BLT Pasta Salad: Bacon, sweet summer tomatoes, and crisp lettuce are tossed with tender pasta that has been coated with a rich dressing for a perfect spin on a classic BLT sandwich.
Do you have any summer gatherings coming up?
Summer seams to beckon for neighborhood block parties, family picnics, potlucks at the lake, and backyard cookouts. From Bacon Ranch Potato Salad to Italian Pasta Salad to Baked Beans, there are so many recipes that are perfect for summer get togethers.
This BLT salad is also highly recommended for any summer celebration. I mean who would not be thrilled to have a BLT in pasta form?
BLT Pasta Salad
BLTs are the quintessential summer dish–at least at my house. Salty bacon paired with fresh, juicy tomatoes and a crunch of perfeclty toasted bread. MMM, perfection!
To turn this classic sandwich into a pasta salad is just GENIUS!!
And in my book easier than a traditional BLT! I can make the salad and not worry about eating it immediately, like you have to with BLTs–you know, to avoid soggy bread.
How to make BLT Pasta Salad
Step One: Make the Pasta
The first step to making this easy pasta salad, is to prepare you noodles. Any noodle with curves or ridges (like rotini, corkscrew, campanelle, or cavatelli) work well. This helps the dressing and the toppings of the pasta salad to be present in every bite.
Cook your pasta until just al dente and drain. DO NOT rinse your pasta–this causes the pasta to lose flavor and the starch that helps the dressing adhere to the noodles. Let the pasta cool before tossing with the remaining ingredients.
Pro Tip: Cool your pasta quickly by spreading out on a large sheet pan and placing in fridge for 10-15 minutes.
Step Two: Prepare the toppings for the BLT Pasta Salad
While the pasta is cooking:
- Prepare the bacon–either pan fry or bake in the oven. Be sure to reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings for the BLT pasta salad dressing.
- Slice the tomatoes.
- Chop the lettuce.
- Make the Dressing
Step Five: Toss the BLT Pasta Salad
Add all the dressing, lettuce, bacon, and tomatoes to the cooled pasta and toss well. You can serve immediately, or let sit in the refrigerator up to 12 hours before serving.
BLT Pasta Salad Dressing
You will be shocked to find out what I use in this BLT Salad…………………….BACON GREASE.
GASP!! I know, it seems against my healthy living to use bacon grease. However, very little is used and it is better than any chemically made shortening or oil that is out on the market!
I also use a bit of refined sugar, but you can use honey or maple syrup if you desire–I just find that the sugar dissolves well into the dressing and only adds a hint of sweetness without additional flavors.
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Tips on Homemade BLT Pasta Salad:
- To make this BLT salad versatile for an outdoor gathering (yes, it does contain mayo), nestle your serving bowl on top of a larger serving bowl that has been filled with ice or ice packs. This will keep bacteria from growing for at least 2 hours–probably much longer, especially if you switch out your ice or ice pack, I am just EXTRA cautious!!
- If the thought of bacon grease scares you, just omit it!
- I used nitrate-free organic pork bacon, but any bacon (even turkey bacon) will work.
- To make this a Gluten-Free BLT Pasta Salad, use gluten free pasta.
- If you happen to have garden fresh roma tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes, you can use in place of cherry tomatoes–just seed them first to prevent the pasta salad from becoming watered down.
- I do use granulated sugar in the dresssing. Honey will work, but I really like the sweetness without any added taste that comes from honey or maple syrup.
- I used romaine lettuce because that is my preferred green in a BLT sandwich, but iceberg or green leaf lettuce works well too.
- Instead of store bought mayonnaise, you can use this Mayonnaise from Fifteen Spatulas.
MORE SUMMER POT LUCK RECIPES
- Creamy Cucumber Salad with Dill
- Watermelon Salsa
- Blueberry Pie Bars
- Magic Cookie Bars from All Day I Dream About Food
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Antipasto Pasta Salad
Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound whole grain campenelle pasta* corkscrew and rotini noodles work just as well too
- 1 head of romaine lettuce chopped
- 2 pints of cherry or grape tomatoes sliced in half
- 3 tablespoons chopped chives
- 1 pound nitrate free bacon
- 1/2 cup good quality mayonanaise
- 2 tablespoons minced shallots
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon bacon drippings
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well and cool the pasta completely. I do this by spreading on cookie sheet and tossing into fridge--quick and easy!)
- While pasta is cooking, dice the bacon and cook over medium high heat until bacon is crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels, reserving 1 tablespoon of grease.
- Mix together bacon drippings, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the dressing, cooked and cooled pasta, chives, tomatoes, lettuce and bacon bits together until evenly distributed.
Notes
- To make this BLT salad versatile for an outdoor gathering, nestle your serving bowl on top of a larger serving bowl that has been filled with ice or ice packs.
- If the thought of bacon grease scares you, just omit it!
- I used nitrate-free organic pork bacon, but any bacon (even turkey bacon) will work.
- To make this a Gluten-Free BLT Pasta Salad, use gluten free pasta.
- If you happen to have garden fresh roma tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes, you can use in place of cherry tomatoes--just seed them first to prevent the pasta salad from becoming watered down.
- I do use granulated sugar in the dresssing. Honey will work, but I really like the sweetness without any added taste that comes from honey or maple syrup.
- I used romaine lettuce because that is my preferred green in a BLT sandwich, but iceberg or green leaf lettuce works well too.
Kristen Chidsey
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These are perfect flavors for a pasta salad!
Oh thank you so much Joanne! We love these flavors here too.
Hi – everything sounds great and I am def making this – but you don’t say what to do with the shallots – in the dressing?
Hey Joanie, sorry about that! The shallots go in the dressing.
A BLT is my favourite sandwich. Love this salad, I’m going to make it on the weekend
YAY!! I am sure you will love it Bintu!
What a awesome twist to summer pasta salad! Love it!
Thanks so much Denise.
Pasta salads are so fun! I love how you can switch up a few ingredients and it’s a whole new thing – like take off the bacon and it’s now vegetarian, perfect for Meatless mondays!
Exactly! And such a great way to enjoy pasta in the summer.
Haha! Great minds think alike! I just made a BLT Pasta Salad last month! Yum! I love the addition of a bit of bacon grease. I use to do the same in my potato salad!
I will have to check yours out Beth. This recipe has been on my blog for 3 years now, but was desperate for some new photos.
What a great way to reinvent a favorite flavor combo!
Thanks Kelly!
This recipe looks so good. Pasta salad gets so boring. This definitely is a more exciting way to make pasta salad.
Great idea for a flavorful (and not boring) pasta salad! Love seeing those lovely tomatoes and Romaine, too! Yum!
Thanks Patricia!
One of our favorites this summer was pasta salad! This sounds fantastic!
Thanks Anna. It is a great way to enjoy pasta salad and to end the summer this Labor Day weekend.
This sounds delicious, Kristen! I might be making it today!
YEA!!! I hope you do!
This sounds perfect for a picnic!!
Thanks Deborah! It is always a picnic hit 🙂
Beautiful pasta salad Kristen! My family will love this. Bacon always sells at our house!
Bacon is a winner in our house too!
What a fabulous pasta salad! I could eat it all summer long. 🙂
You should–you have grains, protein, and veggies 🙂
BLT pasta is great – it’s such a family fav at a bbq – love your recipe!
Thanks Debra. This is ALWAYS a hit.
This salad looks PERFECT for a picnic Kristen! Yum!
It is one of the first dishes to disappear!
Love BLTs! Great way to put those flavors into a nice summer salad.
BLTs are a summer staple around here. This salad is great as well though!
Pasta salads make an appearance at our backyard BBQs so much in the summer. This is a great one–I need to try this soon.
I hope you do try it soon.
I am totally addicted to BLTs… this looks like a great variation — especially since you can make it ahead
Exactly. Once you make a traditional BLT, you must devour ASAP to prevent sogginess!
mmmmm a meal salad… my kind of salad! Love this!
Thanks! It is pretty good.