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Irresistible BLT Pasta Salad: Your Ultimate Summer Side Dish

Transforming a timeless classic into a sensational summer side, this creamy and crunchy BLT Pasta Salad recipe is an absolute showstopper. It takes all the beloved flavors of the iconic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich and reimagines them in a vibrant, easy-to-make pasta salad. We’ve elevated the traditional “L” by swapping out iceberg lettuce for nutrient-rich baby spinach, and then enriched the mixture with fresh mozzarella cheese, creamy avocados, and bright parsley. Everything is generously coated in a luscious ranch dressing, creating an irresistible blend of textures and tastes. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, picnics, or simply a delightful family meal, this BLT Pasta Salad is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser that guests will rave about.

This BLT Pasta salad recipe in a large glass serving bowl filled with bacon, baby spinach, and tomatoes.

Why This BLT Pasta Salad Will Be Your New Favorite

There’s a reason the BLT sandwich has remained a staple for generations – its simplicity and incredible flavor profile. This pasta salad captures that magic and enhances it, making it even more suitable for gatherings and meal prep. It’s a dish that brings smiles, with its satisfying crunch from the bacon, freshness from the tomatoes and spinach, and the comforting creaminess of the dressing. What makes it truly special is its versatility. You can easily adapt it to suit your family’s preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. It’s not just a recipe; it’s a foundation for endless delicious variations. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a kitchen novice, you’ll find this BLT Pasta Salad incredibly straightforward to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or grand holiday feasts.

Beyond its incredible taste, this pasta salad shines as a practical option. It’s quick to assemble, particularly if you prep ingredients in advance, allowing you more time to enjoy your event or relax. The vibrant colors make it visually appealing, and its robust flavors ensure it stands out on any buffet table. It’s hearty enough to be a light lunch and refreshing enough to complement heavier main courses. This isn’t just another pasta salad; it’s a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients coming together in perfect harmony, all tied together by that iconic, tangy ranch dressing that makes every bite a delight.

The Heart of the Salad: Key Ingredients Explained

Each component of this BLT Pasta Salad plays a vital role in creating its harmonious flavor and texture. Understanding the nuances of each ingredient can help you choose the best options and even inspire creative substitutions.

Pasta: The Perfect Foundation

Choosing the right pasta is crucial for a great pasta salad. We highly recommend using dried pasta over fresh pasta, as dried pasta holds its shape and texture much better when chilled and dressed, preventing it from becoming mushy. Opt for bite-sized shapes that have plenty of nooks and crannies to capture and hold onto that delicious ranch dressing. Excellent choices include spiral pasta (like rotini or fusilli), penne, bowtie (farfalle), mostaccioli, or even classic macaroni. These shapes not only look appealing but also ensure every forkful is packed with flavor.

Bacon: The Crispy, Savory Star

Bacon is undeniably the star of any BLT-inspired dish. The key is to achieve perfectly crispy bacon bits that offer a satisfying crunch without being overly greasy. You can cook bacon in several ways: pan-frying until golden brown and crisp, baking it in the oven for even cooking and minimal mess, or even using an air fryer for a quick method. Once cooked, drain the bacon thoroughly on paper towels and chop it into small, uniform bits. For a convenient shortcut, feel free to use pre-cooked bacon or pre-made bacon bits, though freshly cooked bacon always offers superior flavor and texture.

Tomatoes: Bursts of Freshness

Cherry tomatoes bring vibrant color and sweet, juicy bursts to the salad. Any color or type of cherry tomato will work beautifully; a mix of red, yellow, and orange can make your salad even more visually appealing. We typically halve them to make them easier to eat and to allow their juices to meld with the dressing. If cherry tomatoes aren’t available, other diced tomatoes, such as Roma or grape tomatoes, can be used as a substitute.

Greens: A Vibrant Twist with Spinach

While the “L” in BLT traditionally stands for lettuce, we’ve opted for baby spinach in this recipe. Baby spinach adds a delightful earthiness and a boost of nutrients, and it holds up surprisingly well in a chilled pasta salad compared to more delicate lettuces. If you prefer, you can substitute other leafy greens like peppery arugula for an extra kick or crisp romaine lettuce, ensuring it’s chopped or torn into bite-sized pieces.

Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy Bites

Mozzarella cheese adds a delightful creaminess and a mild, milky flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly. You have several options here: cut mozzarella cheese sticks into bite-sized pieces, cube chunks from a block of mozzarella, use small fresh mozzarella balls (pearls or ciliegine), or even use shredded mozzarella for ease. The choice depends on your preference for texture and presentation.

Avocado: The Creamy Indulgence

Diced avocado introduces a luxurious, creamy texture and healthy fats to the salad, enriching its overall mouthfeel. It’s important to note that avocado tends to brown quickly when exposed to air. Therefore, if you plan to make the salad ahead of time, always add the diced avocado just before serving to maintain its fresh green color and perfect texture. Look for avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure when ripe.

Parsley: Fresh Herbaceous Notes

Fresh parsley is more than just a garnish; it adds a bright, herbaceous note and a pop of green color that enhances the salad’s freshness. Chopped fresh parsley integrates beautifully with the other ingredients, contributing to the overall vibrant flavor profile.

Ranch Dressing: The Unifying Creaminess

The creamy ranch dressing is what brings all these wonderful ingredients together. You can use your favorite store-bought ranch dressing for convenience, or you can elevate the flavor by making your own homemade ranch dressing. Homemade versions often involve a mix, mayonnaise, and buttermilk, allowing you to control the thickness and seasoning. For an extra rich and creamy dressing, consider mixing in about 1/4 cup of sour cream.

A large glass mixing bowl full of ingredients to make this BLT salad recipe with pasta.

Exciting Variations and Flavor Boosters

While the classic BLT Pasta Salad is undeniably delicious on its own, it also serves as a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity. Don’t hesitate to experiment with these ideas to tailor the salad to your taste or to whatever ingredients you have on hand.

More Mix-In Ingredient Ideas:

Red Onion: A small amount of finely diced red onion adds a sharp, piquant flavor that beautifully cuts through the richness of the dressing and bacon.
Peas: Frozen peas, thawed, offer a hint of sweetness and a tender texture.
Bell Pepper: Diced red, yellow, or orange bell peppers contribute a sweet crunch and vibrant color.
Cucumber: For an extra layer of freshness and a crisp bite, add diced cucumber.
Homemade Croutons: Stir in some crunchy croutons just before serving for an added textual dimension, though be mindful they can get soggy if added too early.

Recipe Variations:

Avocado-Infused Dressing: For an ultra-creamy and rich dressing, blend a ripe avocado directly into your ranch dressing. This creates a velvety texture and an even more pronounced avocado flavor throughout the salad.
Hearty Grilled Chicken Addition: Transform this side dish into a substantial main course by adding grilled chicken. Our grilled garlic and Parmesan chicken recipe would be an excellent choice. Once cooked and cooled, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and mix it into the salad along with the other ingredients.
Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a bit of heat, mix some hot sauce or sriracha into your ranch dressing. For an extra fiery punch, you can also include thinly sliced jalapeños or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
Caprese BLT Fusion: Give your pasta salad an Italian twist by transforming it into a Caprese BLT salad. Incorporate fresh mozzarella cheese balls, torn fresh basil leaves, and a delicate drizzle of balsamic glaze just before serving. This adds a sophisticated and aromatic dimension.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Perfect BLT Pasta Salad

Making this BLT Pasta Salad is incredibly straightforward, requiring just a few simple steps. Follow these instructions to create a delicious and visually appealing dish that everyone will adore.

Cook the Pasta: Begin by cooking your chosen pasta according to package directions until it reaches an al dente texture. This ensures the pasta is tender yet still has a slight bite, preventing it from becoming mushy in the salad. Once cooked, immediately drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold water. This stops the cooking process and removes excess starch, which helps prevent the noodles from sticking together. Transfer the cooled, drained pasta to a large mixing bowl.
Prepare the Bacon Bits: While the pasta is cooking, prepare your bacon. Cut the bacon strips into approximately 1/2-inch pieces. Cook these pieces in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until they are perfectly crispy and golden brown. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon bits, allowing excess grease to drain back into the pan. Transfer the crispy bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any remaining fat. Once cooled, the bacon will become even crispier.
Combine Salad Ingredients: To the mixing bowl containing the cooled pasta, add the crispy bacon bits, halved cherry tomatoes, cubed mozzarella cheese, fresh baby spinach, diced avocados (remember to add these just before serving if making ahead), and the chopped fresh parsley.
Add the Dressing: Pour the desired amount of ranch dressing over all the salad ingredients in the bowl. Gently toss everything together using a large spoon or spatula, ensuring that every piece of pasta and every ingredient is thoroughly and evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate the BLT Pasta Salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly. Once ready, give it another quick toss and serve. Enjoy this delightful and refreshing salad!

A large glass bowl full of cooked spiral pasta noodles.

Essential Tips for the Best BLT Pasta Salad

Achieving the perfect BLT Pasta Salad goes beyond just combining ingredients. A few key techniques can elevate your dish from good to outstanding:

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente pasta is crucial for pasta salad. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and lose its appealing texture when chilled and mixed with dressing. Follow package instructions closely and err on the side of slightly undercooking if unsure.
Rinse Pasta with Cold Water: After cooking, rinsing pasta under cold water serves two important purposes: it immediately stops the cooking process, and it washes away excess starch, preventing the noodles from sticking together. This ensures your pasta remains distinct and fresh in the salad.
Ensure Bacon is Crispy and Drained: Soggy or greasy bacon can ruin the texture of the salad. Cook your bacon until it’s truly crispy, and always drain it well on paper towels to remove excess fat. Chopping it once cooled helps maintain its crunch.
Add Avocado Last for Freshness: As mentioned, avocados can brown quickly. If preparing the salad in advance, keep the diced avocado separate and gently fold it in just before you plan to serve. A squeeze of lemon or lime juice can also help prevent browning.
Chill Thoroughly: A cold pasta salad is a refreshing pasta salad. Allow at least 30 minutes to an hour for the salad to chill in the refrigerator before serving. This allows the flavors to deepen and the ingredients to properly meld.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, always taste your salad. You might find it needs a little extra salt, pepper, or even a touch more ranch dressing to achieve the perfect balance of flavors.
Quality Ingredients Matter: Since this salad relies on simple, fresh ingredients, the quality of each component makes a noticeable difference. Use fresh, ripe tomatoes, good quality bacon, and fresh spinach for the best results.

Planning Ahead: Make-Ahead & Storage Solutions

This BLT Pasta Salad is a fantastic dish for meal prepping or preparing for gatherings, thanks to its make-ahead friendly nature. Proper storage ensures it stays delicious and fresh.

Make-Ahead Instructions:

You can prep most of this salad up to 24 hours in advance. Cook the pasta and bacon bits, chop the tomatoes and mozzarella, and prepare the ranch dressing. Combine all these ingredients in a large bowl, mix well, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, to ensure the best texture and appearance, we highly recommend holding off on adding the baby spinach and diced avocados until just before you are ready to serve. Spinach can wilt and avocados can brown and become mushy if added too early. If you want to get a head start even earlier, you can cook the pasta and bacon bits up to two days in advance and store them separately in the fridge.

Storing Leftovers:

Store any leftover BLT Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. While the spinach may soften slightly and the avocado might show some browning, the flavors will remain excellent. Give it a gentle stir before enjoying your leftovers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes, absolutely! This BLT Pasta Salad is a fantastic make-ahead option. You can prepare most of the salad components the day before, combining the cooked pasta, bacon bits, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and ranch dressing. However, for optimal freshness, vibrant color, and texture, it’s best to keep the baby spinach and diced avocados separate and add them just before you plan to serve the salad. This prevents the spinach from wilting and the avocado from turning brown or becoming mushy.

What is the best pasta to use for pasta salad?

When preparing pasta salad, it’s always recommended to use dry pasta rather than fresh pasta. Dry pasta maintains its firm texture better when chilled and dressed, whereas fresh pasta can become too soft or mushy. The best shapes for pasta salad are those that are bite-sized and have grooves or openings to trap the dressing, ensuring every bite is flavorful. Excellent choices include spiral pasta (like rotini or fusilli), farfalle (bowtie), macaroni, small shells, or penne.

Do I have to rinse the pasta noodles after cooking?

Yes, it’s highly recommended to rinse your pasta noodles under cold water after cooking them for a pasta salad. Rinsing serves two main purposes: it immediately stops the cooking process, preventing the pasta from becoming overcooked and mushy, and it washes away excess surface starches. Removing these starches prevents the noodles from sticking together as they cool, ensuring a light and separate consistency for your salad.

BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Card

This creamy, crunchy recipe for BLT pasta salad is based off of the classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. We also add in mozzarella cheese, avocados and parsley, then cover the whole thing in ranch dressing for an easy and irresistible summer side dish.

Prep Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

Yields: 12 people

Ingredients

16 ounces pasta, cooked al dente
1 pound bacon, or 1 ½ cups prepared bacon bits
2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed, pearls, or sliced cheese sticks
6 ounces baby spinach
2 large avocados, diced
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
1 cup ranch dressing

Instructions

Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions, then run cold water over the cooked pasta to cool. Transfer cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
Meanwhile, cut bacon into 1/2″ slices. Cook in a saute pan over medium high heat until crispy, then remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel. Chop into bits once cooled.
To the mixing bowl with the cooked pasta, add the bacon bits, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, spinach, diced avocados, and chopped parsley.
Pour the ranch dressing over the salad ingredients and mix until everything is evenly coated.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Notes

Storing leftovers: Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Make-ahead tips: To make ahead, leave out the spinach and avocados and mix everything else together up to 24 hours in advance. You can also cook the pasta and bacon bits up to 2 days in advance and store them in the fridge.

Nutrition (Estimated per serving)

Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.

Course / Cuisine

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

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You will absolutely love this quick and easy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe that is perfect for any summer gathering or potluck. It’s brimming with crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, tender pasta, and more, all generously coated in a rich and creamy ranch dressing. Simple to prepare and always a hit, this salad is destined to become a staple in your recipe collection!