Just as fulfilling as a BLT sandwich, but presented in a creamy, fresh salad bowl, is this delectable BLT Pasta Salad!
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This cool, refreshing salad is ideal for all of your summer BBQs, picnics, and get-togethers. It combines juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon, and fresh lettuce with homemade ranch dressing.
Among all dishes, the classic BLT sandwich is undoubtedly the most ideal. On soft bread or toast, sliced tomatoes, fresh lettuce, and a big dollop of mayo complement the salty, smoky, crispy bacon. Tomato, lettuce, and bacon are a great combination, and they are made even better in this simple pasta salad.
This salad uses delicate pasta in place of bread, and we’ll kick up the flavor with ranch dressing and creamy chopped avocado in place of basic mayo.
Why Make This Easy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
- Made in one bowl – The beauty of this, and most pasta or macaroni salad recipes, is that there is very little cooking involved. Once you have all of the ingredients prepped, you can just throw everything into a big bowl and stir them together with creamy ranch dressing!
- The perfect ratio of salad to pasta– I’m making this pasta salad a bit healthier by adjusting the amount of pasta and adding more lettuce and veggies. This is a salad with pasta in it, rather than a bowl of cold pasta with a little bit of lettuce.
- Amazing for parties and picnics – This recipe can be made ahead of time, so it’s a wonderful dish to prepare to bring to a summer BBQ. It’s a delicious side dish for hot dogs, hamburgers, or grilled chicken.
BLT Pasta Salad Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this ranch pasta salad with bacon, lettuce, and tomato:
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Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Bacon: A half a cup of crispy cooked bacon adds the perfect amount of balcony flavor! You should cook 6 to 8 slices of bacon in a skillet and chop it into small pieces in preparation. Use either regular or turkey bacon!
- Lettuce: Crisp romaine lettuce gives this salad the perfect texture.
- Tomatoes: Small cherry tomatoes work best in this recipe, as larger tomatoes are a bit too juicy and will water everything down. Grape tomatoes work as well. In a pinch, diced Roma tomatoes can also be used.
- Pasta: You’ll need about eight ounces of dried pasta for this recipe. You can use any shape that you like, but small, short pasta shapes work best. Try rotini pasta, medium shells, elbow macaroni, or farfalle (bow ties).
- Green Onion and Avocado: These aren’t normally present on a BLT sandwich, but they add wonderful flavor and texture to this BLT salad. Be sure that your avocado is ripe so that it’s creamy and soft.
- Ranch Dressing: I highly suggest that you make my homemade ranch dressing for this salad. It’s simple to mix up and well worth the few minutes that it takes. You can also use your favorite store-bought ranch dressing if you prefer.
How To Make BLT Pasta Salad
This recipe is really just as simple as adding everything to a big bowl and stirring it together!
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water, according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Combine the Ingredients: To a large bowl, add chopped lettuce, sliced tomatoes, diced avocado, crispy bacon bits, and sliced green onion.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the ranch dressing over the salad ingredients, and toss well to combine, making sure everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill: Cover and place the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Tip! You technically can serve this salad immediately after mixing it, but a little bit of time in the fridge will give the flavors time to develop.
Recipe Tips
- Cooking Pasta for Salad: You want to be sure that the pasta is cooked to your preference. We’ll be halting the cooking process with cold water, so if the pasta is undercooked, it will stay that way in the dish. I like my pasta to be cooked just past al dente (with some bite) for this recipe.
- Swap the Lettuce: Try this salad with baby spinach or your favorite salad greens. I like the crunch of romaine hearts, and iceberg lettuce would make the salad even more crisp.
- Keep the Salad From Getting Soggy. After you rinse your lettuce, be sure to dry the leaves very well using a salad spinner or paper towels. If your tomatoes are particularly wet, you may want to dry them with paper towels too.
Read also: How To Make Hamburger Steak And Gravy
BLT Salad Variations
This pasta salad is a perfect BLT sandwich in a bowl, but you can play around with the recipe to add even more excitement! Try some of these tasty mix-ins:
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- Diced jalapeno and grilled corn – for a Tex-Mex spin.
- Homemade croutons – to add even more crunch.
- Shredded carrots, diced bell peppers, or chopped broccoli – for extra nutrition and fiber.
- Add Cheese! Shredded cheddar cheese, Swiss, or Mozzarella would be delicious.
- For added protein, you can add diced grilled chicken or steak directly to the salad.
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make BLT Pasta Salad Ahead Of Time?
Once you’ve added the ranch dressing to the lettuce, it will start to wilt after a few hours. The crispy bacon will also start to lose its texture.
If you’d like to make part of the recipe ahead of time, you can wait to add the dressing until about 30 minutes before you plan to serve it.
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Pasta?
Yes! Any kind of short pasta shape works here. You can also use gluten-free pasta in this recipe.
Do I Need To Rinse The Pasta?
You do. Cold water will stop the cooking process of the pasta so that it doesn’t get soggy or overcooked.
Can I Use Bottled Ranch Dressing?
While I really love this salad with my homemade ranch, it will work just the same with your favorite bottled ranch dressing.
