0 from 9 votes
BLT Pasta Salad
This easy BLT pasta salad recipe is a twist on the classic BLT sandwich! It includes crispy bacon, fresh juicy tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and cheddar cheese tossed with tender pasta in a creamy homemade ranch dressing, perfect for a summer BBQ spread or family potlucks!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 312 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 packet ranch dressing packet dry mixture
- ¼ cup green onions thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
For the Pasta Salad
- 8 ounces rotini pasta uncooked
- 1 cup romaine lettuce chopped
- ¾ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup Bacon crumbled
- ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- ¼ cup red onion finely sliced
Instructions
Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch dressing packet, green onions, parsley, and vinegar and mix together thoroughly. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Cup of Yum
Make the Pasta Salad
- In a large pot, cook the pasta per the instructions on the box, approximately 9 minutes.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water until cool. Be sure to drain as much water as possible then transfer to a large bowl.
- Add the romaine, tomatoes, bacon, cheddar, and red onion to the pasta and toss.
- Pour the homemade dressing over the salad ingredients and gently stir to coat all the ingredients.
Notes
- Swap the romaine lettuce for iceberg lettuce, arugula or baby spinach
- Use regular milk or half-and-half instead of buttermilk.
- I use Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix NOT the Ranch dip packet.
- Use a bottled ranch instead of making the homemade ranch dressing.
- Use shaved parmesan cheese.
- Leave out the cheese and red onions if preferred.
- Use grape tomatoes or even regular tomatoes diced into small chunks.
- Use turkey bacon, chicken bacon or vegetarian bacon if desired.
- Make-ahead directions:If you would like to make this pasta salad ahead of time, add an additional ½ cup buttermilk to the dressing since the pasta will soak up the dressing as it sits.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
312kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
25g
(8%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
7g
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
Trans Fat
0.05g
Cholesterol
24mg
(8%)
Sodium
508mg
(21%)
Potassium
178mg
(5%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
793IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
75mg
(8%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 312
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 312kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 41% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.05g | 3% |
| Cholesterol | 24mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 508mg | 21% |
| Potassium | 178mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 793IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 75mg | 8% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.