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BLT Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 15 minutes, feeds a crowd, and PERFECT for potlucks and parties. Creamy ranch dressing perfectly coats the pasta and BACON. Guaranteed family FAVORITE!
Easy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
This BLT pasta salad screams summertime picnics, potlucks, and casual backyard get-togethers from Memorial Day to Fourth of July to Labor Day.
It’s easy, ready in 15 minutes, feeds a crowd, and has all the flavors of a traditional BLT minus the bread. Insert pasta.
I love the romaine lettuce that’s woven through the tender pasta, along with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp bacon, and green onions. To save time, I use precooked bacon that I simply zap in the microwave for a minute before dicing, but you can make it the old-fashioned way if you prefer.
Everything is tossed in zesty, creamy ranch dressing that’s spiked with a hint of barbecue sauce. The dressing is perfect and ties this family-friendly bow tie pasta salad together.
What’s in BLT Pasta Salad?
To make this bacon ranch pasta salad recipe, you’ll need:
- Bowtie pasta
- Romaine lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cooked bacon
- Green onions
- Ranch dressing
- Barbecue sauce
- Black pepper
How to Make BLT Pasta Salad
To make this bacon ranch pasta salad, you first need to cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions, drain, and add to a large bowl. Then, add the lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, green onions, and toss to combine.
In a separate bowl, add the ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, and pepper and stir to combine. Evenly drizzle over the bacon ranch pasta salad. If necessary, add additional ranch as desired to evenly coat the BLT pasta salad.
This BLT Pasta salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the lettuce wilts the longer it sits in the ranch dressing. If you want to make this easy pasta salad ahead of time, I suggest prepping the pasta and veggies and storing them separately in the fridge until you’re ready to make the salad.
What Type of Bacon Should I Use?
You can use any type of bacon you’d like — turkey bacon, regular bacon, and any flavored bacon is fine. And if you don’t eat meat, you can omit the bacon and still make a delicious pasta salad!
Can I Use Another Type of Pasta?
Yep, feel free to use any pasta you have on hand. Whole wheat pasta would work well in this recipe too, I just didn’t have any.
How Long Does BLT Pasta Salad Last?
Because this BLT pasta salad contains fresh tomatoes and lettuce, it’s best eaten within 24 hours of making it.
After that, the veggies start to wilt and the pasta softens.
Tips for Making Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
If you cook the bacon yourself (i.e. don’t buy the pre-cooked stuff like I did), you may want to save some of the drippings and stir a tablespoon or two into the BLT pasta salad. Bacon lovers will go crazy for it!
And if you don’t have any cherry tomatoes on hand, you can use another type. Just make sure to dice the tomato fairly small so it’s easy to eat with the bow tie pasta.
Depending on how “saucy” you want your BLT pasta salad to be, you may need to add a little more dressing than the recipe calls for.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound (8 ounces) uncooked farfalle (bowtie) pasta
- about 6 cups romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cooked bacon, diced small
- 4 green onions, sliced into thin rounds
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing, or more if desired
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and add to a large bowl.
- Add the lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, green onions, and toss to combine; set aside.
- To a small bowl, add the ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, pepper, stir to combine, and evenly drizzle over the salad. If necessary, add additional ranch as desired to evenly coat the salad.
- Serve immediately after dressed. Salad is best fresh.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 345Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 662mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 3gSugar: 7gProtein: 15g
More Pasta Salad Recipes:
The Best Pasta Salad Recipes – There’s something for everyone in this collection of FAST and EASY pasta salad recipes!! Whether you need something to bring to a potluck or picnic, or are in need of a no-fuss weeknight meal the whole family will enjoy, these recipes have you covered!!
Club Sandwich Pasta Salad – All your favorite club sandwich ingredients in an EASY pasta salad!! Turkey, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese with ranch!
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad — Calling all pickle fans, you’re going to love this creamy pasta salad with crunchy dill pickles in every bite! Along with cubes of cheese and crumbled bacon, this pasta salad will be the star of your next picnic, potluck, barbecue, or summer holiday! FAST, EASY, and IRRESISTIBLE!
Easy Italian Chicken Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 30 minutes, perfect for a hassle-free family meal, and makes a big batch so you can have planned leftovers!! A super FLEXIBLE recipe based on what vegetables you have on hand!!
Mandarin Orange Chicken Pasta Salad – EASY, ready in 30 minutes, and packed with Asian-inspired flavors!! Juicy sesame chicken, pasta, and lots of healthy vegetables!
Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad — Big juicy chicken chunks and texture galore from the rainbow of crispy veggies! Fast, easy, fresh and healthy!! Great for picnics, potlucks, and easy dinners!!
Taco Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!
Ravioli and Summer Vegetable Spinach Salad — Crisp-tender zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and chickpeas over spinach with cheesy ravioli and a dijon vinaigrette! A healthy yet hearty salad that takes advantage of summer!
Garden Fresh Tortellini Pasta Salad – Juicy tomatoes, cucumbers and corn with creamy avocado, basil and parmesan tossed in lemon vinaigrette with cheese tortellini! Healthy, easy, ready in 15 minutes!
Italian Chicken Pasta Salad – Easy, ready in 20 minutes, and healthy! Bursting with fresh flavors from juicy tomatoes, cucumber, basil, parmesan, and tender chicken tossed in a tangy lemon vinaigrette!
Smoky Chicken, Peppers, and Spinach Pasta Salad — Juicy chicken, crisp bell peppers and pasta with smoked paprika! Fast, easy, healthy and a hit with everyone! Great for picnics, potlucks, or easy weeknight dinners!
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad — The BEST version of a chicken Caesar salad because there’s tender pasta, too!! EASY, ready in 20 minutes, makes a big batch, and a guaranteed family FAVORITE!!
Originally posted July 24, 2017 and reposted on September 1, 2022 with updated text.
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