There’s something instantly satisfying about the blend of crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and cheesy goodness in a pasta bowl — that’s exactly what makes this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe so irresistible. It’s like a picnic classic got a tasty upgrade, perfect for warm days or whenever you want a crowd-pleaser on the table.

A white bowl filled with a colorful pasta salad sits on a white marbled surface. The salad has three main layers: a base of creamy spiral pasta in light beige, topped with bright red halved cherry tomatoes scattered evenly, and mixed green leafy lettuce pieces adding texture. Small orange cubes of cheddar cheese and light green avocado chunks are mixed throughout. Crispy brown bacon bits sprinkle the salad, along with finely chopped herbs adding green flecks. A wooden spoon is placed inside the bowl with its handle pointing upward, ready to serve. In the background, blurred fresh green herbs and a small white bowl with cherry tomatoes can be seen. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love how this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe feels both comforting and refreshing—like a seriously elevated version of your favorite sandwich, but with pasta that makes it super satisfying.

Crisp & Creamy Contrast: The mix of crunchy bacon and fresh romaine with a creamy ranch dressing hits all the right texture notes.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The dressing can chill in advance, so it’s perfect for prepping ahead of time without losing freshness.
Customizable & Crowd-Friendly: It’s easy to scale up or down and swap ingredients to fit your taste or dietary needs.
All-in-One Picnic Winner: This salad travels well (with a couple of tips) and is a total hit for potlucks, BBQs, or chilled lunches.

A close-up view of a white bowl filled with a pasta salad. The salad has three main layers: a base layer of off-white spiral pasta, scattered throughout with small chunks of orange cheese, green lettuce leaves, and bits of crispy brown bacon. On top, there are halved bright red cherry tomatoes and small pieces of purple onion mixed in. The salad is lightly dressed, giving a shiny, slightly creamy look to the pasta. The background shows a white marbled surface and blurred green herbs. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe has a job to do — from the hearty rotini pasta holding it all together to the bacon bringing that savory punch. Here’s a quick rundown to help you pick the best elements.

Flat lay of cooked rotini pasta, crispy chopped bacon, finely diced red onion, cheddar cheese cubes, ripe avocado pieces, halved cherry tomatoes, torn romaine lettuce leaves, and freshly chopped parsley arranged beautifully on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Rotini Pasta: The spirals catch dressing and bits of bacon beautifully, making every bite flavorful.
Bacon: Crispy cooked bacon is key — it adds that signature smoky crunch you crave.
Red Onion: Finely diced for a subtle sharp bite that awakens the salad without overpowering.
Cheddar Cheese: Cubed cheese offers creamy pockets of richness; feel free to shred if you prefer a different texture.
Romaine Lettuce: Adds freshness and crunch but definitely add it just before serving to keep it crisp.
Avocado: Creamy and buttery, it balances the salty bacon perfectly.
Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy bursts that add a pop of sweetness and color.
Parsley: Chopped parsley brightens and adds a subtle herbal note.
Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix: This gives the salad its classic tangy, herby flavor.
Mayonnaise & Sour Cream: Creamy base for the dressing that ties all the ingredients together smoothly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’m all about making recipes fit my mood and pantry, and this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe really welcomes tweaks. Whether you swap the cheese or add some extra crunch, it’s easy to make it your own.

Variation: Sometimes I swap romaine for baby spinach for a softer leafy touch, and it’s just as delightful. I’ve also tried adding crispy fried onions on top for extra texture, which got rave reviews from friends.
Dietary Tip: Use turkey bacon or a plant-based bacon to keep that smoky flavor while catering to different diets.
Seasonal Twist: Swap cherry tomatoes for roasted red peppers or grilled corn in late summer for a seasonal spin.

Step-by-Step: How I Make BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Step 1: Whisk together the Dreamy Dressing

Start by mixing the Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix, mayonnaise, and sour cream in a medium bowl. I like to whisk it until smooth and then cover it with plastic wrap, letting the flavors meld in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This step is key — it gives the dressing a chance to get creamy and flavorful while you prep the rest.

Step 2: Cook and Cool the Pasta

Follow the package instructions to cook your rotini until just tender — al dente is best because the pasta will soak up some dressing and soften a bit more when chilled. Drain, then rinse it thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Let it drain again well so your salad won’t be soggy.

Step 3: Assemble the BLT Goodness

Toss the cooled pasta in a large bowl with the chopped bacon, diced red onion, cheddar cheese cubes, avocado pieces, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and romaine lettuce. Pour the chilled dressing over everything and use tongs to gently toss until every bite is coated. Be gentle with the lettuce and avocado so they stay fresh and don’t bruise.

Step 4: Serve Fresh and Enjoy!

This is definitely a salad to enjoy right away. The romaine lettuce doesn’t hold up well over time, so adding it just before serving keeps that crisp texture crisp. But if you want to prep in advance, hold off on the lettuce and toss it in right before serving for best results.

Top Tip

From my experience making this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe several times, a few tricks really help guarantee success and keep everything tasting fresh and delicious.

Rinse Pasta Well: Rinsing off the pasta after cooking avoids stickiness and keeps it from absorbing too much dressing, which can make your salad soggy.
Add Lettuce Last Minute: I learned the hard way that romaine wilted quickly when pre-mixed. So now I toss it in just before serving for that fresh crunch.
Use Good Bacon: Using thick-cut bacon and cooking it until crisp adds incredible texture and flavor punch you don’t want to skip.
Gentle Tossing: I always use tongs and fold ingredients gently to keep avocado chunks intact and avoid bruising delicate bits.

How to Serve BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Garnishes

For garnishes, I keep it simple but colorful — a sprinkle of extra chopped parsley or a few extra cherry tomato halves brighten the look. Sometimes I add a light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper or a handful of chopped scallions for a bit of mild onion bite.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or a simple garlic bread, making a balanced meal. It’s also fantastic alongside fresh fruit or a light soup when you want a lighter lunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I've served this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe in individual mason jars layered with all the ingredients, dressing last, so guests get that fun reveal and easy-to-eat presentation. You can also plate it in lettuce cups for a bite-size twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftovers in a tightly sealed container and eat within 24 hours. I make sure to leave the lettuce out until serving next time or toss any leftovers without lettuce directly — this helps keep the salad from getting soggy.

Freezing

I haven’t had great luck freezing this salad because the fresh veggies and creamy dressing don’t thaw well together. For the best taste and texture, I recommend enjoying it fresh or refrigerated short-term.

Reheating

This salad is best served cold or at room temperature. If you want to rewarm, I suggest removing the salad solids and gently warming the pasta with dressing separately, then recombining and tossing with fresh veggies added just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta in the BLT Pasta Salad Recipe?

Absolutely! While rotini is great for catching the dressing, penne, fusilli, or even bow tie pasta work really well too. Just pick a shape that holds dressing and bits of bacon nicely.

What’s the best way to keep the lettuce from getting soggy?

The key is to add the romaine lettuce right before serving. If you’re making this salad ahead, mix everything else and keep it chilled. Then toss in the lettuce at the last minute to keep it crisp and fresh.

Can I make this salad vegan or vegetarian?

For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or substitute it with plant-based bacon alternatives. For vegan, swap bacon, and replace mayonnaise and sour cream with your favorite vegan alternatives and ranch seasoning blends that are dairy-free.

How long does BLT Pasta Salad keep in the fridge?

It’s best enjoyed within 24 hours. After that, the lettuce and avocado tend to lose their texture and freshness. To extend freshness, keep the salad ingredients and dressing separate and combine just before serving.

Final Thoughts

This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen when I want something a little different but still reliably delicious. It’s one of those recipes I recommend to friends every chance I get because it’s simple, flavorful, and always a hit. Give it a try and see how it becomes your go-to pasta salad for gatherings or easy weeknight dinners!