BLT Macaroni Salad

**Tinkerbell**'s Note:

My DH always raved about my mom's pasta salad until I found the inspiration for this recipe in TOH June 2002. Now he doesn't like it any other way. I have modified the original recipe over the years & now need to post it here for safe-keeping because the clipping is falling apart. UPDATE: May 2010 - I'd like to add that this recipe has now been tested with gluten free pasta and turkey bacon and was just as delicious as the posted recipe. Keep in mind though that a little extra mayo was needed with the GF pasta. :)

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 2 cups salad macaroni
• 1 bunch green onion , thinly sliced
• 1 large tomato , seeded & diced
• 1 cup celery , diced
• 1 -1 ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ¼-½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 lb bacon

Directions:

1. Boil pasta per package directions, then drain & rinse in cold water.
2. While pasta is cooking, trim most of the fat from the bacon, chop into 1-inch pieces & then panfry til almost crisp; drain on paper towels & set aside.
3. In large bowl, combine mayo, vinegar, salt, pepper, celery, onion & bacon.
4. Gently stir in tomato, & pasta.
5. Cover tightly & refrigerate til serving.
6. *Note: Original recipe reserves bacon to add right before serving. I've done both but usually mix it immediately to save time.

Reviews

[mama smurf]

Cut this down to about 3 servings for DH and I and followed the directions except for adding a little minced carrot and some fresh basil...delicious! DH said "I didn't expect macaroni salad like this but it is really good. Make it again." Thank you. Made for Think Pink October 2010.

[diner524]

Absolutely wonderful macaroni salad!!! I scaled this back to 1/4 of the recipe to have for lunches, but can definitely see bringing the whole amount for parties/holidays. I made the recipe exactly as written and loved the crunch of the celery and bacon and the flavor of the dressing and green onion, just perfect!! I put 1/2 of the bacon in with the pasta, veggies and dressing in the beginning/while chilling and then added the remaining 1/2 just before serving. Thanks for such a great recipe Tink!!! Made for Stars Tag.

[HokiesLady]

Tink - you have such a winner of a recipe here. I could not wait till our neighborhood BBQ to try it so I dished some up and then gobbled it down! This has such great flavors & so simple to prepare. Tastes great right after making but I can see where chilling a bit will be yummy too. I mixed the bacon right in and for the photo topped it a bit with some leftover pieces. Followed everything exactly and this recipe doubles very easily! Made for Zaar Stars tag game!