BLT Pasta Salad

This BLT Pasta Salad is sure to become your new summer BBQ favorite! It’s got all the fixings of a classic sandwich: crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lettuce. But instead of bread, we’ve added tender pasta and a creamy homemade dressing for a delicious twist.

Why I Love This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Summer cookouts aren’t complete without a cold pasta salad! They make such easy meals and use the simplest of ingredients. And since I love me a classic BLT sandwich, I thought, why not turn it into a pasta salad?

This BLT pasta salad features the iconic trio of bacon, lettuce, and tomato, but the real flavor comes from everything else. We’re talking perfectly cooked pasta, fresh veggies, sharp cheddar, and a creamy dressing that ties it all together.

Enjoy it as a light lunch, a side dish, or bring it to your next picnic or BBQ. No matter the occasion, this BLT pasta salad is sure to be a hit!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Salad:

• Short-type pasta: Rotini pasta, bowtie, and penne are great options!
• Cherry tomatoes: Juicy tomatoes add a burst of flavor and color to the salad.
• Bacon: Make sure your bacon is cooked and crumbled before making the salad!
• Lettuce: Romaine lettuce, butter, or iceberg would all taste great.
• Red onion: Adds a bit of bite and crunch to the salad.
• Cheddar cheese (optional): You’re welcome to add cubed cheddar cheese if you wish!

For the Dressing:

• Mayonnaise: The base of this creamy dressing.
• Greek yogurt: I like to add Greek yogurt to the mayo for a healthier option.
• White vinegar: Every dressing needs some acidity! You can also use lemon juice instead.
• Dijon mustard: Adds a little extra kick of flavor to the pasta salad dressing.
• Seasoning: You’ll need salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, or swap the Italian dressing for dried dill or dried parsley.

How to Make BLT Pasta Salad

*Before you go ahead with this recipe, make sure you’ve got your cooked bacon cumbles ready to go!

1. Cook the Pasta

To start, cook your pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Then drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside to use later.

2. Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, Greek yogurt, vinegar, mustard, garlic powder, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

3. Assemble the Salad

Now in a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, crumbled bacon, chopped lettuce, red onion, and cheddar cheese (if using).

4. Toss & Serve

Now let’s toss your tasty pasta salad!

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly. You may not need to use all of the dressing, so start with half and add more as desired.

Serve it right away to keep that lettuce nice and crisp! If you’re prepping ahead, just keep the lettuce and dressing separate and toss them together right before serving for the freshest results.

Enjoy!

What to Pair with BLT Pasta Salad

You can serve this pasta salad as a main course or as a side, accompanied by a protein of your choice. For summer cookouts, try it with my Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Marinade or these Ninja Foodi Grill Chicken Drumsticks. So good!

I also recommend these Best Damn Smash Burgers with a side of my Best Damn Instant Pot Baked Beans.

Storage Directions

Store any leftover BLT salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The dressing may separate, so be sure to shake or stir before serving.

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