Name: BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 16-ounce box Rotini Pasta (cooked, drained, and rinsed with cold water); 13 slices bacon (cooked and chopped); ½ large red onion (finely diced); 1½ cups cheddar cheese (cut into cubes, measured after cubed); 2 cups romaine lettuce (cut or torn into bite size pieces, measured after cutting); 1 avocado (cut into small pieces); 1½ cups cherry tomatoes (cut in half, measured after cutting); ¼ cup parsley (chopped); 1 1-ounce packet Hidden Valley Dressing Mix (dry); 1½ cups mayonnaise; ½ cup sour cream

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 72 reviews

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If you’re craving a dish that combines the smoky crunch of bacon with crisp, fresh veggies and a creamy, tangy dressing, you’re going to love this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe. It’s a delightful twist on the classic BLT sandwich, transformed into a hearty pasta salad that’s perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, or just a satisfying weeknight meal. The combination of rotini pasta with crispy bacon, ripe avocado, sharp cheddar, and a homemade ranch-based dressing creates a symphony of flavors and textures that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A clear glass bowl filled with seven separate layers of fresh ingredients arranged side by side. Starting from the top left, there are crisp green romaine lettuce leaves, next to finely chopped red bacon pieces with a rough texture, followed by small cubed light green avocado pieces. Moving down, there are finely chopped red onion pieces with a shiny texture, bright orange cubes of cheddar cheese, halved red cherry tomatoes with juicy insides on the bottom left, and in the center, a layer of chopped fresh green parsley. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with part of a striped cloth visible at the bottom right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting together the ingredients for this salad is simple, but each one plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color that make this dish so irresistible. From the tender pasta to the crunchy veggies and creamy dressing, everything comes together beautifully.

Rotini Pasta (16 ounces): The spiral shape is perfect for holding onto that luscious dressing and bits of bacon in every bite.
Bacon (13 slices): Crisp and smoky, bacon brings that classic BLT flavor and satisfying crunch to the salad.
Red Onion (½ large, finely diced): Adds a mild sharpness and a pop of purple color that brightens the dish.
Cheddar Cheese (1½ cups, cubed): Sharp and creamy, the cheese complements the bacon and adds richness.
Romaine Lettuce (2 cups, bite-sized): Provides a fresh and crisp contrast to the creamy dressing and pasta.
Avocado (1, small pieces): Creamy and buttery, it balances the salad with healthy fats and smooth texture.
Cherry Tomatoes (1½ cups, halved): Juicy and sweet, they add bursts of freshness and vibrant color.
Parsley (¼ cup, chopped): A touch of herbaceous brightness to lift all the flavors.
Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix (1 packet): The key to that tangy, herby dressing that ties everything together.
Mayonnaise (1½ cups): Creates the creamy base of the dressing that coats the pasta gorgeously.
Sour Cream (½ cup): Adds a subtle tang and silky texture to the dressing blend.

How to Make BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing

Start by combining the Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix with mayonnaise and sour cream in a medium bowl. Whisk everything together until smooth, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for 30 minutes. This rest period helps the flavors meld and the dressing thicken, making it perfect for coating your salad ingredients.

Step 2: Cook and Cool the Pasta

Follow the package instructions for the rotini pasta, boiling it until just tender. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly with cold water. This step stops the cooking process and cools the pasta, so it doesn’t wilt your fresh vegetables or iceberg lettuce when mixed.

Step 3: Combine Salad Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, bring together the cooled pasta, chopped crispy bacon, finely diced red onion, cheddar cheese cubes, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, and bite-sized romaine lettuce. Each component adds a unique texture and flavor, creating a harmonious medley.

Step 4: Toss with Dressing

Pour the chilled dressing over the salad ingredients. Using tongs, gently toss everything together to ensure every bite gets a coating of that creamy, flavorful dressing. Be careful not to smash the avocado pieces during this step—just a gentle fold to combine is all you need.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe is best served fresh, allowing you to enjoy the crispness of the vegetables and the creaminess of the dressing in perfect balance. If you do prepare it in advance, just give it a quick gentle toss before serving.

How to Serve BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

A white bowl filled with creamy pasta salad, showing three main layers: a base of spiral-shaped pale yellow pasta, mixed in with bright green avocado cubes and fresh green lettuce pieces, followed by scattered orange cheese cubes and vibrant red cherry tomato halves on top; small bits of crispy brown bacon and finely chopped purple onion are spread throughout, with a creamy white dressing coating everything. In the background, half an avocado, green lettuce leaves, and three whole cherry tomatoes sit on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate your BLT Pasta Salad, sprinkle some extra crispy bacon bits or a handful of chopped chives on top just before serving. For a little zing, a dash of freshly ground black pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the flavors beautifully.

Side Dishes

This pasta salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, juicy burgers, or even classic barbecue ribs. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own but also complements smoky, grilled flavors perfectly, making it a versatile side for summer entertaining.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to impress guests, serve individual portions in mini mason jars or colorful salad bowls. You could also assemble the salad in layers for a visually striking buffet option. Don’t forget to garnish with a few whole cherry tomatoes and sprigs of parsley to add a fresh, inviting look!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover BLT Pasta Salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Because of the avocado and lettuce, the salad is best eaten sooner rather than later to prevent it from becoming too soggy or brown.

Freezing

Freezing this BLT Pasta Salad is not recommended, as the mayonnaise-based dressing and fresh vegetables do not freeze well. The texture and flavor would suffer once thawed, so stick to refrigerating only.

Reheating

This salad is designed to be served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is unnecessary. If you prefer, take it out of the fridge and let it sit for about 15 minutes to slightly warm up before serving, but avoid microwaving to maintain texture.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While rotini is ideal because of its shape and texture, other short pastas like penne, bowtie, or shells can work perfectly well. Just make sure they hold onto the dressing and mix-ins nicely.

Is there a way to make this salad vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the bacon or replace it with a vegetarian bacon alternative or smoked tofu for that savory element. The salad will still taste delicious and satisfying.

How long does the BLT Pasta Salad stay fresh?

For the best flavor and texture, enjoy within two days of making it. The ingredients, especially avocado and lettuce, start to lose their crispness and freshness beyond that.

Can I make the dressing from scratch without the packet?

Definitely. Use a combination of buttermilk powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, and other herbs you love to mimic the ranch flavor. This lets you customize the dressing to your taste.

What should I do if my salad is too dry?

If you feel the salad needs more moisture, simply whisk in a little extra mayonnaise or sour cream, or add a splash of milk or buttermilk to loosen the dressing. Toss gently to combine.

Final Thoughts

This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe is one of those satisfying dishes that never fails to brighten up any meal with its perfect mix of creamy, crunchy, and fresh elements. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or enjoying a simple dinner, give this recipe a go—you might just find your new favorite pasta salad.

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