Bacon and Avocado Macaroni Salad

This simple macaroni salad of just three main ingredients comes together so beautifully as they get tossed in an incredibly creamy lemon-thyme dressing. It has such a wonderful burst of fresh flavors with just enough savoriness from the fatty, crisp, salty bacon. 

Ingredients

• 12 ounces elbow pasta
• 5 slices bacon, diced
• 2 avocados, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, for garnish
• For the lemon thyme dressing:
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/3 cup olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

• To make the dressing, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar and thyme in the bowl of a food processor; season with salt and pepper, to taste. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a slow stream until emulsified; set aside.
• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
• In a large bowl, combine pasta, bacon, avocado, lemon-thyme dressing, salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately, garnished with thyme.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 15 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 6