This BLT Pasta Salad is a tasty twist on the classic BLT sandwich. The combination of pasta, bacon, vegetables, and dressing creates a fantastic flavor experience.
If you’re a bacon lover, you’ll enjoy this BLT wrap and air fryer bacon recipe!
Recipe Details
I adore this BLT Pasta Salad because it’s easy, flavorful, and a perfect summer salad to bring to any cookout or gathering. This dish offers a new take on the classic sandwich.
- TASTE: This delectable BLT Pasta Salad features savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. The mayo-ranch dressing adds a delicious touch.
- TEXTURE: Bringing together the crispiness of bacon, the crunch of lettuce, the juiciness of tomatoes, and the creaminess of mayo with al dente rotini pasta and ranch dressing.
- TIME: Ready in just 17 minutes.
- EASE: With simple ingredients and easy preparation, this salad can be whipped up quickly whenever you crave it.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta- I opted for rotini pasta, but you can use any small pasta shape.
- Mayonnaise and Ranch- These form the creamy and tangy dressing.
- Lettuce- Romaine lettuce is my preference, but feel free to use your favorite type.
- Tomatoes- Roma, cherry, or grape tomatoes work well.
- Bacon- Whether it’s thick-cut or thin-cut, both types of bacon work.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add some more protein- To boost the protein content, add cubed chicken, chopped hard-boiled egg, or tofu.
- Add other vegetables- Consider including bell peppers, celery, carrots, or spinach to enhance the variety of veggies.
- Try another dressing- Experiment with dressings like Caesar, 1000 island, or a vinaigrette for different flavor profiles.
How to Make BLT Pasta Salad
- Cook the bacon. Fry the bacon in a pan or air fryer until crispy, then chop it into small pieces and place it in a large bowl.
- Chop the veggies. Dice the tomatoes, lettuce, and onion, and add them to the bowl with the bacon.
- Cook the pasta. Cook the rotini according to the package instructions, rinse with cold water, drain, and add to the salad.
- Make the dressing. Whisk together the mayonnaise and ranch in a small bowl.
- Dress the BLT pasta salad. Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients, toss well, and serve.
Pro Tip: For the best taste and texture, serve the salad immediately after dressing it.
– **Chop the vegetables uniformly:** Cut the veggies to a similar size so none overpower the dish. Small tomatoes can be sliced in half.
– **Make the bacon crispy:** Crispy bacon works well in this salad to avoid it becoming soggy with the tomato juices and dressing.
– **Cook the pasta al dente:** To prevent the pasta from being mushy, cook it al dente for some texture.
– **Use pasta with ridges:** Rotini pasta is recommended as it traps the dressing, bacon, and veggies in its grooves for easier eating.
### FAQs
– **What is the best type of lettuce for BLT?**
– The best lettuce varieties are romaine and iceberg, both providing a crisp texture that holds up well with dressing. Romaine has more health benefits, while iceberg is crunchier, but both work great in this salad.
– **What kind of dressing goes well with it?**
– A mayonnaise-based ranch dressing complements the ingredients perfectly, offering a sweet and tangy creaminess that pairs well with the bacon and vegetables.
### Serving Suggestions
This BLT Pasta Salad is savory, creamy, and delicious. It can be served as a side dish with meats for a more substantial meal, or alongside other salads for a wholesome spread.When serving this pasta salad, you can pair it with Smoked Pork Chops, Ribeye Steak, Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, or Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast for meats. For salads, consider serving it with a Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad, Pesto Pasta Salad, Broccoli Cranberry Salad, or Tri Color Pasta Salad. You can also enjoy it with Focaccia Bread, Sourdough Bread, Rustic Bread, or Brioche Buns. If you prefer pizza, try it with Margherita Pizza, Chicken Pesto Pizza, Mushroom Arugula Flatbread Pizza, or Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread Pizza.
To prepare this dish in advance, you can cook the bacon and pasta beforehand and store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Assemble the salad just before serving for the best taste.
It is recommended to enjoy this BLT Pasta Salad on the same day it is made because the lettuce may lose its crispiness after sitting in the dressing. Freezing the salad is not advisable as it may alter the texture upon thawing.
For more delicious pasta salad recipes, you can explore dishes like The BEST Tuna Pasta Salad, Greek Chicken Pasta Salad, Chicken Pasta Salad, and Tri Color Pasta Salad.
BLT Pasta Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 1/2 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise 
Instructions
- Cut the cooked bacon into tiny pieces. For a less messy approach to achieving crispy bacon, consider using an air fryer (here’s a recipe).
- Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. Combine them in a large bowl with the chopped bacon. 
- Prepare the rotini pasta as per the package instructions, cool it with cold water after cooking, drain in a colander, and add it to the salad.
- Create the dressing by whisking together the ranch and mayonnaise.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients, toss well, and serve immediately for the best crispy and crunchy experience. 
Notes
Serving suggestion
- Chipotle Burgers with Avocado Sauce
- Grilled cedar plank salmon
- Grilled BBQ chicken wings
- Barbecue Pork Ribs
Nutrition
