This **BLT Pasta Salad** offers a delightful twist on the traditional BLT sandwich. The blend of pasta, bacon, fresh vegetables, and dressing creates an incredible flavor profile.
If you’re a bacon enthusiast, you’ll love this BLT wrap and air fryer bacon recipe!
Recipe Details
I absolutely love this BLT Pasta Salad because it’s straightforward, flavorful, and an ideal summer dish to take to any barbecue or event. This recipe reimagines the classic sandwich.
- TASTE: This delightful BLT Pasta Salad combines savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, with a delicious twist from the mayo-ranch dressing.
- TEXTURE: The salad features the crispness of bacon, crunchiness of lettuce, juiciness of tomatoes, and creaminess of mayo, all mixed with al dente rotini pasta and ranch dressing.
- TIME: It can be ready in just 17 minutes.
- EASE: With its simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, this salad can be made quickly whenever the craving strikes.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta- I chose rotini pasta, but you can opt for any small pasta shape.
- Mayonnaise and Ranch- These combine to create a creamy and tangy dressing.
- Lettuce- I prefer romaine; however, feel free to use your favorite type.
- Tomatoes- Roma, cherry, or grape tomatoes all work great.
- Bacon- Both thick-cut and thin-cut bacon are suitable options.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add some more protein- To increase the protein level, include cubed chicken, chopped hard-boiled eggs, or tofu.
- Add other vegetables- You might want to toss in bell peppers, celery, carrots, or spinach to boost the vegetable variety.
- Try another dressing- Consider experimenting with dressings like Caesar, 1000 island, or a vinaigrette for different flavor profiles.
How to Make BLT Pasta Salad
- Cook the bacon. Fry the bacon in a skillet or air fryer until crisp, then chop it into small pieces and place in a large bowl.
- Chop the veggies. Dice the tomatoes, lettuce, and onion, and add them to the bowl with the bacon.
- Cook the pasta. Boil the rotini according to the package instructions, rinse with cold water, drain, and then add to the salad.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and ranch.
- Dress the BLT pasta salad. Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients, toss well, and serve.
Pro Tip: For optimal taste and texture, serve the salad immediately after adding the dressing.
### Recipe Tips
– **Chop the vegetables uniformly:** Cut the veggies into similar sizes so that no single flavor dominates. Small tomatoes can be halved.
– **Make the bacon crispy:** Ensure the bacon is crispy, which will prevent it from becoming soggy due to the tomato juices and dressing.
– **Cook the pasta al dente:** To avoid mushy pasta, cook it al dente for a pleasant texture.
– **Use pasta with ridges:** It’s best to use rotini pasta since its grooves capture the dressing, bacon, and vegetables for easier enjoyment.
### FAQs
– **What is the best type of lettuce for BLT?**
– The top choices are romaine and iceberg, both offering a crisp texture that holds up well with dressing. Romaine has added health benefits, while iceberg provides extra crunch, making both ideal for this salad.
– **What kind of dressing is best?**
– A mayonnaise-based ranch dressing is the perfect match for the ingredients, providing a sweet and tangy creaminess that pairs wonderfully with the bacon and veggies.
### Serving Suggestions
This BLT Pasta Salad is rich, creamy, and utterly delicious, making it a superb side dish to serve alongside meats for a more festive meal.substantial meal, or as part of a diverse salad spread. When serving this pasta salad, you might consider pairing it with Smoked Pork Chops, Ribeye Steak, Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, or Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast for proteins. For salad options, think about enjoying it alongside Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad, Pesto Pasta Salad, Broccoli Cranberry Salad, or Tri-color Pasta Salad. You can also complement it with Focaccia, Sourdough, Rustic Bread, or Brioche Buns. If you’re in the mood for pizza, try it with Margherita Pizza, Chicken Pesto Pizza, Mushroom Arugula Flatbread Pizza, or Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread Pizza.
To make this dish ahead of time, you can cook the bacon and pasta beforehand and keep them in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Assemble the salad just before serving to ensure optimal flavor.
It is advisable to enjoy this BLT Pasta Salad on the day it’s prepared, as the lettuce may lose its crunch after sitting in the dressing. Freezing the salad is not recommended, as it could affect the texture once thawed.
For more delightful pasta salad recipes, consider exploring options like The BEST Tuna Pasta Salad, Greek Chicken Pasta Salad, Chicken Pasta Salad, and Tri-color Pasta Salad.
BLT Pasta Salad
Savory, creamy, and crunchy, this BLT Pasta Salad encompasses everything you love. Give this tasty twist on a classic BLT a try, and you might discover a new favorite!
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Servings: 10Calories: 367kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 1/2 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise 
Instructions
- Chop the cooked bacon into small pieces. For a neater method of obtaining crispy bacon, you might want to try using an air fryer (here’s a recipe).
- Dice the lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. Add these ingredients into a large mixing bowl along with the chopped bacon. 
- Cook the rotini pasta according to the instructions on the package, then cool it by rinsing with cold water, drain it in a colander, and incorporate it into the salad.
- Create the dressing by mixing together ranch dressing and mayonnaise.
- Drizzle the dressing
over the salad components, mix thoroughly, and serve right away to enjoy the freshest crispy and crunchy flavors.
Notes
Serving suggestion- Chipotle Burgers with Avocado Sauce
- Grilled cedar plank salmon
- Grilled BBQ chicken wings
- Barbecue Pork Ribs
Nutrition
Calories:
367kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
38g
|
Protein:
9g
|
Fat:
20g
|
Saturated Fat:
4g
|
Cholesterol:
20mg
|
Sodium:
386mg
|
Potassium:
263mg
|
Fiber:
2g
|
Sugar:
### Nutritional Information
– **Total Fat:** 3 g
– **Vitamin A:** 2172 IU
– **Vitamin C:** 7 mg
– **Calcium:** 27 mg
– **Iron:** 1 mg—
### Additional Information
