Lightened BLT Pasta Salad Delight
Indulge in this appetizing and guilt-free BLT Pasta Salad, a perfect blend of hearty macaroni shells, fresh vegetables, and smoky bacon, all while keeping your Weight Watchers points in check. Each delicious serving is just 3 Points, making it an ideal dish for families looking to enjoy flavorful meals without compromising their health goals. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser that combines the classic flavors of a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich in a refreshing pasta salad form. It’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a satisfying weeknight dinner that everyone will love. Enjoy the delightful textures and tastes while keeping your diet on track!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
large macaroni shells
3 2/3 cups (cooked)
tomatoes
4 cups (cut up)
bacon
4 slices (cooked and crumbled)
lettuce
3 cups (thinly sliced)
sugar
1 teaspoon (none)
cider vinegar
2 teaspoons (none)
fat-free mayonnaise
1/2 cup (none)
light sour cream
1/3 cup (none)
Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon (none)
salt
to taste (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the large macaroni shells according to package instructions. Drain and allow to cool.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni shells with the crumbled bacon, chopped tomatoes, and thinly sliced lettuce. Toss gently to combine.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cider vinegar, fat-free mayonnaise, light sour cream, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4
Drizzle the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture, stirring gently to ensure everything is well-coated.
5
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lightened BLT Pasta Salad Delight?
It is a guilt-free pasta salad that combines the flavors of a classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich with macaroni shells and a creamy dressing.
How many Weight Watchers points is each serving?
Each delicious serving of this pasta salad is just 3 Weight Watchers Points.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 2/3 cups of large macaroni shells, cooked and cooled.
How many cups of tomatoes are needed?
You will need 4 cups of cut-up tomatoes for this recipe.
How should the bacon be prepared?
The recipe requires 4 slices of bacon that have been cooked and crumbled.
What is the required amount of lettuce?
You need 3 cups of thinly sliced lettuce.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing is made of sugar, cider vinegar, fat-free mayonnaise, light sour cream, and Dijon mustard.
How long should the salad be refrigerated before serving?
The salad should be covered and refrigerated for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Can I use a substitute for fat-free mayonnaise?
You can use regular mayonnaise, but it will increase the calorie and Weight Watchers point count.
Is this recipe suitable for potlucks?
Yes, it is a crowd-pleaser and an ideal dish for potlucks, picnics, or family dinners.
What kind of vinegar is used in the dressing?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar.
How much Dijon mustard is included?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Yes, the dressing includes 1 teaspoon of sugar to balance the flavors.
What type of sour cream should I use?
The recipe specifies 1/3 cup of light sour cream.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 11 ingredients including salt and pepper.
How do I season the Lightened BLT Pasta Salad?
You should season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
Should the pasta be warm when mixing with other ingredients?
No, the pasta should be drained and allowed to cool before being combined with the vegetables and dressing.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and is relatively easy to assemble once the pasta and bacon are cooked.
Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
While the recipe focuses on BLT flavors, you can certainly add other fresh vegetables if desired.
How do I ensure the dressing coats everything evenly?
Drizzle the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture and stir gently to ensure all components are well-coated.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is designed to be a satisfying and flavorful weeknight dinner that everyone in the family will love.
How should the lettuce be prepared?
The lettuce should be thinly sliced before being tossed with the other ingredients.
What makes this pasta salad 'lightened'?
It uses fat-free mayonnaise, light sour cream, and a high ratio of fresh vegetables to keep the point count low.
Can this be served as a main dish?
Yes, it can be served as a satisfying weeknight dinner or as a side dish.
How should I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, but for the best texture, you may want to add the lettuce just before serving to keep it crisp.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include weight watchers, pasta salad, BLT, low calorie, family-friendly, healthy recipe, quick meal, and potluck.
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes, while large macaroni shells are suggested, other medium pasta shapes like rotini or penne could work.
Is this recipe refreshing for summer?
Yes, it is described as a refreshing pasta salad that is perfect for picnics and chilled serving.
How do I combine the dressing ingredients?
Whisk the sugar, vinegar, mayo, sour cream, and mustard in a separate bowl until the mixture is smooth.