The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Get ready to dig into a delicious twist on the classic pasta salad! Our BLT pasta salad is loaded with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, fresh lettuce, and tender pasta, all tossed in a creamy dressing.
It costs approximately $13.24 to make this salad. The recipe makes eight servings and costs about $1.65 per serving.
We love serving this salad alongside our Grilled BBQ Chicken Breasts or Best Grilled Hamburgers.
BLT Pasta Salad
This recipe combines two classic recipes, BLT sandwiches, and pasta salad, into one epic recipe that will surely be your favorite side dish. BLT Pasta Salad is the summertime favorite that we make on repeat.
The light and creamy dressing with a zesty kick from the ranch dressing packet is mixed with pasta, juicy tomatoes, and crispy bacon. It is a flavor explosion in every bite. Serve it as a side dish, light dinner, or easy weekday lunch. The salad comes together quickly and easily.
This BLT pasta salad recipe is perfect for a summer barbecue, potluck, or a fun weekday meal. This salad will be the star of the show. So grab a fork, kick back, and savor the flavors of this mouth-watering dish!
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- 1 box (16 oz) Rotini pasta – $0.98
- 12 slices of bacon – $3.84
- 1-pint grape tomatoes – $2.88
- 2 cups romaine lettuce – $0.56
- 1 small red onion – $1.18
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese – $1.67
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or dill – $0.22
- 1 oz package of dry ranch dressing mix – $0.50
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise – $1.41
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. Check out Budget Recipes Explained to learn more about how we price our recipes. The pricing for this recipe was updated in April 2023.
How To Make BLT Pasta Salad
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- First, whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. When finished, set it in the fridge.
- Then, cook the pasta, following the directions on the box.
- Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water.
- Next, cook the bacon until crispy and set it on a paper towel when finished.
- Add the vegetables, cheese, and herbs in a large bowl, followed by the pasta and bacon. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss to combine.
- Finally, garnish the salad with the remaining bacon and herbs and serve immediately.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Add diced avocado to the pasta salad to make it more flavorful and nutritious. The creamy avocado pairs well with the smoky bacon and juicy tomatoes.
- Grill the bacon and tomatoes before adding them to the pasta salad to give it a smoky, charred flavor. This is an excellent option if you want to add some extra depth of flavor to the dish.
- You can omit the cubed cheese if you’d like.
Storage Tips
SERVE: You can keep the pasta salad out for no longer than two hours or about one hour if served outdoors during the summer before it needs to be refrigerated.
STORE: Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Note that the lettuce may wilt slightly if not eaten right away.
FREEZE: This recipe does not freeze well, so we do not recommend freezing it.
Recipe FAQs
Our BLT Pasta Salad recipe has … calories per serving. For complete nutritional value regarding this recipe, please see the information at the bottom of the recipe card.
You can make this the day before to allow the flavors to marry. However, do not add the tomatoes and lettuce until you are ready to serve.
Yes, you will want to rinse the pasta after cooking it. First, rinse the pasta in cold water to stop the cooking process. Cool pasta is best when making pasta salad, as warm pasta absorbs too much of the dressing and can become mushy.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Ask your little one to help by counting the number of ingredients as you pour them into the mixing bowl.
Ages 4-5: Your child can practice measuring skills by pre-measuring the dressing ingredients. You can also have them whisk together the dressing ingredients.
Ages 6-8: Teach your child how to cook pasta. This will be a great skill to learn at a young age to help in other recipes, like making Mac and Cheese on their own!
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
This side dish is affordable for feeding a crowd all summer or whenever you need a delicious salad.
More Salads
- Cherry Salad
- Mexican Fruit Salad
- Dorito Taco Salad
- Mexican Pasta Salad
- Gluten-Free Pasta Salad
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Egg Salad Sandwich
- Large-Batch Chicken Pasta Salad
- Deli Mac Salad
BLT Pasta Salad
Recipe Cost 13.24 Serving Cost 1.65Equipment
- large pot
- Colander
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- measuring cups
- mixing bowls
- mixing spoon
- whisk
Ingredients
- 16 oz box rotini pasta cooked, drained, and rinsed in cold water
- 12 slices bacon cooked and roughly chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- 2 cups romaine lettuce thinly sliced
- 1 small ½ cup red onion, diced
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese cut into cubes
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or dill chopped
DRESSING:
- 1 oz package dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
MAKE DRESSING:
- Start by whisking the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl and placing it in the refrigerator while you prepare the remaining pasta salad ingredients.
COOK PASTA AND BACON:
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, drain, and rinse under cold water.
- Next, cook the bacon until crispy, then let it cool on a paper towel.
ASSEMBLE PASTA SALAD:
- In a large bowl, add the vegetables, cheese, and herbs, reserving some parsley for garnish.
- Add the cooked pasta and bacon, reserving some bacon for garnish, and stir everything together until well combined.
- Pour the chilled dressing over the pasta salad and toss to coat evenly.
TO FINISH:
- Garnish the salad with the reserved bacon and herbs, if desired.
- Serve immediately or store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Note that the lettuce may wilt slightly if not eaten right away.
Chenee says
This looks so good! I love BLT anything, so I can’t wait to try this one.
Kim says
I made this using tri colored pasta because it was all that I had, but it still came out so good! I really enjoyed all the bold flavors.
Casey says
Putting the dressing in the refrigerator while you prep the rest of the salad makes a huge difference. I loved this tip.
Elizabeth says
This is the perfect recipe to bring to the next summer potluck I go to! I’d love to experiment with different pasta shapes as well as different types of bacon too.
Dana Sandonato says
Absolutely love this idea for a pasta salad. It’s so refreshing and tasty!