BLT Pasta Salad
on Jun 22, 2020, Updated Jan 29, 2024
BLT pasta salad combines classic sandwich flavors with tender pasta for a filling meal. Make this recipe today for an easy dinner or potluck dish!
Pasta salad is the perfect summertime meal because it’s easy to make, doesn’t heat up your kitchen, and it can be made ahead of time.
Just boil some noodles, mix them with a variety of fresh ingredients, and toss with a simple dressing for extra flavor.
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This particular recipe is inspired by the popular BLT sandwich, which stands for bacon, lettuce, and tomato.
What makes this dish stand out is the creamy dressing that coats every bite. Plus, it has a bit of a kick from an extra dash of hot sauce.
If you like the flavors of this BLT Pasta Salad, try my Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – it has bacon, cheese, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing.
Or, try one of these other pasta salad recipes:
How to make BLT pasta salad
Simply combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. It’s ready to eat in just 10 minutes!
INGREDIENTS
- Pasta, cooked and drained
- Bacon, cooked and chopped
- Romaine lettuce, shredded
- Red onion, diced
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Cherry tomatoes, quartered
Pasta salad dressing
- Mayonaisse
- Ranch dressing
- Hot Sauce
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
First, you’ll need to cook the pasta and bacon.
Cut up the red onion and tomatoes, then shred the cheese by hand.
Rinse the lettuce with cool water to remove any dirt and grime. Cut off the roots and remove any damaged outer leaves, then use a sharp knife to cut across the lettuce, making long thin pieces.
You can also cut the lettuce first and run through a salad spinner to clean. Either way, pat dry with a paper towel.
Then, place all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
Next, whisk together the pasta salad dressing ingredients. Add freshly ground black pepper if you’d like.
TIP: Use a measuring cup so it’s easier to pour over the pasta salad.
Pour the dressing over the bowl and stir everything together until well combined.
RECIPE NOTES
- Pasta: Cook the noodles according to the package directions, then drain. Let the pasta cool before combining with the other ingredients.
- Bacon: It’s easiest to chop the strips into small pieces and cook them in a pan on the stove until crispy. Drain on a plate lined with a paper towel to remove any excess grease.
- Shredded cheese: Always buy fresh and shred your own – bagged shreds have a preservative that gives them an unpleasant waxy texture.
Q&A
How long will it last in the refrigerator?
Pasta salad typically lasts up to a week in the refrigerator, which makes it a great make-ahead dish. The longer it sits, the better it gets since the flavors have more time to combine.
However, since this recipe contains lettuce, it’s best to eat it immediately. The lettuce will start to wilt quickly.
If you need it to last longer, wait to add the lettuce until just before serving. You can still chop it ahead of time, just store it in a separate container in the refrigerator.
What kinds of pasta work best in this recipe?
Any short pasta shape will hold up well in this dish. Some good options are:
- Rotini
- Farfalle (bowtie)
- Penne
- Fusilli
Can I add or substitute other ingredients?
Sure! Since this recipe is so simple, you can experiment with different flavors and textures to make it just how you’d like. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Pasta – Try using cheese-filled tortellini, gluten-free pasta, or even veggie-based noodles.
- Lettuce – You can easily replace this with iceberg, green leaf lettuce, or baby spinach.
- More protein – Make this meal even heartier by mixing in cooked chicken or shrimp.
- Add more green – Avocado, green onion, or bell pepper would taste great in this dish. Mix in the avocado just before serving, otherwise it will start to brown.
- Different cheeses – Substitute the cheddar with Swiss, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan.
- Extra crunch – If you’re missing the bread, add some of your favorite croutons.
BLT Pasta Salad
BLT pasta salad combines classic sandwich flavors with tender pasta for a filling meal. Make this recipe today for an easy dinner or potluck dish!
Ingredients
- 2 cup Romaine Lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 medium Red Onion, diced
- 2 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 10 oz Cherry Tomatoes, quartered
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup Ranch
- 1 tsp Hot Sauce
- 12 slices Bacon, cooked and chopped
- 12 oz Pasta, cooked and drained
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, onion, pasta, bacon, tomatoes and cheese.
- In a small bowl whisk together ranch, mayonnaise and hot sauce.
- Add black pepper to taste.
- Add dressing to large bowl and toss to coat.
Nutrition
Calories: 625kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 45g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 65mg, Sodium: 752mg, Potassium: 318mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1510IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 231mg, Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
I made this salad with a few changes like used lettuce on hand(Iceberg) used Roma 🍅 cut up small. All changes were because of me living alone. Used only 7oz smaller noodle. I 💘 it and will make this often to share with family and friends. Thank you