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Home » Recipes » Salads

by Traci · Published: 04/28/2019 · Updated: 03/17/2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

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5 from 11 votes
35 minutes

BLT Pasta Salad is loaded with crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a secretly nutritious Greek yogurt ranch dressing. Serve as a meal or side and watch it disappear!

spoon drizzles ranch dressing over blt pasta salad

BLT pasta salad is a giant bowl of bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado tossed with pasta and creamy Greek yogurt ranch dressing. It's perfect as a meal on its own, or as a side dish for summer picnics! It's easy to make and always disappears!

Need more picnic salads? Grab this healthy macaroni salad, loaded baked potato salad, Asian slaw recipe, or quick coleslaw.

Table of Contents hide
1) Key ingredients
2) How to make BLT Pasta Salad
3) Recipe tips for success
4) More salad recipes we love
5) BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Key ingredients

  • rotini spiral pasta - or any pasta
  • lettuce - use romaine or iceberg lettuce, or a combo of both
  • tomatoes - cherry tomatoes are my fav, but any will work
  • bacon - use precooked, crumbled bacon or make your own
  • onion - I prefer red onions but you can use any variety
  • avocado - adds a nutty richness that always wins with bacon
  • ranch dressing - I used my Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing but you can use any ranch you like
blt pasta salad with Ranch dressing in glass bowl on blue surface next to jar of Ranch dressing

How to make BLT Pasta Salad

  1. Cook pasta. (get Instant Pot instructions in recipe below)
  2. Rinse with cool water, drain, and set aside.
  3. Make the dressing in a small bowl.
  4. To serve, place pasta in a large bowl with bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and onion.
  5. Drizzle ranch dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently and serve.

Recipe tips for success

Pasta: Always rinse the cooked pasta in cold water when it's finished cooking. This stops it cooking, cools it down, and removes excess starch. Also, chill it before using it with pasta salad.

Lettuce: You can prep it a day or two before serving, just be sure to air dry the lettuce completely before storing it in the fridge.

Bacon: Cook bacon a day or two in advance to avoid extra tasks the day of your event. Refrigerate it in an airtight container until ready to use.

Avocado: For optimal avocado freshness, I recommend waiting to dice the avocado until you're ready to dress and serve BLT salad.

Dressing: Feel free to serve this pasta salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing instead of the Greek yogurt ranch.

Storage tip: Keep all prepped ingredients separate from each other until you're ready to toss the salad together.

blt pasta salad with ranch dressing in glass bowl on blue surface

More salad recipes we love

  • Dill Potato Salad
  • Strawberry Salad
  • Loaded Baked Potato Salad
  • Broccoli Bacon Salad
  • Lemony Kale Salad
blt pasta salad in glass bowl

BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

BLT Pasta Salad is loaded with crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a secretly nutritious Greek yogurt ranch dressing. Serve as a meal or side and watch it disappear!
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 8 1-cup servings
Author: Traci The Kitchen Girl

INGREDIENTS
 

  • 2 cups Spiral Pasta, uncooked
  • ½ teaspoon Sea Salt, add this to pasta water
  • 1 head Romaine Lettuce, chopped (about 4 cups)
  • 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes, halved
  • ½ pound Bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • ½ medium Red Onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 Avocado, about 1 cups diced
  • ½ cup Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing, or bottled Ranch dressing

Instructions
 

  • Cook PASTA according to package instructions (See Instant Pot instructions in recipe footnotes).
  • Drain pasta, rinse to cool, and set aside.
  • Place pasta in a large bowl with BACON, LETTUCE, TOMATO, ONION, and AVOCADO.
  • Drizzle RANCH DRESSING over the pasta salad. Toss gently to combine and serve chilled.
Tried this recipe? I'd love your review!Visit the comments below and tell me how it went.

Traci's Recipe Notes

Nutrition information does not include the data for Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing. Please refer to that recipe.
Instant Pot instructions to cook pasta
  1. Add PASTA and 4 cups WATER to the Instant Pot. Push pasta under the liquid to submerge.
  2. Secure lid, turn pressure valve to "Sealing", and select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" on HIGH for 2 minutes (for ditalini, elbow macaroni, or rotini spirals) or 1 minute (for thinner "shell" pasta).
  3. When cook cycle completes, allow a FULL 10-minute natural pressure release (NPR). Don't rush this...the pasta is still cooking.
  4. Turn pressure valve to "Venting" to release any remaining steam. Press "Cancel".
  5. Continue with #2 instructions above.

Equipment

  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • measuring cups
  • salad spinner
  • serving bowl
  • serving utensils

NUTRITION

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 456mg | Potassium: 481mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3035IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.

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  • Citrus Salad
  • Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing
  • Strawberry Salad
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Comments

  1. Patricia Ciapciak says

    May 31, 2020 at 9:26 am

    We LOVED your BLT Pasta Salad! It is absolutely DELICIOUS. Your recipes are THE BEST and easy to modify for many allergies! THANKS SO MUCH, Kitchen Girl!!

    Reply
    • The Kitchen Girl says

      May 31, 2020 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      Aww thank you, Pat!! I'm so glad you've been with me through the years and are enjoying my contribution to the recipe realm ❤️

  2. Farah says

    August 25, 2019 at 2:29 am

    5 stars
    All my favorite flavors in one pasta salad, this is inspired! BLT sandwich but so much more elevated. Can't wait to try this Traci! Thank you for the gorgeous recipe.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      August 25, 2019 at 8:07 am

      Aww, thank you for the kind words, Farah. Yes, you will LOVE the BLT salad version of the sandwich 🙂

  3. Alexandra says

    August 20, 2019 at 10:50 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a delicious recipe for the whole family to enjoy! Ranch is such a yummy dressing, and the BLT and avocado combination works so well! Yum!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      August 21, 2019 at 4:45 am

      Thanks, Alexandra! We literally gobble this one down every time 🙂

  4. Josi says

    August 20, 2019 at 10:17 pm

    5 stars
    This looks fantastic. I love BLTs and love Salads so this is perfect! I think I'll make it for our next church potluck!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      August 21, 2019 at 4:46 am

      Thanks, Josi! Just be sure to make enough...b/c it WON'T last long 😉

  5. Natalie says

    August 20, 2019 at 9:54 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a great idea for dinner or light lunch! I love the idea of making a BLT pasta salad instead of sandwich.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      August 21, 2019 at 4:47 am

      Thanks, Natalie! We love it too...although, nothing against a stacked up BLT 😉

  6. Megan Ellam says

    August 20, 2019 at 9:50 pm

    5 stars
    OMG! This recipe looks so good! I was looking for just this kind of inspiration for a salad for tonight. Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      August 21, 2019 at 4:48 am

      Thanks, Megan! So happy to inspire you! Hope you love the BLT salad 🙂

  7. Meeta says

    July 25, 2018 at 8:47 am

    I so agree about having a good salad repertoire over the summer months and I have to admit nothing beats a BLT Salad. So awesome tips on salad making here too.

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      July 25, 2018 at 1:47 pm

      So glad to hear it, Meeta! Hope you get to enjoy it sometime 🙂

  8. Sara says

    July 25, 2018 at 8:37 am

    This looks fabuolous! All of the flavor I crave without the guilt!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      July 25, 2018 at 1:46 pm

      Haha yep! Exactly my thoughts about it 🙂 Thanks Sara!

  9. Jessica Formicola says

    July 25, 2018 at 8:34 am

    5 stars
    This is my kind of pasta salad! So perfect for summer!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      July 25, 2018 at 1:46 pm

      Thanks Jessica! This is the perfect season for it 🙂

  10. Jamie Young says

    July 25, 2018 at 7:53 am

    When you can combine "skinny" and "ranch" you have a winner for me! I have a potluck next weekend and this is going to be my contribution!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      July 25, 2018 at 1:45 pm

      Haha yep, I'm all about the skinny AND the ranch 🙂 Thanks Jamie!

  11. Jessie says

    July 25, 2018 at 7:42 am

    5 stars
    This looks Amazing!!! Must try for my gathering!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      July 25, 2018 at 1:45 pm

      Great Jessie! Hope it's a hit! 🙂

  12. nicole triebe says

    July 25, 2018 at 7:16 am

    I've been craving salads all summer and this one looks to die for!! Can't wait to make it!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      July 25, 2018 at 1:44 pm

      Yay thanks Nicole! Hope you love it like I do 🙂

  13. Claudia Lamascolo says

    April 08, 2018 at 3:14 pm

    I love the idea that this is skinny! sounds and looks terrific!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      April 09, 2018 at 10:20 am

      Thanks Claudia! Skinny means we can eat MORE, right?! 😉

  14. debi at Life Currents says

    April 08, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    This looks like a great pasta salad to take to a BBQ, pool party, or picnic this summer! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      April 09, 2018 at 10:20 am

      Thanks Debi! You'll be the hit of the party with this one 🙂

  15. Pam Greer says

    April 08, 2018 at 2:09 pm

    Oh this salad sounds amazing! I love the ranch dressing. Especially that it's a skinny version!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      April 09, 2018 at 10:18 am

      Thanks Pam! I'm with you...gimme ALL the skinny ranch 🙂

  16. Zuzana Paar says

    April 08, 2018 at 11:18 am

    Finally, we have a bit better weather and therefore time for recipes like this. Have to try it

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      April 09, 2018 at 10:18 am

      Haha thanks Zuzana! You're so right...loving the season ahead 🙂

  17. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says

    April 08, 2018 at 11:05 am

    This salad looks amazing!! I honestly don't make enough salad, but this looks like a great one to save for the summer 🙂

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      April 09, 2018 at 9:08 am

      Thanks Cathleen! Love hearing this 🙂

  18. Jill says

    April 02, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    Looks like a really delicious pasta salad dish to bring to a picnic this season!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      April 02, 2018 at 9:23 pm

      Thanks Jill! Yep, you might be the hit of the party if you bring this 🙂

  19. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says

    April 02, 2018 at 5:03 pm

    Everything about this salad sounds good to me! I'd love a big bowl for dinner!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      April 02, 2018 at 9:21 pm

      Thanks Cynthia! This does make a great dinner salad too...I've done it 🙂

  20. Lisa Huff says

    April 02, 2018 at 4:52 pm

    Love that this has pasta and lettuce! Best of both worlds!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      April 02, 2018 at 9:13 pm

      Thanks Lisa...love hearing you put it like that 🙂

  21. Hayley says

    April 02, 2018 at 4:04 pm

    You've basically solved the question of what I'm going to bring to every gathering this summer. A secretly healthy salad I can make in advance? That's perfect!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      April 02, 2018 at 9:12 pm

      Haha yes!!! I love hearing that! Thanks...and hope you love it!

  22. Jenni LeBaron says

    April 02, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    This looks so fresh and tasty. Perfect for a work-friendly, packable lunch.I especially love the skinny ranch dressing on top!

    Reply
    • Traci Antonovich says

      April 02, 2018 at 3:38 pm

      Thanks Jenni! Yep, very work-friendly...party-friendly too! 🙂

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