This BLT Pasta Salad is a delicious spin on the traditional BLT sandwich. You’ll love the way the pasta, bacon, veggies, and dressing taste in this amazing dish.
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Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I love this BLT Pasta Salad because it’s simple, flavorful, and the perfect summer salad to bring to any barbecue or party. This dish is a spin on the classic sandwich that you won’t want to miss.
- TASTE: Savory, sweet, and tangy, this delicious BLT Pasta Salad has all the best flavors. The mayo-ranch dressing is so tasty.
- TEXTURE: This salad combines all the best parts of a classic BLT – crispy bacon, crunchy lettuce, juicy tomato, and rich mayo – with al dente rotini pasta and ranch.
- TIME: It only takes 17 minutes to make.
- EASE: With simple ingredients and easy preparation, you can make this salad quickly whenever the urge strikes.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta- I used rotini pasta, but you can use any small sized pasta for this dish.
- Mayonnaise and Ranch- These make up the dressing and are rich, creamy, and tangy.
- Lettuce- I like romaine for my salad, but you can also use other types.
- Tomatoes- Roma, cherry, or grape tomatoes are great.
- Bacon- Thick cut or thin cut works.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add some more protein- To make it more filling, consider adding cubed chicken, chopped hard-boiled egg, or tofu.
- Add other vegetables- Add some bell peppers, celery, carrots, or spinach to this salad.
- Try another dressing- If you prefer other dressings, like Caesar, 1000 island, or a vinaigrette, then give them a try.
How to Make BLT Pasta Salad
- Cook the bacon. You can cook the bacon in a pan or in an air fryer. Once it’s crispy, cut it into tiny pieces and place it in a large bowl.
- Chop the veggies. Chop the tomatoes, lettuce, and onion. Put them in the bowl with the bacon.
- Cook the pasta. Prepare the rotini according to the package directions and then rinse it with cold water. Drain and add to the salad.
- Make the dressing. Whisk together the mayonnaise and ranch in a small bowl.
- Dress the BLT pasta salad. Drizzle the dressing over the other ingredients and toss it. Serve.
Pro Tip: For best taste and texture, serve this salad immediately after dressing it.
Recipe Tips
- Chop the vegetables uniformly- Cut the veggies about the same size so none of them overpower the dish. Small tomatoes can be sliced in half.
- Make the bacon crispy- Crispy bacon is delicious in this BLT Pasta Salad because it will avoid getting mealy with the juices of the tomatoes and dressing.
- Cook the pasta al dente- To make sure the pasta isn’t mushy, cook it al dente so there is some good chew to it.
- Use a pasta that has ridges- I like rotini for this dish because it easily catches the dressing and bits of bacon and veggies in the grooves for easier eating.
FAQs
The best types of lettuce are romaine and iceberg. Both are crisp and hold onto their crunch even with dressing. Romaine has more health benefits, while iceberg is crunchier. But both work great in this BLT pasta salad.
A mayonnaise-based ranch dressing goes best because it is similar to what is normally on a BLT. The sweet and tangy creaminess really offset the savory bacon and vegetables. But you can try other dressings if you like.
Serving Suggestions
This BLT Pasta Salad recipe is savory, creamy, and so delicious. Serve this side dish with meats for a more filling meal, other salads for a potluck, or with bread and pizza to round out the meal.
- Meats: Serve this salad with Smoked Pork Chops, Ribeye Steak, Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, or Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast.
- Salads: Pair this pasta salad with a Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad, Pesto Pasta Salad (VIDEO), Broccoli Cranberry Salad, or Tri Color Pasta Salad (VIDEO).
- Breads: Enjoy it with Focaccia Bread, Sourdough Bread, Rustic Bread (overnight), or Brioche Buns (VIDEO).
- Pizza: Serve it with a slice of Margherita Pizza, Chicken Pesto Pizza, Mushroom Arugula Flatbread Pizza, or Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread Pizza.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can cook the bacon and the pasta and store them in the fridge in an airtight container for the next day. Assemble the salad and serve immediately.
Storing: This BLT Pasta Salad is best enjoyed the same day as it’s made. It just won’t be the same the next day, especially the lettuce, once it’s sat in the dressing, so serve immediately.
Freeze: It’s best not to freeze this salad as it will not defrost with the same texture.
More Scrumptious Pasta Salads!
Full Recipe Instructions
BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 1/2 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise 
Instructions
- Now chop the lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. Then place them in A large bowl along with the chopped bacon. 
- Make the dressing by combining the ranch and mayonnaise together with a whisk.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and give them a good throw toss. Served immediately for optimal crispiness and crunchiness. 
Notes
Nutrition
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