Print

Creamy Ranch BLT Pasta Salad with Crispy Bacon

A serving of creamy blt pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and topped with crispy bacon bits.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make this easy BLT Pasta Salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh romaine, and tomatoes tossed in a creamy ranch dressing. It is a perfect make-ahead side dish for BBQs and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 1 pound bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to cool it down quickly. Set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, cook the bacon until very crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels and crumble it.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ranch dressing, white wine vinegar, sugar, pepper, and salt to create the dressing.
  4. Add the cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, halved tomatoes, and crumbled bacon to the dressing. Add cheddar cheese if you are using it.
  5. Toss all ingredients gently until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to combine.
  7. Stir the salad again before serving.

Notes

  • If you plan to make this ahead of time for a potluck, reserve about half of the bacon and half of the lettuce. Stir these in just before serving to keep the bacon crisp and the lettuce fresh.
  • For a lighter dressing, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
  • Rotini or bowtie pasta holds the creamy dressing well, but any short pasta shape works for this quick side dish.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/blt-pasta-salad-recipe-creamy-ranch-bacon/