Zesty BLT Pasta Salad Recipe: A Fresh Twist on Classic Flavors

Summers heat up with this mouthwatering BLT pasta salad that delivers a crisp twist on classic flavors.

Bacon adds a smoky crunch to this delightful pasta salad recipe that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

Crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes mingle with perfectly cooked pasta, creating a refreshing dish perfect for picnics and potlucks.

Each bite bursts with zesty mayonnaise dressing and salty bacon bits that dance across your palate.

The combination of textures and flavors makes this salad an instant crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

Creamy, tangy, and packed with fresh ingredients, this pasta salad transforms a simple side into a star attraction.

Prepare to be the hero of your next summer meal with this irresistible recipe.

Making BLT Pasta Salad That Pops

• Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook pasta until al dente, then quickly cool it under cold running water to stop the cooking process and bring down the temperature.

• Whip Up Creamy Dressing

Blend mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth and well combined.

• Toss Together Tasty Ingredients

Gently mix cooled pasta with crispy bacon bits, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and zesty red onion in a large serving bowl.

• Dress and Blend

Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta mixture and softly fold everything together, ensuring each ingredient gets evenly coated.

• Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Give it a quick toss before serving and enjoy this refreshing summer dish cold.

Tips to Freshen Up Your BLT Salad

• Crisp bacon beforehand and let it cool completely to maintain crunchiness in the pasta salad, preventing soggy texture.
• Chop lettuce just before mixing to keep it fresh and prevent wilting, ensuring a crisp and vibrant salad.
• Prepare the salad a day in advance, storing dressing and bacon separately to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
• Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, or use vegan bacon and plant-based mayo for a vegetarian-friendly option.
• Add diced avocado, shredded cheese, or fresh herbs like basil to enhance the salad's complexity and nutritional value.

How to Serve BLT Pasta Salad with Style

• Picnic Perfect Plate: Pack this BLT pasta salad in individual containers for a delightful outdoor lunch that's easy to transport and share with friends.
• Summer Barbecue Buddy: Serve alongside grilled meats like burgers or chicken for a refreshing side dish that complements smoky flavors and adds a cool crunch.
• Potluck Superstar: Bring this crowd-pleasing salad to gatherings, where its classic BLT combo and creamy dressing will make you the most popular guest at the party.
• Quick Weeknight Meal Upgrade: Transform this pasta salad into a complete dinner by adding grilled chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken for extra protein and satisfaction.

Saving and Serving BLT Pasta Salad Later

• Refrigerate this pasta salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Flavors develop and blend beautifully when kept cool.
• Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and revive its fresh appearance. A quick toss keeps ingredients evenly coated.
• Prepare components separately and combine just before serving to maintain crisp lettuce and bacon crunchiness. Store dressing, pasta, and toppings in separate containers.
• Divide salad into individual meal prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. This strategy helps control portions and ensures a convenient meal solution throughout the week.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients for a Perfect BLT Pasta Salad

• Pasta: Choose short, sturdy pasta that holds dressing well and catches bacon bits perfectly.
• Bacon: Crisp and crumble for maximum flavor and crunchy texture in every bite.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Burst with sweet summer flavor and add vibrant color to the salad.
• Lettuce: Provides crisp texture and refreshing green element.
• Red Onion: Adds sharp, zesty bite and beautiful purple color contrast.

• Mayonnaise: Creates smooth, rich base for coating pasta.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy depth and creamy consistency.
• Vinegar: Brightens overall flavor and balances richness.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses subtle savory undertone.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced taste profile.

Kitchen Tools for BLT Pasta Salad Prep

• Large pot: For boiling pasta thoroughly and evenly.
• Colander: To drain and rinse pasta quickly under cold water.
• Small mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining all salad ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for blending dressing ingredients without lumps.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: For slicing cherry tomatoes and cutting red onion neatly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate for measuring dressing ingredients precisely.

Tangy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Summer’s favorite “BLT pasta salad” brings classic sandwich flavors into a creamy, refreshing side dish. Crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and cool lettuce mingle with tender pasta, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 12 oz (340 g) rotini or bowtie pasta
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• ½ cup diced red onion (optional)
• 2 tbsps white vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil pasta following package guidelines, then rapidly cool under cold water to halt cooking process and prevent clumping.
2. Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
3. Salad Assembly: Combine chilled pasta with crispy bacon pieces, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped lettuce, and thinly sliced red onion in a spacious mixing bowl.
4. Finishing Touch: Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad and gently fold ingredients together, ensuring even coating without breaking delicate components.
5. Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate salad for minimum 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then give a final gentle toss before presenting cold as a refreshing side dish.

Notes

• Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with dressing, ensuring a perfect bite and preventing the salad from becoming soggy.
• Cook bacon until extra crispy and let it cool completely before crumbling to maintain crunch and prevent moisture from softening the pieces.
• Chop lettuce just before mixing to prevent wilting and maintain crisp texture; consider using heartier lettuce varieties like romaine for better stability.
• Prepare components separately and combine just before serving to keep ingredients fresh and prevent early breakdown of salad elements.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 25mg