BLT Pasta Salad
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Posted: 05/19/25
Updated: 05/20/25
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BLT Pasta Salad is a delicious twist on the classic sandwich, combining crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, fresh lettuce, and tender pasta tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing.
Everyone loves a pasta salad and this BLT pasta salad recipe is going straight to the top of your list. Make this creamy pasta salad for potlucks, cookouts or just keep it in the fridge for an easy weekday lunch. I especially can’t wait for tomato season, I will be making this non-stop!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This dish is everyone’s favorite sandwich tossed in pasta. Need I say more?
- Prepare this a day ahead so the flavors can really meld together and make for easier prep the day of your get together.
- This flavorful BLT salad can be eaten as a side or a full meal on its own.
Ingredients for BLT Pasta Salad
- Pasta – Rotini, penne and bowtie are the types of pasta I recommend for any pasta salad. Sauce sticks into the grooves of these short noodles making every bite super flavorful.
- Mayonnaise – Use full fat for the best flavor.
- Ranch dressing – Your favorite storebought ranch is all you need. You can also try making homemade ranch dressing.
- Salt and ground black pepper – Seasoning is key in any recipe!
- Cherry tomatoes – Halved tomatoes hold up well in any pasta salad. You can swap these out for grape tomatoes, too.
- Cheddar cheese – Shredded cheese mixes the best in a salad. Cheddar is our household favorite but you can switch it up for mozzarella or any other cheese you love to shred.
- Red onion – Diced onion adds a little kick to this pasta salad. You can substitute yellow or white onion if you prefer their flavor.
- Romaine lettuce – Romaine is a nice hearty lettuce that will hold it’s own in a pasta salad. You can also shred iceberg lettuce for this salad.
- Bacon – Cooked, crumbled bacon is the star of the show. Use your favorite cut of bacon, thin or thick. In a pinch, use storebought bacon crumble. You can also chop up some turkey bacon if that is your preference.
- Fresh parsley – This is an optional garnish, but fresh chopped parsley adds beautiful color and flavor.
Helpful Tools
- Large bowl with lid – Mixing bowls that come with lids rather than using plastic wrap are easier to store in the fridge. You can easily stack them to make the most of your fridge space plus they are easy to transport if you are bringing this salad to a potluck.
How To Make BLT Pasta Salad
- Prepare pasta according to package directions. Rinse under cold water.
- Whisk together mayo, ranch, pepper and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Fold pasta, tomatoes, cheese and red onion into the dressing.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours or overnight.
- Add the bacon and lettuce and toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips
- Add a little extra protein to your BLT pasta salad and make it a full meal with leftover chicken.
- Cook your bacon and pasta ahead of time when you do your meal prep so all you have to do is make dressing and mix in the salad ingredients.
- This is a versatile dish so add extra toppings like avocado or leave some ingredients out completely or put them on the side.
Can I Make BLT Pasta Salad Ahead of Time?
You can definitely make BLT pasta salad ahead of time. It needs to sit in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours but you can make it a day ahead and save yourself some time when you’re expecting company.
Storage
BLT pasta salad, like any pasta salad, is best if it is eaten within a day but if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If possible, store lettuce separately and add it to when ready to serve. You may need to add a little more mayo and ranch dressing if it dries up a bit in the fridge.
This pasta salad twist on the classic BLT sandwich is just what you need to have ready to go in the fridge for an easy side dish tonight. Leftovers keep well for lunch, too!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
This BLT Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, loaded with crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and pasta all tossed in a creamy, flavorful dressing.
Video
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup ranch dressing
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- ¼ cup red onion diced
- 1 cup romaine lettuce chopped
- 10 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- fresh parsley chopped for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain off water and rinse under cold water.
- While pasta is cooking, whisk together mayonnaise, ranch dressing, pepper and salt in a large mixing bowl until combined.
- Fold the cooked pasta, tomatoes, cheese, and red onion into the dressing mixture.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours or overnight.
- Add the bacon and lettuce and stir to combine. Serve immediately.
Tips
BLT pasta salad, like any pasta salad, is best if it is eaten within a day but if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If possible, store lettuce separately and add it to when ready to serve. You may need to add a little more mayo and ranch dressing if it dries up a bit in the fridge.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 532kcal (27%), Carbohydrates: 36g (12%), Protein: 13g (26%), Fat: 37g (57%), Saturated Fat: 10g (63%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 44mg (15%), Sodium: 719mg (31%), Potassium: 282mg (8%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 4g (4%), Vitamin A: 864IU (17%), Vitamin C: 9mg (11%), Calcium: 125mg (13%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
How To Serve BLT Pasta Salad
BLT pasta salad is seriously the best side dish when you are grilling chicken or ribs. In our house, a family favorite side veggie to eat with this pasta salad is pan fried asparagus.
This is a hearty pasta salad to use for lunches throughout the week, too. Prep everything ahead of time then add bacon, lettuce and dressing in the morning.
More Great Pasta Salads
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is bound to be a cookout staple for your family. Pantry staples combine to make this creamy dish with peas, bacon and shredded carrots.
- Pearl mozzarella and Italian dressing really elevate the flavor of your favorite storebought tortellini in this filling Tortellini Pasta Salad.
- Everyone goes crazy over everything ‘dill pickle’ so why not add Dill Pickle Pasta Salad to your menu for your next cookout. Crunchy dill pickles, bacon crumble, cheddar cheese and more, it will be the hit of the meal!
- Looking to switch up your regular pasta salad recipe? Cashew Chicken Rotini Salad is a unique pasta salad you’ve got to try the next time you host a potluck. Chicken, grapes, cashews and cranberries work together to make every bite better than the last.
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