BLT Pasta Salad
This creamy BLT Pasta Salad is loaded with crispy bacon, tender farfalle pasta, fresh romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a homemade ranch dressing. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for potlucks, BBQs, picnics, or weeknight dinners.
You might also enjoy…my Simple Tuna Salad, White Potato Salad and, Loaded Burger Bowl recipes next!
If you’re looking for an easy side dish that’s guaranteed to disappear at every cookout, picnic, or family gathering, this BLT Pasta Salad is the recipe you need. It’s packed with crispy bacon, tender pasta, fresh romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy ranch dressing that coats every bite. It’s everything you love about a classic BLT sandwich turned into a hearty pasta salad.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how simple it is. There aren’t any complicated ingredients or fancy techniques! Just fresh ingredients that work together perfectly. Even better, this is one of those recipes that actually tastes better after it’s had time to chill in the refrigerator, making it the perfect make-ahead dish for busy days.
Why You’ll Love This BLT Pasta Salad
There are plenty of pasta salad recipes out there, but this one has become a favorite in our house for several reasons.
- Easy to make with simple ingredients.
- Perfect for making ahead.
- Great for potlucks, cookouts, and family reunions.
- Loaded with crispy bacon in every bite.
- Creamy homemade ranch dressing.
- Easily customized with your favorite pasta shape.
- Delicious served alongside grilled meats, burgers, sandwiches, or Meatball Subs!
The combination of crunchy lettuce, sweet tomatoes, smoky bacon, and creamy ranch dressing makes every bite taste fresh and satisfying.
The Secret to Great Pasta Salad
One small step makes a surprisingly big difference in this recipe.
Instead of waiting for the pasta to cool completely, toss the freshly drained pasta with the ranch dressing while it’s still warm. Warm pasta absorbs flavor much better than cold pasta, allowing the dressing to soak into the noodles instead of simply coating the outside.
As the pasta cools, it continues absorbing the creamy dressing, creating a more flavorful pasta salad from the inside out. By the time everything has chilled, every bite is seasoned instead of just the surface of the pasta.
It’s a simple technique, but once you try it, you’ll probably start making all of your pasta salads this way.
Make-Ahead Recipe
Unlike some side dishes that are best served immediately, this BLT Pasta Salad is one recipe you should plan ahead for.
After everything is mixed together, the salad needs plenty of time to chill before serving. During this time, the flavors blend together, the dressing thickens slightly, and the pasta finishes absorbing all that delicious ranch flavor.
I recommend making this recipe at least 2 hours before serving, but if you have the time, making it the night before is even better. The extra time allows all the flavors to come together beautifully.
Just before serving, give the salad a quick stir. If the pasta has absorbed a little too much dressing overnight, simply stir in a splash of milk to loosen everything back up.
Ingredient Notes
One of the reasons this BLT Pasta Salad is so popular is because every ingredient plays an important role.
Farfalle Pasta
Bow tie pasta is one of my favorite choices because it holds onto the creamy dressing while adding a fun texture. The ridges and folds catch bits of bacon and dressing, giving every bite plenty of flavor.
Don’t have farfalle? No problem! Elbow macaroni works wonderfully too. Rotini and medium shells are also great substitutions if that’s what you already have in your pantry.
Bacon
The bacon is truly the star of this recipe, so using good-quality bacon makes a noticeable difference.
For convenience, keep Hormel Precooked Bacon in the freezer. It’s one of my favorite kitchen shortcuts. I simply take out the slices I need, and I’m ready to go without thawing & cooking an entire package of raw bacon.
If you prefer cooking fresh bacon, that works perfectly too. Just make sure it’s nice and crispy before chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
Tip: Add the bacon to the pasta salad right before serving! This keeps the bacon nice and crispy. 🙂
Romaine Lettuce
Fresh romaine adds the classic “L” in BLT while bringing a crisp, refreshing crunch.
The most important tip is making sure your lettuce is completely dry before adding it to the salad. Excess moisture can water down the dressing and make the pasta salad soggy over time.
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweetness and color.
If your tomatoes are especially small, you can leave them whole. Otherwise, cutting them in half makes the salad easier to eat and helps distribute the tomato flavor throughout every serving.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Instead of using bottled dressing, this recipe combines milk, sour cream, and a ranch seasoning packet to create a creamy dressing that’s fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make.
It comes together in just a minute and coats the pasta beautifully.
How to Make BLT Pasta Salad
This BLT Pasta Salad comes together in just a few easy steps. The hardest part is waiting for it to chill before digging in! Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts and printable instructions.
Make the Ranch Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, sour cream, and ranch seasoning packet until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Place it in the refrigerator while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Chilling the dressing gives the flavors a chance to blend while you cook the pasta and bacon.
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of generously salted water, 2 tablespoons is what I use, to a rolling boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente, tender with just a slight bite.
Once the pasta is finished cooking, drain it well, but don’t rinse it. While it’s still warm, immediately add it to the prepared ranch dressing and stir until every piece of pasta is coated. Warm pasta absorbs the dressing much better than cold pasta, giving the finished salad even more flavor.
Cook the Bacon
While the pasta cooks, fry the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease, then let it cool slightly before roughly chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
If you’re looking for a time-saving shortcut, precooked bacon works great too. I like keeping Hormel Precooked Bacon in my freezer so I can crisp up only what I need.
Add the bacon to the pasta salad right before serving! This keeps the bacon nice and crispy.
Add the Fresh Ingredients
Allow the dressed pasta to cool before gently folding in the chopped romaine lettuce, and cherry tomatoes. Mixing everything together after the pasta has cooled helps keep the lettuce crisp and fresh.
Chill Before Serving
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad until it’s completely chilled. This step is important! As the salad rests, the dressing thickens slightly and the flavors have time to blend together.
Just before serving, give the salad a good stir and add in the bacon. If the pasta has absorbed some of the dressing, simply mix in a splash of milk to bring it back to a creamy consistency.
Enjoy!
Serve your BLT Pasta Salad cold alongside burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, barbecue, sandwiches, or your favorite summer meals. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for cookouts, potlucks, family gatherings, and picnics.
Tips for the Best BLT Pasta Salad
- A few simple tips can make the difference between a good pasta salad and a great one.
- Cook the pasta just until al dente. Overcooked pasta can become mushy after chilling in the refrigerator.
- Salt your pasta water well. This is your first opportunity to season the pasta itself.
- Mix the dressing with the warm pasta while it’s freshly drained so the noodles absorb more flavor.
- Don’t add the lettuce until the pasta has cooled. This helps keep it crisp instead of wilted.
- Use freshly cooked crispy bacon whenever possible for the best texture. Add bacon to the pasta salad right before serving.
- Finally, don’t rush the chilling time. This recipe truly shines after it’s had plenty of time to cool in the refrigerator.
Easy Ways to Customize This BLT Pasta Salad
One of the best things about this BLT Pasta Salad is how easy it is to make your own. While we love it exactly as written, there are plenty of simple ways to change it up depending on what you have in your refrigerator.
Swap the pasta. If you don’t have farfalle on hand, elbow macaroni is an excellent substitute. Rotini, medium shells, penne, or cavatappi also hold the creamy dressing well.
Add cheese. Cubed cheddar or shredded sharp cheddar adds another layer of flavor that pairs perfectly with the bacon and ranch dressing.
Mix in avocado. Dice a ripe avocado and stir it in just before serving for a creamy twist. Keep in mind that avocado is best added fresh since it can brown during storage.
Include extra vegetables. Chopped cucumbers, diced red onion, sliced green onions, or even a little sweet corn all work well in this recipe.
Give it a little heat. Sprinkle in freshly cracked black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños if your family enjoys a little spice.
No matter how you customize it, the creamy ranch dressing and crispy bacon are what make this pasta salad such a crowd favorite.
It’s also hearty enough to enjoy as a light lunch on its own. I love making a big batch at the beginning of the week because it makes grabbing lunch quick and easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If the dressing thickens after sitting overnight, simply stir in a splash of milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
You can, but I really prefer the homemade dressing made with milk, sour cream, and ranch seasoning mix. It has a fresher flavor and gives you more control over the consistency. If you would like, substitute with 2 cups of ranch dressing.
Yes! If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, simply dice two or three medium tomatoes. Just be aware that larger tomatoes contain more moisture, so remove some of the seeds before adding them to the salad.
Storage Tips
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate promptly.
Before serving leftovers, give the salad a good stir. If it seems a little dry, add a tablespoon or two of milk and mix until the dressing becomes creamy again.
Because this recipe contains fresh lettuce, it’s best enjoyed within a few days for the freshest flavor and texture.
My Favorite Shortcut
One shortcut I use in a pinch to make this recipe is Hormel Precooked Bacon.
I keep a package in the freezer so I always have bacon ready to use. Instead of thawing and cooking an entire package of raw bacon, I simply take out the slices I need and crisp them up. It saves time, creates less mess, and makes throwing this pasta salad together much easier on busy days.
Little kitchen shortcuts like this make homemade meals much more realistic during a busy week.
Now let’s get cooking! The full printable recipe with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions is waiting for you in the recipe card below.
BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, sour cream, and ranch seasoning mix until smooth. Refrigerate while preparing the remaining ingredients.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the farfalle according to the package directions until al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, fry the bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, allow it to cool slightly, then roughly chop.
- Drain the cooked pasta well. While the pasta is still warm, immediately toss it with the prepared ranch dressing until evenly coated.
- Allow the pasta to cool, then stir in the romaine lettuce, and cherry tomatoes.
- Cover and refrigerate until completely chilled. Before serving add in the chopped bacon. Enjoy!
Notes
- Mixing the dressing with the warm pasta helps the pasta absorb more flavor.
- Be sure the lettuce is completely dry to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- For the best texture, serve well chilled.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving. If the pasta absorbs too much dressing, add a splash of milk to refresh the salad.
