BLT Pasta Salad

This delicious BLT Pasta Salad is the perfect combination of classic BLT flavors and a creamy pasta salad.

Ingredients

For the spread: – 3 oz soft cream cheese – 1/4 cup soft butter – 1/4 cup kalamata olives  – 1/3 cup chopped roasted red bell pepper For the sandwich: – 1 rectangular loaf ciabatta – 1/2 cup fresh basil – 4 large lettuce leaves – 1/4 pound thinly sliced deli smoked turkey – 1/4 pound thinly sliced deli baked ham – 1/4 pound thinly sliced sopressata Italian salami or salami – 6 (3/4-oz) slices provolone cheese

Place your chopping board and cut the previously washed tomato into small cubes together with the avocado and the onion. Wash the lettuce and cut it into stripes. Shred the cheddar and leave it aside for later.

In a pot over medium heat pour some water and bring it to boil. Add the salt in the water and when the water starts boiling add the pasta. Cook the pasta for around 10 minutes or follow the instructions on the package. While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon until crispy. Reserve the bacon fat. Leave it to cool and dice the bacon.

Make the dressing by combining all the ingredients in a bowl. When the pasta is done, drain it and let it cool a little bit. Then place it in a big bowl together with the previously chopped avocado, tomato, cheddar, onion, lettuce and bacon. Mix it well, add the dressing and mix again until well combined.

When it comes to picnic side dishes, nothing beats a classic BLT pasta salad.