BLT Macaroni Salad (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 ounces elbow macaroni

→ Proteins

02 - 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
04 - 1 cup chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
05 - 1/4 cup chopped green onions
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

→ Dressing

07 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1/2 cup sour cream
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon honey
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Prepare elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water, then set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
03 - Add the cooled macaroni, bacon, cherry tomatoes, chopped lettuce, green onions, and parsley to the bowl. Gently fold to combine.
04 - Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld.
05 - Before serving, stir the salad again. If the dressing appears dry, add a splash of milk or additional mayonnaise. Serve chilled.

# Additional Tips:

01 - For a tangier flavor, increase apple cider vinegar by one tablespoon.
02 - Substitute cherry tomatoes with diced Roma tomatoes if unavailable.
03 - Use light mayonnaise and sour cream to reduce richness.
04 - A vegetarian variation can be achieved by replacing bacon with sun-dried tomatoes or smoked paprika.