BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

If you love the taste of Pasta Salad and you also enjoy eating a classic BLT sandwich, then you are going to absolutely fall head over heels for this BLT Pasta Salad recipe! It combines all the flavors of the two summertime staples into one delicious dish.

It is the perfect side dish to make for a backyard cookout when you want to serve something cool and refreshing to go along with those grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. And now that I have made it to share with my family and friends, it has become a highly requested recipe for those summer holiday celebrations.

In fact, I will be making a double batch of it next week as we head to a couple of Independence Day celebrations. Although I don’t mind at all, as it is one of the easiest recipes to make!

As much as I love the taste of my Zesty Pasta Salad there is always a chance that someone else will be bringing classic pasta salad to a cookout. Therefore to add variety to the table, I prefer making this recipe when going to an event with family and friends.

Ingredients Required

Pasta – When it comes to making BLT pasta salad, you want to make sure that you use a variety of pasta that will pick up and hold the other ingredients. Therefore, I prefer to use spiral pasta such as Rotini.

However, you can also use Cavatappi or Fusilli pasta if you prefer. I have even used Farfalle (bow-tie) pasta in a pinch and it was still delicious.

Mayonnaise – Most BLT sandwiches are served with mayonnaise that is spread on the inside of the bread. Therefore this pasta salad also includes mayo as part of the dressing.

Ranch dressing – Mix in a little prepared Ranch dressing with the mayo and your pasta salad just got even better!

Diced tomatoes – Of course you must include fresh diced tomatoes in any type of BLT salad.

Bacon – It is best to use fresh cooked and crumbled bacon in this recipe. However, you could also use real bacon bits to get this dish prepared even faster. Just steer clear of the imitation bacon bits (the kind that are red in color).

Shredded cheddar cheese – The cheese adds another element of creaminess to the salad.

Red onion – Diced red onion gives the salad a little unexpected crunch and flavor.

Lettuce – Although not a typical pasta salad ingredient, the lettuce is a must have for a BLT pasta salad.

Optional Ingredients

Hard Boiled Egg – If you like the taste of a B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato) sandwich, then be sure to add in a diced hard boiled egg.

Avocado – Ever heard of a B.L.T.A sandwich? Bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado are layered inside two pieces of bread. Therefore, if you love avocado, dice half of an avocado and add it to your salad. Although, be sure to do this right before serving so the chunks of avocado don’t turn brown.

BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 12 oz rotini pasta, cooked
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup prepared ranch dressing
• 1 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 10 slices bacon, cooked and diced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup red onion, diced
• 1 cup chopped lettuce

Optional:

• 1 hard-boiled egg, diced
• 1/2 avocado diced, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

Just like with any pasta salad recipe, this one starts with cooking your pasta to al dente consistency. Because all brands vary on the cook time be sure to read the package instructions on the recommended boiling time.

Once the pasta has been cooked, drain it in a colander. Then pour cold water over the top of the pasta to stop the cooking process.

When it is cool, place the pasta into a large serving bowl and set aside.

The BLT Pasta Salad Dressing

While the pasta is cooking it is time to make your BLT Pasta Salad dressing. For this recipe use the simple combination of Ranch dressing and mayonnaise. I prefer to use my own homemade Dry Ranch Dressing mix to make my Ranch dressing. However, store bought salad dressing will work as well.

Then place the diced tomatoes, bacon crumbles, cheddar cheese and diced red onion into the bowl with the noodles. If you are including a hard boiled egg as one of the ingredients, add it here as well.

Then gently toss to combine.

Now here is where you need to decide whether or not to add the lettuce and avocado at this point or not. If you are going to serve the salad immediately, then mix the lettuce and avocado in right now.

Then pour the dressing on top of the noodles mixture and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

However, if you are making this recipe ahead of time, which I prefer, then do not add the lettuce or avocado until you are ready to serve. Simply pour the dressing over the remaining ingredients and refrigerate.

Right before you are ready to serve the BLT Pasta Salad, add the lettuce and avocado and toss to coat. Then serve it immediately.

Serving Considerations For BLT Pasta Salad

Because this BLT pasta salad includes mayonnaise and Ranch dressing be sure to keep it cold until ready to serve. If you plan on taking this to an outdoor cookout or to share at a potluck, be sure that it doesn’t sit at room temperature for more than 1-2 hours.

The food will start to spoil when exposed to hot temperatures for over an hour or at room temperature for over 2 hours.

I prefer to serve this crowd pleasing side dish in a bowl that is encased in ice. However, be sure to stir it frequently so that the salad can remain cold throughout.

Refrigerate any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Unfortunately, it is not recommended to freeze the leftovers for this recipe.

Enjoy! Mary

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Recipe Card Here