BLT Macaroni Salad

SERVES: 12

COOK TIME: 10 Min

Our BLT Macaroni Salad is a fantastic way to shake up your traditional BLT; we're using flavorful baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, and bacon to make this easy macaroni salad recipe an all new kind of amazing. Whether your favorite part is the creamy texture, the bursts of fresh tomato flavor, or the delicious crunch of bacon, this twisted up deli salad is a recipe we know you're going to love.

What You'll Need

1 pound elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 1/2 cup coarsely chopped baby spinach

What to Do

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and let cool.
In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add pasta and remaining ingredients; mix well, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Mr.Food Test Kitchen Tip!

Just a tip! You may need to add a little extra mayo before serving, if it's a bit drier than you like after refrigeration.
Macaroni salad is a favorite around here! If that's the case in your home, too, you'll want to check out our of Simple Macaroni Salad Recipes!
For more fantastic deli salads, try our "No-Bake" Baked Potato Salad, our Berry Grape Chicken Salad, or our BLT Egg Salad.

Nutritional InformationShow More

Servings Per Recipe: 12

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Calories 238
Calories from Fat 83
Total Fat 9.3g 14 %
Saturated Fat 1.5g 7 %
Trans Fat 0.0g 0 %
Protein 7.2g 14 %

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Cholesterol 12mg 4 %
Sodium 465mg 19 %
Total Carbohydrates 30g 10 %
Dietary Fiber 1.5g 6 %
Sugars 1.4g 0 %

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da 2412932

Apr 13, 2021

Try this Salad with Potatoes instead of Macaroni, It's even Better

rac7431 2877525

Jul 30, 2019

Thanks a bunch!

rac7431 2877525

Jul 27, 2019

Would a little Miracle whip work with this recipe?

Test Kitchen Team

Jul 30, 2019

Yes! You can absolutely use Miracle Whip. Enjoy!

cjmacinnes924 7284 837

Aug 15, 2018

Can you make this a day ahead?

Test Kitchen Team

Aug 16, 2018

Hello! Yes, you can make this a day in advance, but the Test Kitchen recommends adding the bacon and spinach the day of, along with extra mayonnaise because the pasta absorbs mayo so may be a little dry. Enjoy!

Morehouse17

Mar 31, 2018

Boy does that take me back, macaroni salad. My auntie would make this during the summer when we would visit. I never made it for myself but I would enjoy her recipe and often told her that. I like the BLT version. I just may have to try this and send her the recipe as well.

Delphine Bryant

Mar 31, 2018

When my sister went off to college, on her visits home she would often introduce us to something new. Macaroni Salad was one of those new things she introduced to the family. I like this version and I can not wait to try it.

paulapgha 6983712

May 17, 2017

I love this salad and it tastes just like a BLT. I've made it for my workplace four times now because everyone loves it and they have asked for the recipe. I've even sent it up North to relatives that love pasta salads. You can't go wrong with this. I always double the recipe because I'm usually feeding that many and if there is any leftovers from one day to the next - it tastes even better. Enjoy!

aschafer0130 04903 20

Apr 08, 2017

Living in S Fla, I'm always looking for cold pasta salad recipes. This one is my new July 4th salad, beating out even my pineapple macaroni salad lol. Thanks bunches.

Critter13

Jul 27, 2016

Could you use head lettuce in place of the spinach?

Test Kitchen Team

Jul 28, 2016

Hi there, the only substitute that we recommend for the spinach in this recipe is Romaine lettuce because head lettuce will not hold correctly. Enjoy!

racxray806 5575843

Jul 27, 2016

Nothing better than a BLT either as a salad or sandwich. I must give this a try.

Purrbaby

Jul 16, 2016

Thanks for this recipe. It really did have the taste of a BLT. My Dad is having radiation and this hot summer is really getting to him. This was just the thing he needed to keep him cool and I loved the added spinach. Thanks again. -)

lucretia1010 96337 22

Apr 07, 2016

This has nothing to do with the recipes but I can't find anyplace on here to send a message other that here,,,our local station doesn't have your program on anymore and I miss it although I do get the emails daily, I still miss the program. Is there anything we can do??

Test Kitchen Team

Apr 08, 2016

Hi there! Thanks for your comment! You can always select the "Contact Us" button at the bottom of each webpage, or on Facebook we are "Mr. Food Test Kitchen." What city and state are you in? Let us know and we can always look into it. You can also call your local news station were you used to watch our show and request that they bring it back. Thanks! Please let us know if you have any other questions. :)

JeanF

Apr 07, 2016

Did you use mayo or Miracle Whip? Which would be better? Thanks!

Test Kitchen Team

Apr 11, 2016

Hi there! The Test Kitchen used mayonnaise when making this recipe, but we believe that a salad dressing spread such as Miracle Whip would be an equal substitution. Enjoy!

roxanahodge1 39800 44

Sep 27, 2015

I want to try this recipe for a pot luck at work, but I don't have any bacon, I do have bacon bits. I was wondering can I substitute the cooked bacon for bacon bits ? If so how much would I use

Test Kitchen Team

Sep 28, 2015

We suggest substituting 3/4 cup bacon bits for the real thing. :)

gradmaster2004 510 4307

Jul 13, 2015

This is absolutely delicious! I make it according to the recipe and get rave reviews!

Cheryl in Indiana

Jun 25, 2015

This has been my 'go to' summer salad ever since it was first featured on Mr. Food several years ago. It's yummy when prepared strictly according to the recipe, but over the years I've modified it some to suit our tastes. I add 1/4 cup or so of bacon-ranch dressing in addition to the mayo that the recipe calls for, and also add a generous handful or two of finely shredded cheddar and 2 or 3 chopped scallions. This is a fun recipe to use as a jumping-off point if you want to tinker in the kitchen.