BLT Pasta Salad
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This BLT Pasta Salad recipe is ready to dazzle your taste buds and wow your guests. It offers a delightful twist on the classic BLT.
Made with crispy lettuce, sweet cherry tomatoes, and bacon, combined with a creamy ranch dressing, it’s a refreshing, flavorful, and hearty option perfect for any occasion, from a simple dinner to a potluck side dish.
Introducing the Ultimate BLT Pasta Salad
Imagine combining the crisp, smoky goodness of a BLT sandwich with the satisfying heartiness of pasta. The result? A BLT Pasta Salad that’s bursting with flavors and textures. Perfectly cooked bow tie pasta mingles with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, tangy red onions, and crunchy lettuce, all brought together with a creamy Ranch dressing. It’s a symphony of flavors that both salad lovers and home cooks will adore.
Why you’ll love This BLT Pasta Salad
The salad was so delicious and so easy that even my little Missy, who normally complains about salads, gobbled it up! The best part is that it only took a few moments to throw together—just the amount of time to boil the pasta. (I used bagged romaine lettuce, chicken from the freezer for extra protein, and pre-cooked bacon to speed up the prep.)
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Pasta | Bow tie pasta works great, but any pasta will do!
- Ranch Salad Dressing | Creamy and tangy, it ties everything together.
- Tomatoes | Use regular tomatoes, diced (removing the seeds for best texture.) Cherry tomatoes are an excellent option as well. (I suggest cutting them in half.)
- Cubed cheese | Swiss, cheddar, or Colby jack – choose your favorite.
- Thinly sliced red onions | Adds bite, but white or yellow onions work too. (If you are not a fan of raw onions, just leave them out.
- Bacon |: Cooked crispy and chopped. Turkey bacon can be a leaner option. You could also use bacon bits, but they wont be a s crispy and fresh tasting.
- Chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce | For added crunch and freshness. (I like crispy Romaine for this salad.)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Make the BLT Pasta Salad
1 Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente. Drain pasta, and toss with dressing to lightly coat so they don’t stick together and refrigerate until cold.
2 Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the cold pasta with the tomatoes, cheese, onions, bacon, and lettuce. Add enough dressing to generously coat everything and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Recipe Tips
- Toss the drained pasta in some dressing and refrigerate it to cool quickly and prevent sticking.
- Add the dressing gradually. You want enough to coat everything generously, but not so much that it becomes soupy.
- Use fresh, crisp lettuce to maintain the best texture in your salad.
- If you are traveling with this salad you will want to add the dressing and bacon just before serving. This keeps the lettuce and bacon crispy.
Variations
- Add protein: You can add chicken or ham to make this salad more of a complete meal.
- Add Avocado: For a creamy twist, mix in some diced avocado.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of Sriracha for some heat.
- Different Cheese: Try feta or blue cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Extra Veggies: Toss in some bell peppers, cucumbers, or even olives for added texture and taste.
Storage Suggestions
To store your BLT Pasta Salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. If you’re planning to store leftovers, keep the lettuce separate and add it just before serving to ensure it stays crisp.
Freezing is not recommended as the texture of the pasta and veggies can become unappealing.
FAQs
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare all the components and store them separately. Combine them just before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.
What pasta works best for this recipe?
Bow tie pasta is a great choice, but any short pasta like rotini, penne, or fusilli will work well
How do I keep the bacon crispy?
Add the bacon just before serving. If you need to prepare it ahead, store it separately in a paper towel-lined container to absorb any extra grease.
Can I use a different dressing?
Yes! While Ranch is classic, a Caesar or blue cheese dressing could also complement the ingredients nicely.
Did You Make This BLT Pasta Salad?
Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. If you share an image on Instagram or Facebook, be sure to tag me and use #scatteredmomrecipes!
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BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta – we chose bow tie pasta but any pasta will work
- 1 bottle Ranch Salad Dressing
- 1 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, seeds removed
- 1 cup cubed cheese (swiss, cheddar, colby jack – whatever you prefer)
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions
- 1 pound bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
- 2 cups finely chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente. You don’t want mushy pasta!
- Drain pasta, toss with dressing to lightly coat so they don’t stick together and refrigerate until cold.
- In a large bowl, toss the cold pasta with the tomatoes, cheese, onions, bacon, and lettuce.
- Add enough dressing to generously coat everything and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Want to try this recipe yourself? You can find it here on Erin’s blog, be sure to look around.
