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BLT pasta salad is a flavorful summer salad with savory bacon, crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, avocado, and pasta, tossed in zesty ranch dressing.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes? What's not to love!
- So good, you'll bring an empty bowl home from the cookout.
- Easy salad recipe, even for beginners.
- BLT is filling enough to be a meal in itself.
- It's the perfect companion to a delicious salmon on the grill, whole chicken in the Instant Pot, and juicy, pan-seared strip steaks.
Ingredient notes
- pasta - Use a bite-sized pasta shape that's easy to eat and avoid long noodles for pasta salad in general.
- lettuce - I recommend romaine or iceberg lettuce because their firm texture will hold up nicely in pasta salad compared to delicate lettuce.
- tomatoes - Cherry tomatoes work great with BLT pasta salad because they're bite-sized, especially when sliced in half.
- bacon - You can use precooked, crumbled bacon for convenience or make your own.
- onion - I prefer red onions for their sweet and spicy flavor and purple color.
- avocado - This adds a creamy and nutty texture that complements the other flavors and textures in this salad, especially bacon.
- ranch dressing - Use any store bought or homemade ranch.
How to make this recipe
Step 1. Make the ranch dressing or grab your favorite packaged dressing! Cook PASTA according to package instructions. I recommend cooking to al dente texture to prevent overcooking. Drain pasta, rinse until completely cool, and drain excess moisture.
Step 2. Place pasta in a large bowl with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and avocado. Drizzle ranch dressing over the pasta salad.
Step 3. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
Recipe tips
- boiling pasta - I recommend boiling pasta to a slightly firm (al dente) texture followed by a cold water rinse, which stops it cooking and preserves the texture.
- rinsing pasta - Not only does this help pasta stop cooking, it also removes excess starch which prevents the pasta sticking or clumping in the salad.
- prep-ahead vegetables - Romaine or iceberg lettuce can be prepped a few days ahead, along with tomatoes and onions. Refrigerate items in separate containers.
- same-day prep - I recommend frying bacon and slicing avocado as close to serving time to keep the bacon crispy and the avocado green.
- dressing the salad - Once BLT salad is tossed in dressing, try to serve right away to prevent the pasta absorbing the dressing. When this happens, you can always add more dressing to moisten the pasta again.
Recipe variations
- Make a quick healthy ranch dressing for a more nutritious option or this avocado ranch dressing for even more avocado flavor.
- Use turkey bacon in place of pork bacon if you're watching your numbers, or skip it entirely. This salad will still be delicious!
- Feel free to add other vegetables to this salad, such as cucumber, red bell peppers, or shredded carrots.
More salad recipes we love
- Cauliflower Broccoli Salad
- Steak Salad Recipe
- Potato Salad with Bacon
- Broccoli Grape Salad
- Lemony Kale Salad Recipe
- Strawberry Salad
📖 Recipe
BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Uncooked Rotini Pasta or preferred pasta
- 4 cups Romaine Lettuce chopped
- 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 1 cup Cooked Bacon
- ½ small Red Onion diced
- 1 Avocado diced
- ½ cup Ranch Dressing * see recipe footnote
Equipment
- serving bowl
- serving utensils
Instructions
- Cook PASTA according to package instructions.Note: I recommend cooking to al dente texture to prevent overcooking.
- Drain pasta, rinse until completely cool, and drain excess moisture.
- Place pasta in a large bowl with BACON, LETTUCE, TOMATOES, ONIONS, and AVOCADO.
- Drizzle RANCH DRESSING over the pasta salad.
- Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
Final step
Click stars to vote. Please visit 'Comments' below for reviews.
Recipe Notes
- boiling pasta - I recommend boiling pasta to a slightly firm (al dente) texture followed by a cold water rinse, which stops it cooking and preserves the texture.
rinsing pasta - Not only does this help pasta stop cooking, it also removes excess starch which prevents the pasta sticking or clumping in the salad. - prep-ahead vegetables - Romaine or iceberg lettuce can be prepped a few days ahead, along with tomatoes and onions. Refrigerate items in separate containers.
- same-day prep - I recommend frying bacon and slicing avocado as close to serving time to keep the bacon crispy and the avocado green.
- dressing and serving - Once BLT salad is tossed in dressing, try to serve right away to prevent the pasta absorbing the dressing. When this happens, you can always add more dressing to moisten the pasta again.
- ranch dressing options - Use any packaged ranch or make creamy Greek yogurt Ranch or zesty avocado ranch for a fun twist.
Patricia Ciapciak says
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!!
The Kitchen Girl says
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 ❤️
Farah says
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.
Traci Antonovich says
Aww, thank you for the kind words, Farah. Yes, you will LOVE the BLT salad version of the sandwich 🙂
Alexandra says
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!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Alexandra! We literally gobble this one down every time 🙂
Josi says
This looks fantastic. I love BLTs and love Salads so this is perfect! I think I'll make it for our next church potluck!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Josi! Just be sure to make enough...b/c it WON'T last long 😉
Natalie says
This is such a great idea for dinner or light lunch! I love the idea of making a BLT pasta salad instead of sandwich.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Natalie! We love it too...although, nothing against a stacked up BLT 😉
Megan Ellam says
OMG! This recipe looks so good! I was looking for just this kind of inspiration for a salad for tonight. Thank you so much!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Megan! So happy to inspire you! Hope you love the BLT salad 🙂
Meeta says
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.
Traci Antonovich says
So glad to hear it, Meeta! Hope you get to enjoy it sometime 🙂
Sara says
This looks fabuolous! All of the flavor I crave without the guilt!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha yep! Exactly my thoughts about it 🙂 Thanks Sara!
Jessica Formicola says
This is my kind of pasta salad! So perfect for summer!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jessica! This is the perfect season for it 🙂
Jamie Young says
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!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha yep, I'm all about the skinny AND the ranch 🙂 Thanks Jamie!
Jessie says
This looks Amazing!!! Must try for my gathering!
Traci Antonovich says
Great Jessie! Hope it's a hit! 🙂
nicole triebe says
I've been craving salads all summer and this one looks to die for!! Can't wait to make it!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay thanks Nicole! Hope you love it like I do 🙂
Claudia Lamascolo says
I love the idea that this is skinny! sounds and looks terrific!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Claudia! Skinny means we can eat MORE, right?! 😉
debi at Life Currents says
This looks like a great pasta salad to take to a BBQ, pool party, or picnic this summer! Thanks!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Debi! You'll be the hit of the party with this one 🙂
Pam Greer says
Oh this salad sounds amazing! I love the ranch dressing. Especially that it's a skinny version!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Pam! I'm with you...gimme ALL the skinny ranch 🙂
Zuzana Paar says
Finally, we have a bit better weather and therefore time for recipes like this. Have to try it
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks Zuzana! You're so right...loving the season ahead 🙂
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
This salad looks amazing!! I honestly don't make enough salad, but this looks like a great one to save for the summer 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Cathleen! Love hearing this 🙂
Jill says
Looks like a really delicious pasta salad dish to bring to a picnic this season!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jill! Yep, you might be the hit of the party if you bring this 🙂
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
Everything about this salad sounds good to me! I'd love a big bowl for dinner!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Cynthia! This does make a great dinner salad too...I've done it 🙂
Lisa Huff says
Love that this has pasta and lettuce! Best of both worlds!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Lisa...love hearing you put it like that 🙂
Hayley says
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!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha yes!!! I love hearing that! Thanks...and hope you love it!
Jenni LeBaron says
This looks so fresh and tasty. Perfect for a work-friendly, packable lunch.I especially love the skinny ranch dressing on top!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jenni! Yep, very work-friendly...party-friendly too! 🙂