BLT Pasta Salad

The beauty of this dish is that its flavors meld and improve after a few hours in the refrigerator. Making this BLT pasta salad ahead means you have a cool, ready-to-eat meal waiting, with just the lettuce added for freshness before serving. It’s the kind of kitchen magic I love most—a little planning upfront that pays off with a stress-free, delicious meal later.

I think we’ve all been there. It’s a warm afternoon, the sun is shining, and the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven. You need something that feels like a meal but eats like a treat. That’s where this BLT pasta salad comes in. It takes everything we adore about the classic sandwich—the smoky bacon, the juicy tomatoes, the crisp lettuce—and turns it into a shareable, fork-friendly feast. It’s the ultimate best pasta salad for potlucks, picnics, or just a simple, satisfying dinner that doesn’t heat up the whole kitchen. Simple ingredients, warm memories. This is comfort food, made easy.

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Ingredients List

This BLT pasta salad starts with a handful of straightforward ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 pound short pasta, like rotini, fusilli, or farfalle
• 1 pound thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
• ½ small red onion, finely diced
• Fresh chives, for garnish (optional)

For the Creamy Tomato Dressing:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ⅓ cup tomato paste
• ¼ cup buttermilk (or whole milk)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Smart Swaps & Tweaks:

• Pasta: Use any short shape you love. For a gluten-free BLT pasta salad, your favorite gluten-free pasta works perfectly.
• Bacon: For a lighter version, use turkey bacon. For a vegetarian twist, crispy chickpeas or smoked tempeh make a fantastic stand-in.
• Dressing: Swap the buttermilk for plain yogurt or sour cream for extra tang. If you’re out of tomato paste, ⅓ cup of ketchup can work in a pinch, though the flavor will be sweeter.

Timing

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes (for pasta and bacon)
• Total Time: 35 minutes, plus optional chilling time

Honestly, the active time is less than most weeknight dinners. And since this cold pasta salad actually gets better as it sits, you can consider that chilling time a secret ingredient for deeper flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s walk through making this creamy, dreamy salad. It’s all about layering flavors and textures.

1. Cook the Pasta & Bacon.
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente—it should have a slight bite. Drain it well and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking. This helps prevent a gummy salad. While the pasta cooks, lay your bacon strips in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until crisp. Let it drain on paper towels, then chop. Baking the bacon is my hands-off method; it frees you up for other tasks and renders the fat beautifully.

2. Whisk the Dreamy Dressing.
In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, tomato paste, buttermilk, apple cider vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth, creamy, and a gorgeous rosy color. Taste it! This is your moment. Adjust the salt, pepper, or a splash of vinegar until it sings. This dressing is what transforms a good pasta salad into the best pasta salad.

3. Assemble with Care.
In your largest mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, most of the chopped bacon (save a handful for garnish), the halved tomatoes, and diced red onion. Pour about three-quarters of the creamy tomato dressing over the top. Using a large rubber spatula or spoon, gently fold everything together until every piece of pasta is coated. Add more dressing if you like it extra creamy. I always hold a little back to adjust at the end.

4. Chill & Serve.
For the best flavor, cover the bowl and let your BLT pasta salad chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This allows the pasta to soak up the dressing and the flavors to become best friends. Right before serving, fold in the chopped romaine lettuce to keep it crisp and vibrant. Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with the reserved bacon and fresh chives, and dig in.

Nutritional Information

A serving of this BLT pasta salad (approximately 1 ½ cups) provides roughly:

• Calories: 480
• Protein: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fat: 30g
• Fiber: 3g

It’s a satisfying meal that balances carbs, protein, and healthy fats from the bacon and mayo-based dressing. The tomatoes add a boost of vitamin C and lycopene, while the romaine offers fiber and folate. For salad recipes healthy enough for a main course, this one delivers on flavor and staying power.

Equipment Needed

You don’t need anything fancy for this BLT pasta salad. A regular kitchen, regular time, great results.

• A large pot for boiling pasta
• A baking sheet for the bacon (or a skillet if you prefer stovetop)
• A large mixing bowl (the bigger, the better for folding)
• A medium bowl for whisking the dressing
• A colander for draining
• Measuring cups and spoons
• A sharp knife and cutting board

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. The Ultimate Make-Ahead Meal: This cold pasta salad is purpose-built for planning. Make it in the morning or even the day before for a no-fuss lunch or dinner.
2. Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: It’s a guaranteed hit at potlucks, BBQs, and family gatherings. The familiar BLT profile appeals to everyone, from kids to grandparents.
3. Customizable to Your Kitchen: Use what you have! Swap in different pasta, adjust the dressing tang, or add extra veggies like avocado or cucumber.
4. More Than a Side Dish: With its hearty portions of pasta and bacon, this BLT pasta salad stands proudly as a complete, satisfying main course.
5. Food That Feels Like Home: It’s nostalgic, comforting, and utterly delicious—the kind of recipe you’ll return to all season long.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

Want to lighten things up? This BLT pasta salad is wonderfully adaptable.

• Gluten-Free: Use your preferred gluten-free pasta. Many brown rice or chickpea pastas hold up beautifully in cold salads.
• Dairy-Free: Replace the buttermilk with unsweetened almond milk or oat milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice.
• Lighter Dressing: Substitute half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. It adds protein and tang while cutting calories.
• Higher Protein: Add a can of drained and rinsed white beans or a couple of cups of shredded rotisserie chicken. For another protein-packed, family-friendly meal, check out my Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap.
• Extra Veggies: Boost the nutrient content by stirring in chopped bell peppers, shredded carrots, or even some baby spinach with the romaine.

Serving Suggestions

This BLT pasta salad is a star on its own, but it plays well with others, too.

• Summer Feast: Serve it alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or my Spicy Chicken Burrito Bowl for a spread that covers all the bases.
• Lunchbox Hero: Pack it in individual containers for a work or school lunch that’s anything but boring. Just keep a little extra lettuce on the side to add right before eating.
• Add Some Crunch: Top with extra crispy bacon, toasted breadcrumbs, or even some crushed croutons for a final texture contrast.
• As a Wrap Filling: For a fun handheld twist, spoon some of the salad into a large tortilla with extra lettuce for a deconstructed BLT pasta salad wrap. It’s a similar vibe to my Crispy Chicken Caesar Wrap.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A few simple tips will ensure your BLT pasta salad is perfect every time.

• Overcooking the Pasta: Mushy pasta will ruin the texture. Cook it to al dente and rinse it with cool water to halt the cooking process immediately.
• Adding Lettuce Too Soon: If you mix the delicate romaine in with the dressing and pasta hours ahead, it will wilt and become soggy. Always add it just before serving.
• Skipping the Chill Time: Patience is key. Letting the salad rest allows the pasta to absorb the dressing and the flavors to deepen. A hastily served cold pasta salad won’t taste as cohesive.
• Underseasoning the Dressing: The dressing is the flavor engine. Taste it on its own and don’t be shy with the salt, pepper, or acid. It should taste bold, as it will mellow once mixed with the pasta.
• Using Warm Ingredients: Make sure your pasta and bacon are completely cooled before adding the dressing, or the mayo-based sauce may break or become greasy.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

• Leftovers: Store any leftover BLT pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for 3-4 days. The lettuce will soften, but the flavors will remain delicious.
• Make-Ahead: You can absolutely prepare the pasta, bacon, and dressing mixture up to two days in advance. Store them separately in the fridge. Combine the pasta, bacon, and dressing a few hours before you plan to eat, and add the lettuce at the very end.
• Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this salad, as the mayonnaise dressing and lettuce will not hold up well after thawing.
• Reviving Leftovers: If the pasta seems a little dry after a day or two, stir in a tablespoon of milk or a squeeze of lemon juice to loosen the dressing. For another great pasta dish that reheats beautifully, try my Chicken Primavera Pasta.

Conclusion

This BLT pasta salad is more than just a recipe; it’s a reliable strategy for delicious, stress-free eating. It captures the iconic flavors of a beloved sandwich in a format that’s perfect for sharing, prepping, and enjoying all season long. That creamy tomato dressing is truly something special—it’s rich, tangy, and smoky, clinging to every bite of pasta and bacon.

I hope this recipe finds its way into your regular rotation, becoming a trusted friend for busy weeknights and sunny weekend gatherings alike. Food that feels like home doesn’t have to be complicated.

If you give this BLT pasta salad a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. And if you share a photo of your creation, don’t forget to tag @StackSipSnack on Pinterest—it always makes my day to see your kitchen wins.

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