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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    BLT Pasta Salad

    Published: Jun 11, 2019 · Modified: Feb 25, 2022 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 675 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article.

    Jump to Recipe
    BLT pasta salad recipe.
    BLT pasta salad recipe.
    BLT pasta salad recipe.

    Your favorite sandwich, the BLT, is here in pasta salad form. Bacon, lettuce, and tomato are tossed in a creamy ranch dressing with rotini pasta to make this flavorful BLT pasta salad.

    Scalloped edge bowl filled with BLT pasta salad.

    Summer is a time for outdoor parties and picnics. This BLT pasta salad is a crowd pleasing side dish to bring along - who doesn't love bacon?

    This pasta salad is loaded with crumbled bacon, red onions, tomatoes, and a creamy homemade ranch dressing. This fun twist on a classic pasta salad is similar to a creamy macaroni salad with a mayonnaise dressing.

    Serve this BLT pasta salad at your next picnic, barbecue, or outdoor party. It's the perfect pairing for burgers, pulled pork, and barbecue ribs!

    Ingredients and substitutions

    Ingredients on a counter top.
    • Pasta - Rotini works best in this recipe, but any medium sized pasta will work in a pinch. Macaroni is another great choice.
    • Lettuce - A sturdy, crisp lettuce works best. Romaine or iceberg are good, easy to find choices.
    • Tomatoes - Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or any in-season diced tomato will work in this recipe.
    • Bacon - Fresh cooked and crumbled bacon will provide the best flavor, but can be substituted with store bought crumbled bacon if needed.
    • Red onion - Adds flavor and color to your salad.
    • Mayonnaise - The base of your dressing.
    • Lemon - Adds a bright, fresh flavor and slightly thins the dressing.
    • Ranch seasoning - Can be store bought or homemade. One 1-ounce packet equals about 2 tablespoons of seasoning.
    Assembling a BLT pasta salad in a red bowl.

    Best served same day

    This BLT pasta salad is best served the same day. Why? This pasta salad contains several delicate ingredients, like lettuce and chopped bacon, which will get soggy over time.

    Once your salad is mixed, your bacon will begin to lose its crispiness.

    Also, lettuce will wilt overnight when coated in dressing. This is why I do not suggest preparing the full salad until the day of serving.

    Make ahead

    If you need to make this pasta salad ahead of time, here are a few tips.

    Combine your pasta, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce in a large bowl, then cover and refrigerate. Store your crumbled bacon separately in another container. In a third container, store your prepared dressing.

    Combine all three containers within a few hours of serving. Your salad will keep for several hours in the refrigerator, so it can be made the morning of an event.

    Close up of BLT pasta salad.

    Best lettuce to use

    I also suggest using a sturdy, crisp lettuce for this recipe, since it's likely to sit in dressing for several hours.

    I used romaine lettuce, but iceberg lettuce is another good choice.

    Anything delicate like arugula or spinach is not recommended (while I love both, they don't work well in this recipe).

    Scalloped edge bowl filled with BLT pasta salad.
    Print Recipe
    4.67 from 3 reviews

    BLT Pasta Salad

    Your favorite sandwich, the BLT, is here in pasta salad form. Bacon, lettuce, and tomato are tossed in a creamy ranch dressing with rotini pasta to make this flavorful BLT Pasta Salad. Perfect for your next picnic or barbecue. 
    Prep Time30 minutes
    Total Time30 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 406kcal
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces rotini pasta, cooked to al dente, drained and cooled
    • 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 1 small red onion, diced
    • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, add cooked rotini, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, onion, and romaine lettuce. Set aside.
    • In a small bowl, add mayonnaise, lemon juice, and ranch seasoning. Whisk until smooth.
    • Pour dressing over pasta salad and toss until evenly coated. Serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Salad is best served within a few hours of preparing.

    Equipment Recommendations

    • Zwilling Pro Chef's Knife
    • Boos Maple Cutting Board
    • Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls
    • Dry Measuring Cups

    Notes

    • Best served same day. If making beforehand, store your pasta, tomato, onion, and lettuce in one container, bacon in a second container, and dressing in a third container. Toss your ingredients together just before serving. The lettuce will wilt and bacon will lose its crispiness if dressed and refrigerated overnight.
    • Ranch seasoning can be homemade or store bought. 2 tablespoons = one 1-ounce packet of store bought ranch seasoning.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 595mg | Potassium: 309mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 4763IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 4mg
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American

    More recipes

    • Tortellini Pasta Salad
    • Classic Pasta Salad
    • Greek Spinach Pasta Salad
    • Southern Macaroni Salad

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Ravioli Casserole
    • Sweet Noodle Kugel
    • Pesto Tortellini
    • Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta

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    1. Erwin Coontz

      October 28, 2019 at 10:55 pm

      I actually liked this article. Now and again I come across content that makes me want to start bloggin myself. Cheers!

      Reply

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    Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

    Hi, I'm Heather of The Toasty Kitchen. I love cooking with real, unfussy ingredients, and I want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

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