BLT Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5
BLT Pasta Salad
Description
This salad features cooked and chilled bowtie pasta combined with halved grape tomatoes, crumbled cooked bacon, and chopped romaine lettuce. A dressing made from ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and red wine vinegar is whisked until smooth and incorporated into the salad, coating each ingredient evenly. Freshly ground salt and black pepper season the mix, which benefits from thorough tossing.
The dish offers contrasting textures—tender pasta, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and crispy bacon bits—all marrying with a creamy, tangy dressing that carries a hint of acidity from the vinegar. This flavor combination echoes the classic BLT sandwich components in pasta form, making it refreshing yet hearty.
Suggested pasta types include bowtie or any similarly shaped medium-cut noodles that hold dressing well. The salad serves well chilled or at room temperature and can act as a side dish or light main for gatherings. The dressing and some components can be prepared ahead, allowing flavors to develop.
Additional mix-ins like diced cucumbers, cheese cubes, or fresh herbs can be added to customize flavor and texture. Storing leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days maintains freshness.
Ingredients
- 1 pound bowtie pasta (see note 1)
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 1 cup ranch dressing (see note 2)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved, about 7 ounces
- 4 ounces Bacon crumbled (see note 3, cooked
- 1 heart romaine lettuce chopped
Instructions
- Bring 4 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse pasta under cold water until cool. Shake out any excess water.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and red wine vinegar.
- In a large bowl, toss together pasta, tomatoes, bacon and lettuce. Stir in dressing until thoroughly combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Taste for seasoning. If you don't season with sufficiently, this dish might taste bland.
Notes
- Substitute bowtie pasta with sturdy small- or medium-cut noodles such as cavatappi or rotini if desired.
- Use store-bought ranch dressing or make homemade ranch dressing with buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, herbs, garlic, lemon juice, and seasoning.
- For the crispiest bacon, bake on a wire rack in the oven at 400°F for 10-15 minutes or fry in a skillet on stovetop.
- The recipe yields about eight 1-cup servings (2 quarts total).
- Make the dressing and prep pasta and vegetables a day ahead to enhance flavor and reduce day-of work.
- Rinse cooked pasta with cold water to prevent stickiness and gummy texture when served chilled.
- Feel free to add mix-ins like diced cucumber, cheese, avocado, or fresh herbs such as dill or chives for variation.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings (1 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 535 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 cup | |
| Calories | 535kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 35g | 54% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 21g | 124% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 461mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 199mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 196IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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