If you’re searching for the ultimate twist on a classic sandwich, look no further than BLT Pasta Salad. This dish brings together all the flavors you love — smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp romaine, and creamy dressing — tossed with tender pasta for a truly satisfying side or light main. It’s the kind of recipe that has folks coming back for seconds at every picnic or potluck and just might become your new summer staple.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This BLT Pasta Salad calls for simple staple ingredients, but each one adds something essential, whether that’s crunch, tang, creaminess, or vibrant color. There’s nothing fussy here, just the perfect blend of textures and flavors in every bite.
- Rotini pasta (12 ounces, cooked and cooled): The twisty shape grabs onto all the dressing and bits of bacon for maximum flavor in every forkful.
- Bacon (1 pound, cooked crisp and crumbled): Smoky, salty bacon is the star here — don’t skimp on crispiness for that classic BLT crunch.
- Cherry tomatoes (2 cups, halved): These sweet, juicy bites give the salad a pop of color and summery freshness.
- Romaine lettuce (2 cups, chopped): Go for crisp, cold lettuce and add just before serving for the ideal texture.
- Cheddar cheese (1 cup, shredded): Sharp cheddar brings richness and a touch of creaminess throughout the pasta salad.
- Red onion (1/2 cup, finely chopped): Provides a mild bite that balances out the richness of the bacon and dressing.
- Mayonnaise (3/4 cup): Acts as the creamy foundation for the homemade dressing — choose a good-quality mayo for best results.
- Sour cream (1/4 cup): Adds a subtle tang and softens the dressing without making it heavy. Greek yogurt works as well!
- White vinegar (1 tablespoon): Brightens the flavors and gives the salad a pleasant zing.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Lends savory depth without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Salt and black pepper (to taste): Essential for bringing everything together — season generously!
How to Make BLT Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook and Cool the Pasta
Start with the pasta, since it needs time to cool. Boil the rotini according to the package directions until it’s perfectly al dente — not too soft, so it holds up in the salad. Once drained, rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking and prevent sticking. Set it aside to cool completely, and feel free to toss it with a little oil if you want to avoid clumping.
Step 2: Crisp and Crumble the Bacon
While the pasta cools, cook your bacon until it’s irresistibly crisp. You can do this on the stovetop, in the oven, or even in the microwave if you’re short on time. Once cooled, crumble or chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces for that perfect BLT crunch in every bite.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, white vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well blended. Add the finely chopped red onion to the bowl — this will “marinate” slightly in the dressing and take the bite off while adding lovely flavor.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Dressing
Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with your creamy dressing. Give everything a good toss to make sure that each piece of rotini is coated and the flavors are evenly distributed. The pasta will soak up some of the dressing, making for an extra tasty salad.
Step 5: Fold in Tomatoes, Bacon, Cheese, and Lettuce
Gently fold in the cherry tomatoes, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped romaine lettuce. Be gentle to keep the tomatoes from breaking down and the lettuce nice and crisp. Mix until everything looks evenly combined, and get ready for the magic!
Step 6: Chill Before Serving
For the best flavor and texture, let your BLT Pasta Salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This lets the flavors mingle and the salad firm up just enough. Give everything a good toss again right before serving, and get ready for rave reviews.
How to Serve BLT Pasta Salad
Garnishes
To really make your BLT Pasta Salad shine, sprinkle a handful of extra crumbled bacon or a few more shredded cheddar curls on top. Freshly ground black pepper and a little extra chopped romaine add gorgeous color and a little more bite. You can even toss on some chopped fresh chives or parsley for a bright, garden-fresh finish.
Side Dishes
BLT Pasta Salad pairs beautifully with all your picnic and barbecue favorites. Try serving it alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or simple roasted veggies. It’s also perfect as a side for sandwiches or as a hearty lunch on its own with a hunk of crusty bread.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your presentation up a notch by serving the salad in Boston lettuce leaves for a playful lettuce-cup vibe or piling it high in a big glass bowl to show off every colorful layer. For parties, scoop it into individual mason jars for an adorable, portable salad option everyone will want to grab.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover BLT Pasta Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you plan to keep it longer or worry about soggy lettuce, just stir in the romaine right before serving each time for the freshest texture.
Freezing
While freezing BLT Pasta Salad isn’t recommended (the creamy dressing and lettuce don’t freeze well), you can prep the pasta, bacon, cheese, and tomatoes ahead and freeze those separately. Add the fresh lettuce and dressing after thawing for best results.
Reheating
Since this is a cold salad, there’s actually no need to reheat! If the salad has firmed up too much in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving, then give it a gentle stir — add a splash of mayo or vinegar if it needs loosening up.
FAQs
Can I make BLT Pasta Salad the day before?
Absolutely! Prep the salad one day ahead and store it covered in the fridge. If you want the best texture, hold off on adding the romaine lettuce until just before serving so it stays crisp.
What kind of pasta works best in BLT Pasta Salad?
Rotini is a great choice because its spirals trap all the dressing and little bits of bacon. Bow ties or penne are also good options — the key is to pick a pasta shape that holds the goodies well.
How do I make this gluten-free?
Simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta and make sure your bacon and other ingredients are certified gluten-free. The rest of the salad is naturally gluten-free, so everyone can dig in happily.
Can I lighten up the dressing?
Yes! You can easily swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt and try using a light mayonnaise. Even with these changes, your BLT Pasta Salad will be full of flavor and delightfully creamy.
Can I add extra veggies?
Definitely. Feel free to toss in cucumbers, avocado, or diced bell peppers for more color and crunch. BLT Pasta Salad is super versatile, so make it your own with whatever’s fresh and in season.
Final Thoughts
This BLT Pasta Salad is more than just a clever twist on a favorite sandwich — it’s a recipe made for sharing and savoring, whether you’re at a sunny picnic or a cozy weeknight dinner. Gather your ingredients and dive in; I promise you’ll watch the bowl get empty in no time. Happy cooking!
Print
BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This BLT Pasta Salad recipe combines the classic flavors of a BLT sandwich with pasta in a creamy dressing. It’s a perfect side dish for summer gatherings, picnics, or potlucks.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad:
- 12 ounces rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
Dressing:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 pound bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in chopped red onion.
- Combine Ingredients: Add cooled pasta to the bowl and toss to coat. Gently fold in tomatoes, bacon, cheese, and romaine.
- Chill and Serve: Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Stir again before serving for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add the lettuce just before serving.
- Substitute Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Use turkey bacon as an alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
