BLT Pasta Salad
A classic BLT-inspired pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and tender pasta tossed in a creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick summer meal.
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz short pasta such as rotini, fusilli, or penne
- 8 oz bacon, chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 0.5 cup ranch dressing
- 0.25 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 0.25 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded cheddar optional
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon grease.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, and reserved bacon grease. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, cooked bacon, cherry tomatoes, and romaine lettuce.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled.
Notes
For best results, chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors blend. This salad is ideal for outdoor gatherings and can be made ahead of time.