Easy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe that Includes all your favorites: Crunchy bacon, Crisp lettuce, tomatoes, pasta, shredded cheese and a delicious homemade dressing!
This easy BLT pasta salad recipe is a delicious, refined twist on my favorite sandwich as a child. Not surprisingly this recipe has topped my list of BLT dinner ideas.
When cooking at home starts to feel repetitive, I like to make something with a bit of character. Since both crisp lettuce and al dente pasta are used in this recipe, it quite literally is a pasta and salad in one.
Make It Low Carb
While great for cheat days, this easy BLT pasta salad recipe can also easily be made low carb by eliminating the pasta.
To make it dinner I suggest adding a protein such as roast chicken or hard-boiled egg if you want to go low carb.
Budget Friendly BLT Pasta Salad
I love the fact that this BLT pasta dinner is extremely affordable. I usually have most of the ingredients already in my pantry or fridge. If not, money is not a stress factor if I want to make this dish, which is huge for me!
Here are some other easy dinner ideas for family and friends:
Healthy Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
Easy To Make Ahead
I love recipes that I can prepare ahead of time. Luckily, this recipe is super easy to make the day before. Simply make the dressing and lettuce mixture and store separately in the fridge. Then, you only have to cook your pasta and combine all the ingredients for it to be ready!
A BLT pasta salad with mayo will last up to a week in the fridge, so it makes amazing leftovers. It’s perfectly suited to a busy schedule like mine.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this BLT pasta salad! Exact measurements are located below in the printable recipe card.
Ingredients:
Salad:
- Rotini pasta
- Romaine lettuce
- Grape tomatoes
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon bits or pieces – not canned bacon bits
Homemade Dressing:
- Mayo
- Sour cream
- Milk
- Pepper
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Crushed red pepper — This is optional but gives it a nice little kick
Instructions:
Start with the dressing, by stirring together sour cream, mayo, milk, pepper, salt, garlic powder and crushed red pepper. Whisk until smooth and well mixed.
Cook pasta according to package instructions. When al-dente drain and transfer to a large bowl.
To your pasta bowl add in chopped lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, bacon and your dressing.
Toss all ingredients until they are well combined.
Chill in the fridge if you like it cold like I do or you can serve immediately.
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EASY BLT PASTA SALAD RECIPE
Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 3-4 cups chopped romaine lettuce or about 2 romaine hearts
- 1 pint grape tomatoes — cut in halves
- 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cup bacon bits or pieces – not canned bacon bits
Homemade Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper — This is optional but gives it a nice little kick
Instructions
- Start with the dressing, by stirring together sour cream, mayo, milk, pepper, salt, garlic powder and crushed red pepper. Whisk until smooth and well mixed
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. When al-dente drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- To your pasta bowl add in chopped lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, bacon and your dressing.
- Toss all ingredients until they are well combined.
- Chill in the fridge if you like it cold like I do or you can serve immediately.
