Creamy Bacon, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe
A creamy, delicious cold pasta salad with bacon, avocado, small tomatoes, and curly pasta. Perfect side dish for any meal!
Creamy Bacon, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad
A creamy, delicious pasta salad is without a doubt one of my favorite side dishes to enjoy during the Summer.
Why Pasta Salads Are the Perfect Side Dish
Pasta salads earn their reputation as the perfect side dish for several reasons. Firstly, their versatility allows for endless variations to suit any taste or occasion. Whether you crave a refreshing summer side or a heartier complement to a winter meal, pasta salads can be customized with a variety of ingredients.
Secondly, the convenience factor is unbeatable. Pasta salads can be made in advance, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, saving you time on the day of your gathering. This also makes them an ideal option for picnics, potlucks, or any event where a hassle-free dish is appreciated.
Thirdly, the diverse textures and flavors within a pasta salad—crisp vegetables, tender pasta, savory proteins, and zesty dressings—create a satisfying and well-balanced bite. This medley of tastes and textures makes pasta salads a crowd-pleaser, appealing to a wide range of palates.
Lastly, pasta salads are a fantastic vehicle for showcasing seasonal ingredients. From vibrant summer tomatoes to hearty winter root vegetables, you can tailor your pasta salad to highlight the best produce each season has to offer.
In summary, pasta salads check all the boxes: they’re adaptable, convenient, crowd-pleasing, and a canvas for showcasing the freshest flavors of the season. It’s no wonder they hold a cherished spot as the perfect side dish for countless occasions.
Tips for Making Bacon & Tomato Pasta Salad
There are a couple of steps that I would recommend not skipping while preparing this recipe.
1. The first tip is to be sure to rinse the cooked pasta with cold water.
This is important when making cold pasta salads. Rinsing with very cold water stops the cooking process. I’m not a cooking expert but it also seemed to help in keeping the pasta from sticking to itself as well.
2. The second tip is to add 1 tbsp of lemon juice to the diced tomatoes and stir gently before adding to the pasta salad.
This helped greatly in preventing my avocados from turning brown after it has been in the fridge for a day or two.
3. Finally, use thick, quality bacon if you can and look for ripe, flavorful tomatoes for the best results.
Ingredients for Bacon, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad
- 12 slices bacon
- 16 oz. box curly pasta Use whatever style you like best
- 1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice + 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried dill or 1 Tbsp. fresh dill, chopped
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups of small red, orange or yellow tomatoes (like cherry, sun gold, or sun sugar)
- 2 ripe avocados pitted and diced
Equipment for Bacon, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad
Get and Print the Recipe
Creamy Bacon, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 slices bacon
- 16 oz. box curly pasta, Use whatever style you like best
- 1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice + 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried dill, or 1 Tbsp. fresh dill, chopped
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups of small red, orange or yellow tomatoes (like cherry, sun gold, or sun sugar))
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted and diced
Instructions
- Cut bacon into bite sized pieces. This works a bit easier if it is very cold. Cook bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Strain. Run cold water over the top until the pasta is cooled.
- While your bacon and pasta are cooking, whisk mayonnaise, 3 Tbsp. lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, pepper and dill together in a bowl. In separate small bowl, add the diced avocados with 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and stir gently to mix.
- Stir cooled pasta, diced tomatoes, and reserved bacon into the dressing. Toss to combine. Add the avocado last and gently mix together. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
6 Comments on “Creamy Bacon, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe”
That looks delicious!
Thanks so much!
Oh wow this looks and sounds delicious!
Thanks for the recipe.
Thanks for stopping by! It’s a great recipe for parties or gatherings. 🙂
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