BLT Pasta Salad
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This BLT Pasta Salad is loaded with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and pasta tossed in a creamy dressing. It’s an easy summer side dish that works for BBQs, cookouts, potlucks, and busy weeknights when you need something simple but filling.
One of the best things about BLT Pasta Salad is how easy it is to prep ahead for parties and summer gatherings. You can cook the pasta and bacon earlier in the day, then toss everything together before serving so the lettuce stays crisp and fresh.
Why you’ll love this BLT Pasta Salad
Easy BLT Pasta Salad for Summer BBQs
This recipe also works really well alongside grilled recipes and cookout food. If you’re planning a full summer spread, this goes perfectly with recipes like my BBQ Sausage Bites or Slow Cooker BBQ Beef. It’s the kind of side dish people keep going back for because it has a little bit of everything in every bite.
Ingredients Needed for BLT Pasta Salad
- Pasta: Rotini works really well because the creamy dressing sticks to all the twists, but bowtie pasta also works great for this recipe.
- Bacon: Cook the bacon until crispy so it holds up well after being mixed into the salad. Thick-cut bacon adds extra texture and flavor.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes add freshness and a little sweetness. They also hold up better in pasta salad than larger tomatoes.
- Romaine Lettuce: Romaine adds crunch and gives the salad that classic BLT flavor. Add it right before serving for the best texture.
- Mayonnaise: This forms the creamy base of the dressing and helps coat all the pasta evenly.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream adds a little tanginess and helps balance the richness of the bacon and mayo.
- Lemon Juice: A small amount of lemon juice brightens everything up and keeps the dressing from tasting too heavy.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds flavor without overpowering the rest of the ingredients.
- Salt and Black Pepper: These help bring out the flavors in the dressing and bacon.
How to make BLT Pasta Salad
**For more detailed instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card below.**
Cook the pasta according to package directions until tender.
Drain the pasta and let it cool completely.
Chop the bacon, lettuce, and cherry tomatoes.
Add the dressing ingredients to a bowl and mix until smooth.
Add the pasta, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and dressing to a large bowl.
Toss everything together until evenly coated.
Variations
- Add avocado: Diced avocado tastes really good in this pasta salad and adds even more BLT flavor. Add it right before serving so it stays fresh and doesn’t brown.
- Use ranch dressing: Swap the homemade dressing for ranch if you want something even quicker. Bacon and ranch always work well together in pasta salad.
- Make it spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce for a little heat. Crushed red pepper flakes also work well.
- Add cheese: Shredded cheddar or small cubes of cheese turn this into an even heartier side dish. Sharp cheddar works especially well with the bacon.
- Turn it into a meal: Add grilled chicken to make this more filling for lunch or dinner. It’s a good way to use leftover grilled chicken from cookouts.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with burgers and hot dogs: This is the kind of pasta salad that fits perfectly beside classic cookout food. It works really well with burgers, hot dogs, and grilled sausages.
- Pair with BBQ recipes: The creamy dressing balances smoky BBQ flavors really well. Try serving it with your Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Tacos or Pulled Pork.
- Add it to a summer party spread: This looks great on a table with fresh fruit, chips, dips, and other easy sides. It’s especially good for 4th of July parties and summer gatherings.
- Serve cold straight from the fridge: This pasta salad tastes best chilled, especially during hot weather. If it sits out for a while, just give it a quick stir before serving.
- Make it part of a picnic lunch: Pack it into containers for picnics, lake days, or road trips. The flavors get even better after chilling for a bit.
Storage and Freezing
- How should I store BLT Pasta Salad?
Store leftover BLT Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The lettuce softens over time, so it’s best eaten within the first day or two for the freshest texture. If you want to make it ahead, store the dressing separately and mix everything together closer to serving time. That helps keep the lettuce crisp.
- Can I freeze BLT Pasta Salad?
This recipe is not ideal for freezing because the creamy dressing and lettuce do not thaw well.
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Tips & Tricks
- Cool the pasta completely: Warm pasta can make the dressing oily and heavy. Rinsing the pasta with cold water helps stop the cooking and cool it down quickly.
- Cook extra bacon: People always want more bacon in BLT Pasta Salad. Making a little extra gives you more to sprinkle on top before serving.
- Add lettuce last: Mix the lettuce in right before serving so it stays crunchy and fresh instead of softening in the fridge.
- Chill before serving: Letting the salad chill for about 30 minutes helps the dressing coat the pasta better and gives the flavors time to blend together.
- Use plenty of salt in the pasta water: Seasoning the pasta while it cooks makes a big difference in the final flavor of the salad.
Recommended
More summer Ideas
BLT Pasta Salad
BLT Pasta Salad is a creamy, bacon-loaded side dish with fresh tomatoes and crisp lettuce, perfect for summer BBQs.
Equipment
Ingredients Â
- 12 oz pasta rotini or bowtie
- 6 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
InstructionsÂ
- Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water.
- Add cooled pasta to a large bowl.
- Stir in mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add bacon and tomatoes and mix well.
- Fold in lettuce just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cool the pasta completely: Warm pasta can make the dressing oily and heavy. Rinsing the pasta with cold water helps stop the cooking and cool it down quickly.
- Cook extra bacon: People always want more bacon in BLT Pasta Salad. Making a little extra gives you more to sprinkle on top before serving.
- Add lettuce last: Mix the lettuce in right before serving so it stays crunchy and fresh instead of softening in the fridge.
- Chill before serving: Letting the salad chill for about 30 minutes helps the dressing coat the pasta better and gives the flavors time to blend together.
- Use plenty of salt in the pasta water: Seasoning the pasta while it cooks makes a big difference in the final flavor of the salad.
Nutrition
Calories: 335kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 8gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 211mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1149IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1mg
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