Name: BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 16-ounce box Rotini Pasta cooked, drained, and rinsed with cold water; 13 slices bacon cooked and chopped; ½ large red onion finely diced; 1½ cups cheddar cheese cut into cubes; 2 cups romaine lettuce cut or torn into bite size pieces; 1 avocado cut into small pieces; 1½ cups cherry tomatoes cut in half; ¼ cup parsley chopped; 1 1-ounce packet Hidden Valley Dressing Mix dry; 1½ cups mayonnaise; ½ cup sour cream

There’s something incredibly satisfying about the combination of crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and hearty pasta tossed in a creamy dressing. That’s exactly what makes this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe such a winner—and why I keep coming back to it for potlucks and family gatherings. It’s fresh, comforting, and just downright delicious.

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

Honestly, this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe feels like the grown-up, more filling cousin of the traditional BLT sandwich. It's got that perfect balance of textures and flavors that hit all the right notes with every bite.

Crisp Meets Creamy: The bacon adds crunch while the creamy ranch dressing brings everything together perfectly.
Fresh Veggie Boost: Avocado and cherry tomatoes give this salad a garden-fresh pop that you don’t always find in pasta salads.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the dressing and pasta in advance, then toss together last minute for a stress-free gathering.
Versatility: You can scale it up for a crowd or make just enough for dinner—plus, it always keeps well until the next day.

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

Every ingredient plays a key role in this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe. From the pasta that holds the salad to the mix of veggies and cheese that bring it alive, here’s why each piece is so important—and a few tips for shopping smart.

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: Its spirals do a fantastic job of grabbing onto the dressing and bits of bacon, making each forkful flavorful.
Bacon: Choose thick-cut for maximum crunch and flavor—cook it until just crisp, so it doesn’t get soggy in the salad.
Red Onion: Adds a subtle sharpness that brightens the other rich ingredients—but go easy to keep it balanced.
Cheddar Cheese: Cubes work well here for texture, but shredded cheese is a fine substitute to disperse the flavor evenly.
Romaine Lettuce: Adds a satisfying crunch and freshness; best added just before serving to keep it crisp.
Avocado: Brings creaminess and a buttery texture—make sure it’s ripe but firm to avoid mushiness.
Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet bursts of flavor that balance the smoky bacon perfectly. Halve just before mixing to prevent extra moisture.
Parsley: Freshness and color—don’t skip it! It makes everything feel vibrant and fresh.
Hidden Valley Dressing Mix: The secret to that satisfying ranch tang that ties the whole salad together.
Mayonnaise and Sour Cream: The creamy base that makes the dressing luscious without overpowering your other ingredients.

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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 love how flexible this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe is—it's a fantastic base to make your own. I often tweak the veggies depending on the season or what’s in my fridge, and you can absolutely swap out cheese or bacon types to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Variation: Once, I swapped the cheddar for smoked gouda and added some chopped green onions—delicious and smoky!
Vegetarian Twist: I sometimes skip bacon and add toasted walnuts for crunch, keeping that satisfying bite without meat.
Seasonal Spin: In summer, I toss in fresh corn kernels or cukes for an extra-refreshing vibe.
Make it Lighter: Swap mayo for Greek yogurt in the dressing to cut fat without losing creaminess.

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

Step 1: Whip Up the Creamy Dressing

Start by mixing the dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix with mayonnaise and sour cream in a medium bowl. I like to whisk it really well until it’s smooth and lump-free. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes—this resting time lets the flavors meld and the dressing thicken slightly, giving you that classic ranch tang.

Step 2: Cook and Cool the Pasta

Cook the rotini according to the package instructions—usually about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Once done, drain and rinse the pasta thoroughly with cold water. It cools the pasta quickly to stop cooking and shakes off extra starch, so you don’t end up with a sticky, clumpy salad.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

In a large bowl, combine your cooled pasta, cooked and chopped bacon, diced red onion, cheddar cheese cubes, cubed avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and bite-size romaine pieces. Pour the chilled dressing over and gently toss everything with tongs until every piece is coated but not mashed. This gentle tossing keeps the avocado and lettuce from getting bruised or mushy.

Step 4: Serve Right Away or Chill Briefly

I usually serve this immediately so the lettuce stays crisp, but if you want to chill it, keep the lettuce separate until just before serving to avoid sogginess. Trust me, that crunch is part of what makes this pasta salad so great.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned that nailing the texture balance in this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe makes all the difference between “meh” and “wow!” Here are the top tips that have really upped my game in making this salad just right.

Cook Pasta Al Dente: Rinse it with cold water to stop cooking and avoid mushiness in the salad.
Don't Add Lettuce Too Early: The romaine wilts quickly, so add it right before serving for max crunch.
Use Thick-Cut Bacon: It holds its crispness longer and delivers great smoky flavor.
Gentle Tossing: Use tongs to mix gently, preventing avocado from turning mushy and tomatoes from bursting.

How to Serve BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle extra chopped parsley on top to brighten the look, along with a few crispy bacon bits for visual appeal and extra flavor bursts. Sometimes I add thinly sliced green onions or a light dusting of smoked paprika for a touch of color and zing.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs marvelously with grilled chicken or fish if you want a full meal. For a casual get-together, I love serving it alongside crusty garlic bread or as part of a BBQ spread with fresh corn on the cob and baked beans.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I’ve served this salad layered in clear trifle bowls so the colors shine through. I’ve also portioned it into individual mason jars for easy grab-and-go options—guests loved the personal touch and perfect salad-to-dressing ratio every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover BLT Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the fridge and eat it within 24 hours. I usually store the lettuce separately if I’ve pre-mixed everything—lettuce tends to wilt fast, and keeping it apart preserves that fresh crunch.

Freezing

This salad isn’t a great candidate for freezing because the lettuce and avocado don’t hold up well after thawing. I’d recommend making only what you expect to eat fresh or storing components separately if you want leftovers later.

Reheating

Because this is a cold pasta salad, I don’t usually reheat it. Instead, I enjoy leftovers straight from the fridge—just give it a gentle stir and maybe add fresh lettuce or avocado to brighten it back up.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! You can skip the bacon and add crunchy alternatives like toasted walnuts or smoked tempeh to keep that satisfying texture. Using smoked cheese can also help add depth of flavor.

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

The key is to add the romaine lettuce just before serving rather than mixing it in too early. If making ahead, keep the lettuce separate and fold it in right at the end to retain crispness.

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Definitely! Rotini is great for catching dressing, but you can substitute with fusilli, penne, or farfalle—anything with nooks and crannies works well. Avoid very thin pastas that might get mushy.

How long can I store leftovers?

It’s best to eat leftover BLT Pasta Salad within 24 hours to enjoy optimal texture and flavor, especially because of the fresh lettuce and avocado. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Final Thoughts

This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe has become one of those trusted go-tos in my kitchen—simple to throw together but always crowd-pleasing and fresh. If you want a salad that’s a little unexpected but reliably delicious, give it a whirl. I promise the combination of crisp bacon, creamy dressing, and garden-fresh bites will have you hooked just like it did me.