BLT Macaroni Salad

This stunningly delicious BLT Macaroni Salad is entirely vegan and gluten free. With a vegan bacon made from tempeh, it’s a winning combination for everyone.

If you’re looking for easy Pasta Recipes like this Southwest Pasta Salad with Spicy Garlic Dressing or Vegetarian Fajita Pasta, this is the place for you.

Also right now we are all enjoying summer, right? We’re are in the middle of a heat wave!

For me summer that means long lush nights with BBQ’s, potlucks, picnics, or beach hangouts.

Can you see and feel my excitement?

Good food should always be included. No matter where you’re and in which direction all your summer adventures might go.

Today I bring you something you will be munching on soon.

A big bowl of this BLT Macaroni Salad. It’s hearty, creamy, flavorful, addictive, a modern take on a classic dish, simple, approachable.

Yet impressive, perfect to bring to any potluck, BBQ and for so much more. Seriously a thing all year long not only in spring or summer.

What is BLT

BLT is a classic type of dish that you can have as sandwich, or like here as a pasta salad.

It’s B for bacon, L for lettuce, and T for tomato. So thanks to the bacon, that isn’t plant based.

And since it’s often served with a ranch sauce made from mayonnaise, it isn’t dairy free either.

The bacon will often be fried. This gives it the crunchy touch, while the bacon fat adds flavor.

You get it, we do something different. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t as delicious as the classic dish.

 

I made a tasty and really amazing roasted garlic dressing.

You can make it ahead. It’s so good for meal prep. 

Be brave not to drink the dressing straight from the jar.

It’s dangerously delicious and so satisfying. Set aside, store in the fridge until used.

How to make vegan bacon

All you need to do is mix small (really small) tempeh cubes with liquid smoke, season with salt and pepper. And now you’re already good to go.

How to prepare tempeh?

You have 2 options to prepare your tempeh bacon. You can use a small sauce pan, and heat a bit oil or vegetable broth.

Fry the tempeh for around 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your pan.

Alternatively, you can bake the cubes for 10 minutes on a baking sheet at 410°F.

How to make BLT Macaroni Salad

It’s done in no time. Cook your macaroni according the package directions. This will vary a bit based on the used brand. Let it cool or chill with cold water.

Next, combine the pasta, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and vegan bacon in a big bowl mix with the dressing.

Divide into plates or bowls, enjoy.

This makes an amazing dinner, lunch, potluck or BBQ side dish, which will complete almost every meal from burgers, grilled corn on the cob to portobello steaks.

Is tempeh healthy

By using tempeh this BLT Macaroni Salad is also protein rich. Among other things it’s also high in manganese, iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

But at the same time low in sodium, carbs and fat.

Voila, friends! Which other bacon can do this? See, it’s a keeper!

If you give this BLT Macaroni Salad a try, share your results and remakes with a tag on Instagram or Facebook.

Cheers, Florian.