Whey, Modified Cornstarch, Guar Gum, Sodium Phosphate, Locust Bean Gum, Sodium Citrate, Carrageenan, ...

Should you rinse macaroni when making macaroni salad? ›

Rinsing your pasta also stops the cooking process, which will ensure that your pasta isn't overcooked and mushy. By washing away the starchy film on the pasta, you're guaranteeing that when you toss the pasta with your other salad components and dressing, the pasta won't stick together or clump.

What are the ingredients in Sally Sherman macaroni salad? ›

Macaroni (Durum Semolina, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin), Hellmann's Mayonnaise (Soybean Oil, Whole Eggs, Vinegar, Water, Egg Yolks, Salt, Sugar, Dextrose, Lemon Juice, Natural Flavors, Calcium Disodium EDTA [Used To Protect Quality]), Sugar, Water, Vinegar, Bell Peppers, Carrots, Onions, ...

How do you make macaroni taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

Why is vinegar added to macaroni salad? ›

As the pasta cools, the vinegar will soak in and every noodle will burst with bright tanginess. After dressing it, you'll get a snap of acid and tons of flavor in every spoonful. You can use this trick on any creamy macaroni salad recipe—just one try will make you a believer.

Should you let pasta cool before adding mayonnaise? ›

While oil-based dressings can be applied even to hot pasta, make sure to let the pasta cool to a warm temperature before mixing in a mayo-based one. Mayonnaise is susceptible to separating, but it can be warmed as long as it's not overheated.

Should you let pasta cool before making pasta salad? ›

My Best Pasta Salad Tips

I find that the higher time range listed on box instructions is usually just about right for pasta salad. Let your pasta cool completely before tossing it with the other ingredients. If it's still warm, the hot pasta will start to cook and wilt the veggies.

What is Hawaiian macaroni made of? ›

In Hawaii, the dish is usually served on a lunch plate with saucy meats and rice. What is in Hawaiian macaroni salad? It's the easiest dish ever: just cooked pasta, grated carrot and onion, a little bit of celery and sliced green onion, and the perfectly sweet, tangy, creamy dressing.

Why is Hawaii food so good? ›

Hawaiian cuisine is a melting pot of flavors because of its native people and those who have traveled to its beaches to work and live. A typical Hawaiian menu includes foods of Polynesian, European, and Asian origins. To celebrate this food diversity, there has also been the recent creation of 'Hawaii regional cuisine.

Why is Hawaiian food healthy? ›

Hotel luaus and tourist photos aside, the traditional Hawaiian diet was low in fat, high in vegetables, and derived the bulk of its calories from complex carbohydrates.

Why is spam so popular in Hawaii? ›

The true root of the island's love for SPAM® products goes back to World War II, when the luncheon meat was served to GIs. By the end of the war, SPAM® products were adopted into local culture, with Fried SPAM® Classic and rice becoming a popular meal.

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