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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Salad / BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Published: Aug 19, 2019 · Modified: Apr 22, 2023 by Anna 57 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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BLT Pasta Salad is a delicious Summer pasta salad idea! Bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes with farfalle pasta and creamy dressing (no mayo option too!) are like your favorite BLT sandwich toppings in a bowl.

It's officially Summer pasta salad time! One of our favorite salads is my Dill Pickle Potato Salad. It's perfect for picnics too! Also, quick and easy Italian Pasta Salad.

BLT Pasta Salad in large glass bowl.
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Salad
  • Ingredients:
  • How to make BLT Pasta Salad?
  • Helpful Tips!
  • Recipe FAQs:
  • More salad recipes:
  • BLT Pasta Salad recipe

Why You'll Love This Salad

This BLT Pasta Salad has to appear on your table this season. It's all of your favorite BLT sandwich toppings, tossed with cooked farfalle pasta and creamy Ranch dressing. Crazy delicious!

This BLT Pasta Salad is a great option for lunch to work or a trip meal! Crispy bacon (baked in the oven), chopped or torn Romaine lettuce, and chopped tomatoes (I used on-the-vine type but Roma would be good too) are tossed with cooked and cooled pasta and creamy dressing.

Ingredients:

  • pasta: any bite-size pasta works, I used farfalle (aka bow tie);
  • Romaine lettuce: my favorite in this recipe but iceberg works too;
  • tomatoes: use the kind you enjoy the most, on the vine or grape are my favorite;
  • bacon: choose your favorite, turkey works too;
  • red onion: adds great flavor and texture; if you don't like red onion raw, just skip it;
  • Ranch dressing: flavorful base for the dressing;
  • sour cream: optional but recommended; adds tang and creaminess;
  • mayonnaise: a classic ingredient of any BLT sandwich adds that signature flavor to the dressing;
  • apple cider vinegar: basic ingredient of any dressing; adds tang.

How to make BLT Pasta Salad?

My favorite Summer salad is inspired by my favorite sandwich: the BLT. Quick, easy, and perfect for picnics and as a side dish to any grilled meat or BBQ. You will love it!

  • Cook pasta according to the instructions on the box. Drain, and rinse with cold water. Set aside. Place salad ingredients in a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad. Toss gently to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve or serve right away.

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Overhead shot of ingredients for pasta salad in glass bowl.

Helpful Tips!

  • Whenever I make a salad for my family, I always add red onion. It's our favorite and adds great flavor and texture to the dish. Feel free to skip it if you are not a fan of onions.
  • Any type of bite-size pasta will work here. I like the look of Farfalle but Rotini will be awesome as well. If you are missing bread, add croutons!
  • If you need a mayo substitute, replace it with sour cream or Ranch. Just make sure you have about ¾ cup of the creamy mixture to toss the salad with. It's the perfect amount in my opinion.

Recipe FAQs:

How long does this pasta salad keep in the fridge?

Since we are using fresh lettuce in this pasta salad, it is best to use it up the same day you make it. If you need to take it somewhere (a potluck or a gathering), I recommend keeping the chopped salad in a separate container and combine with the pasta salad upon your arrival.

Can I make it ahead of time?

To make this pasta salad in advance, prep all ingredients, except lettuce, and make the dressing to store in a jar or a bottle. This prevents lettuce from wilting. Assemble the salad before serving for the best texture and flavor!

Overhead shot of BLT pasta salad on white plate, with fork on side.

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If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!

BLT Pasta Salad in large glass bowl.

BLT Pasta Salad recipe

Author: Anna
BLT Pasta Salad is a delicious Summer pasta salad idea! Bacon, lettuce and tomatoes with farfalle pasta and creamy dressing (mayo-free option too!) is like your favorite BLT sandwich toppings in a bowl.
4.91 from 60 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 7 minutes mins
Total Time 17 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 287 kcal
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Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups uncooked farfalle pasta
  • 4 cups chopped or torn Romaine lettuce
  • 1 ½ cup chopped tomatoes
  • 4 slices bacon cooked to crispy, chopped
  • ½ cup chopped red onion

!for the dressing:

  • ¼ cup Ranch dressing
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to instructions on the box. Drain, rinse with cold water. Set aside.
    2 cups uncooked farfalle pasta
  • Place salad ingredients in a large bowl.
    4 cups chopped or torn Romaine lettuce, 1 ½ cup chopped tomatoes, 4 slices bacon, ½ cup chopped red onion
  • In a small bowl, stir together dressing ingredients. Pour over salad. Toss gently to coat.
    ¼ cup Ranch dressing, ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve or serve right away.

Video

Notes

  • You can use any bite-size pasta you like. Rotini is a fantastic option!
  • Feel free to skip the onion, if you are not a fan.
  • For a mayo-free option, replace mayonnaise with more sour cream or Ranch dressing. Just make sure to make ¾ cup of mixture. You can also use healthier options, like avocado mayo.
  • Feel free to use more bacon!
  • I used on-the-vine tomatoes for this salad. Roma is another great option. You can also use cherry tomatoes.
  • You can use white vinegar but I highly recommend apple cider vinegar in cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 287kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 363mg | Potassium: 303mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2860IU | Vitamin C: 8.2mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1.3mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.91 from 60 votes (25 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Jola says

    August 28, 2024 at 10:23 am

    5 stars
    This is one of the more frequently prepared salads for the party. Everyone likes it

    Reply
  2. Tina says

    August 08, 2024 at 7:10 pm

    5 stars
    I make it for my friends when they come up here to visit almost every time and they love it. Everybody loves it.

    Reply
  3. Jane says

    August 09, 2023 at 2:42 pm

    5 stars
    My husband loved this salad. I thought it needed a little more punch with seasoning but I don't know what. I will definitely make it again.

    Reply
  4. Sue says

    April 30, 2023 at 11:07 am

    5 stars
    Made this for my lunch for the week! Just cut up the lettuce and stored in separate bag then added it each day. Some days added a bit of shredded cheese. Nice and fresh! Great salad

    Reply
  5. Linda says

    July 20, 2022 at 7:01 pm

    Enjoy making and eating this salad often!! Just curious, why do we add vinegar?

    Reply
  6. Mollie says

    June 20, 2022 at 8:29 pm

    5 stars
    Soooo good....I made it for just myself , so I only added half the lettuce to half the pasta mix and dressed dressed that portion. I saved the remainder in separate containers so the lettuce wouldn't become wilted over night. It was just as good, if not better, the next serving!

    Reply
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