This BLT Pasta Salad takes everything you love about a classic BLT Sandwich, and turns it into an easy, side dish. You get the crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lettuce, all tossed with pasta and a creamy dressing that ties it all together!
This is one of those pasta salads that works for just about anything! It is perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, or even a quick lunch or dinner when you need something simple. It’s flavorful, and always a hit.
Now that it’s warming up we try to eat dinner outside as much as possible. Our favorite is cooking some meat on the grill, and pairing it with a pasta salad, some grilled veggies, and watermelon.
This Bacon Lettuce Tomato Pasta salad is perfect for adding to your next potluck. You’ll love the creamy dressing, paired with the crispy bacon, and fresh tomatoes!
Why You Should Make This:
- Easy to make: It comes together in just a few minutes of prep, and is ready to eat in less than 30 minutes total!
- Perfect for a Group: This pasta salad is great for BBQs, potlucks, or family dinners.
- Make Ahead Friendly: I’ll share some tips below on how to get the best results for making this ahead, but you can prep the parts separately, to save some time, and have it ready to go when you need it!
- Crowd Favorite: The classic flavor combo of bacon, lettuce, and tomato comes together in such a fun way with this pasta salad. I promise everyone will love it!
Ingredients Needed
This is a quick overview of some of the ingredients you’ll need for this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- Pasta: Use a medium sized pasta, I used cavatappi, I also like rotini, bowtie, penne, or medium shells.
- Bacon: Adds the best salty, crispy flavor and texture to the pasta salad. And is the star of a BLT.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Adds a bright, juicy flavor
- Romaine Lettuce: Adds a nice crunch, and freshness.
- Mayonnaise: The base of the creamy dressing.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a little tang to the dressing.
- Seasonings: Add a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to give just a little depth and flavor to the dressing.
How to make BLT Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Boil water in a large pot, and add in the pasta, cook it according to package directions. Drain the water, and rinse the pasta with cold water to stop it from cooking more.
Step 2: Make the Dressing. Add the mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and other dressing ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk them together. Place the mixture in the fridge if not needed right away.
Step 3: Mix the Pasta Ingredients. Add the pasta, bacon, tomato, and parmesan to a bowl and toss them together. Add most of the dressing (start with 3/4) and toss it all together until everything is well coated. Taste, and adjust the seasonings if needed. Gently fold in the lettuce right before serving.
Tips and Tricks:
- Dressing: I use a very similar dressing in my Creamy Pasta Salad, everyone there recommend making extra dressing, so I made this a bigger batch. If you’re serving immediately you may not need all the dressing, so start with less and add more as you go depending on your personal preferences.
- Add Lettuce Last: We want the lettuce staying crispy and fresh, add the lettuce just before serving. Mix everything else, and chill it if desired, then toss in the lettuce when you’re ready to serve it.
- Customize It: Add extra mix ins for more flavor, I love diced red onion, avocado, cheddar cheese, or even grilled chicken if you want it to be more filling.
Make Ahead Instructions
I recommend making the dressing, chopping the lettuce, and preparing the other ingredients, but keeping them all in separate bowls until you’re ready to serve, or about 30 minutes before you’re ready. The lettuce will wilt over time, and is best added fresh to keep its crunch in the pasta salad!
Storage Instructions
The prepared pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pasta will soak up some of the sauce, and the lettuce will be softer if its made in advanced, but it will still taste yummy.
This BLT Pasta Salad is such a great twist on the classic, and turns it into an easy side dish that everyone will love! It is the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself making again, and again. It’s perfect for serving at a bbq, potluck, or making for lunches throughout the week!
More Pasta Salad Recipes
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Southwest Pasta Salad
- BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
- Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad
If you make this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe please leave a comment and 🌟 rating letting me know what you think! If you post the photo on Instagram, please tag me – I’d love to see what you’re making!
Creamy Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz Medium Pasta Noodles (I used Cavatappi)
- 8 oz Bacon (cooked and chopped)
- 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes (Cut in halves)
- 1/4 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 4 cups Romaine Lettuce (chopped)
For the Creamy Dressing:
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 3 TBS Olive Oil
- 2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1.5 tsp Granulated Sugar (to taste)
- 1.5 tsp Salt (to taste)
- 3/4 tsp Garlic Powder (to taste)
- 3/4 tsp Onion Powder (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta noodles in a large pot of water according to their package directions, until cooked al dente. Drain the water out, and rinse the noodles in cold water. 12 oz Medium Pasta Noodles
- While the pasta is cooking, make sure the bacon is cooked and crumbled, tomatoes are sliced, and parmesan is grated. Chop the lettuce. Set everything aside. 8 oz Bacon, 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes, 1/4 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese, 4 cups Romaine Lettuce
For the Creamy Dressing:
- In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, olive oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Whisk them together till combined. 1 cup Mayonnaise, 3 TBS Olive Oil, 2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar, 1.5 tsp Granulated Sugar, 1.5 tsp Salt, 3/4 tsp Garlic Powder, 3/4 tsp Onion Powder, 1/2 tsp Black Pepper,
- Add the pasta, bacon, tomatoes, and parmesan to a bowl and toss it together. Pour 3/4 of the dressing on top and toss it all together to coat everything with the dressing. Add more dressing if desired, taste it and add more seasonings as desired too.
- When you're ready to serve, toss in the chopped lettuce. If not serving immediately, cover the pasta and place it in the fridge to chill for 1 to 2 hours to let the flavors meddle, then add the lettuce and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Dressing: I use a very similar dressing in my Creamy Pasta Salad, everyone there recommend making extra dressing, so I made this a bigger batch. If you’re serving immediately you may not need all the dressing, so start with less and add more as you go depending on your personal preferences.
- Add Lettuce Last: We want the lettuce staying crispy and fresh, add the lettuce just before serving. Mix everything else, and chill it if desired, then toss in the lettuce when you’re ready to serve it.
- Customize It: Add extra mix ins for more flavor, I love diced red onion, avocado, cheddar cheese, or even grilled chicken if you want it to be more filling.
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