This BLT pasta salad recipe is full of veggies, avocado, pasta and crispy bacon, all tossed in a cool and creamy dressing. The perfect easy meal or side dish that’s great for potlucks.
I love a good pasta salad especially in the summer time, some of my favorites include Greek pasta salad, pesto pasta salad, and this irresistible BLT version.
Sometimes I am in dire need of a quick and easy dinner with minimal fuss. This BLT pasta salad is the perfect example, it’s made with just 7 ingredients and is ready in 20 minutes. It’s the perfect main course or side dish, and is always the first thing to go at a potluck!
How do you make BLT pasta salad?
My kids love anything that involves ranch dressing, and when you combine the flavors of ranch with the classic BLT ingredients (bacon, lettuce and tomato) and pasta, you’ve got a big winner! Add some avocado to the mix for even more flavor. I chop my veggies and cook my bacon while the pasta is boiling; then it’s simply combine the ingredients, toss with dressing and serve!
Tips for BLT Pasta Salad
- You can use pre-cooked bacon and pre-shredded lettuce if you’re looking to save even more time.
- I typically use rotini for this recipe, but any short variety of pasta will work – penne or farfalle are two great options.
- If you don’t have romaine lettuce on hand, iceberg or even baby spinach would be great substitutes.
- Look for firm but ripe avocados so that they don’t get mushy in the salad when tossed.
- No cherry tomatoes? Substitute seeded and chopped regular sized tomatoes instead.
- I recommend serving this dish soon after it’s made so that the lettuce doesn’t wilt and the avocado does not turn brown. If you need to make this in advance, toss the pasta and tomatoes with the dressing then add the bacon, avocado and lettuce right before you plan to eat.
- I typically use a high quality store bought ranch dressing. I prefer the jars of ranch in the refrigerated section of the produce area.
BLT Pasta Salad Variations
While I love this salad as-is, you can add other ingredients to the mix to make it more of a main course meal.
- Protein: Add diced cooked chicken, shrimp, cubed cheddar cheese or ham for a heartier salad.
- Vegetables: You can add diced red onion, black olives or sliced cucumber.
- Herbs: Instead of parsley try chopped dill, green onions or basil.
- Cobb Style: Add chopped deli turkey, hard boiled eggs and crumbled blue cheese.
How long will pasta salad keep in the refrigerator?
Generally speaking, pasta salad will stay fresh for 3 days in the fridge. This particular recipe contains highly perishable ingredients such as avocado and lettuce, which means it’s best served the same day that it’s made.
This BLT pasta salad is especially delicious in the summer when tomatoes are ripe and in season. However, I’ve been known to serve it year round, because it’s a classic flavor combination that can’t be beat!
More great salad options
BLT Pasta Salad Video
BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini or other short pasta
- 1 lb bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 3 cups shredded romaine letuce
- 2 avocados peeled, pitted and diced
- 1 1/2 cups ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions.
- Drain the pasta and run cold water over the pasta until cool.
- Place the pasta in a bowl and toss with dressing. Add the bacon, cherry tomatoes, lettuce and avocado. Stir gently to coat.
- Sprinkle with parsley then serve immediately.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on April 4, 2017 and was updated June 9, 2019 with new content.
Deb says
I make this every time I have leftover bacon! It’s such as good combination of bacon and avacado!
Karly says
Doesn’t get any better then this! Thanks for sharing!
Vicky says
These are like all of my favorite ingredients combined! I enjoy a good pasta salad, but when you add bacon and avocado, you have my attention. This is perfect to serve at those summer gatherings. What a great side dish!
Ivana says
Some of my favourite things altogether! I think I’ll be making this for a picnic potluck.
Kristine says
Delicious! That’s all I can say about this salad. It was easy, refreshing, and loaded with flavor. My peeps devoured it. I’ll make this again, real soon – thanks!
Chris Collins says
What a delicious and easy pasta salad! Perfect for this time of year!
Alexis says
Pasta salads are my favorite, especially during the summer. We are hosting a BBQ in a few weeks, I’ll have to make this.
Roxy says
I’ve never made pasta salad but this recipe sounds so easy!
Alicia says
This sounds like a great dish to pass for our big family get-together/camping trip this weekend. Who doesn’t like a good BLT pasta salad!
Leah says
Bacon plus ranch!!! Yes please I will take the entire bowl!
Madeline Hall says
Pasta salads are the best picnic foods! Love that yours has bacon in it. What could be better?
Francesca says
Looks delicious! The perfect summer side dish!
Denay DeGuzman says
Delicious, refreshing, cool pasta salads are a staple of summer! I enjoy trying out flavorful new recipes, and this BLT pasta salad is one my whole family will love. Thank you for this yummy recipe!
Julia says
This looks super yummy! Pinning this for later 🙂
Rukh AZ says
WOW! It is so colorful and pretty, looks so yummy! Definitely gonna try it out!
Thanks a lot for sharing. xoxo
Rukh AZ,
https://lifewithrukhaz.com/