There’s something about the crunch of crispy bacon paired with creamy avocado and tangy dressing that makes the BLT Pasta Salad Recipe truly unforgettable. It’s like all your favorite flavors from a classic BLT sandwich get together for a fun, colorful pasta party on your plate.

A white bowl filled with a creamy spiral pasta salad showing about four layers: the base layer has light beige spiral pasta with a smooth texture; scattered throughout are bright red halved cherry tomatoes with a shiny surface; small cubes of orange cheddar cheese add pops of color; chunks of green avocado with a soft texture are mixed in; pieces of green leafy lettuce add freshness around the edges; bits of crispy bacon are visible in reddish-brown strips; everything is coated lightly in a creamy dressing giving a slight gloss; a wooden spoon rests on the side inside the bowl; the bowl sits on a white marbled surface with some green herbs blurred in the background 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

This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe quickly became one of my go-to dishes for potlucks and summer dinners. The combo of fresh veggies, smoky bacon, and zesty ranch dressing makes it exciting every time, but still super comforting.

Flavor packed: Each bite has a delicious balance of smoky, creamy, crisp, and fresh flavors.
Easy to make in advance: You can prep most of it ahead and just toss it all together right before serving.
Super versatile: It works perfectly as a side dish or a light main, and you can tweak ingredients based on what you have.
Crowd-pleaser: Everyone I’ve served this to has asked for the recipe—something you don’t get with every pasta salad!

A white bowl filled with a colorful pasta salad featuring three layers: the base layer is spiral rotini pasta in a creamy white dressing, mixed with small green lettuce pieces and chopped red onions; the middle layer includes bright orange cheese cubes and crispy bacon bits scattered evenly; the top layer is decorated with halved cherry tomatoes showing their juicy red interiors, and fresh green parsley sprinkled on top. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Blending creamy, crunchy, and fresh ingredients is the magic behind this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe. Each element brings something special, so grabbing quality basics will give you the best results.

Flat lay of cooked rotini pasta with its spiral shapes, crispy chopped bacon pieces, bright red cherry tomatoes cut in halves, small cubes of sharp cheddar cheese, creamy green avocado chunks, finely diced red onion, fresh torn romaine lettuce leaves, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley, all beautifully arranged in a colorful and inviting composition, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Rotini Pasta: Its twists hold onto the dressing and bits of bacon perfectly, so every forkful is full of flavor.
Bacon: Crisp and smoky bacon is the heart of this salad—don’t skimp on cooking it until it’s just crunchy enough.
Red Onion: Adds a mild bite and sharpness, finely diced so it blends without overpowering.
Cheddar Cheese: I prefer cubed sharp cheddar, which adds creamy, salty richness and a nice texture contrast.
Romaine Lettuce: Provides that fresh, crisp mouthfeel and color; best added just before serving to keep it crunchy.
Avocado: Creamy and buttery, avocado smooths out the tangy dressing and adds a healthy fat component.
Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy sweetness cuts through the richness and brightens up the whole dish.
Parsley: A fresh herb touch that lightens the salad and adds a subtle pop of color.
Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix, Mayonnaise, and Sour Cream: This combo makes a tangy, creamy dressing that ties every ingredient together beautifully.

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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. Depending on the season or what’s in my fridge, I like to switch up the cheese or add extra veggies. It’s really about making it your own and having fun with it.

Variation: Once, I swapped out romaine for spinach and tossed in some crispy pancetta instead of bacon—it was a hit and gave the salad a new twist.
Dairy-free option: Use a dairy-free mayo and skip the cheese for friends who need it, and it still tastes amazing.
Extra crunch: Add chopped celery or toasted sunflower seeds if you want more texture.

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

Step 1: Whisk Together the Dressing

Start by mixing the Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix with mayonnaise and sour cream in a medium bowl. Use a whisk until smooth and creamy. Cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors mellow and blend—this step really makes a difference!

Step 2: Cook and Chill the Pasta

Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. This prevents mushiness and keeps the pasta nice and firm. Drain again well before tossing with your ingredients.

Step 3: Combine the Ingredients Gently

Add the chilled pasta to a large bowl along with the chopped bacon, diced red onion, cubed cheddar, avocado pieces, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and torn romaine lettuce. Pour the chilled dressing over everything and use tongs to gently toss until evenly coated. Be gentle so the avocado and lettuce stay fresh and don’t get mashed.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy Immediately

This salad is best served right away to enjoy the crisp lettuce and fresh avocado at their peak. It’s a showstopper on picnic tables and dinner spreads and so satisfying on a sunny day!

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours, these tips have saved me from a soggy salad and helped me nail perfect texture every time I make this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe.

Prep the dressing ahead: Letting the dressing chill allows the dry mix to dissolve fully, giving you a smoother, tangier flavor.
Rinse pasta thoroughly: This stops cooking and cools the pasta so it won’t soak up too much dressing or get mushy.
Add lettuce last: Toss the salad without lettuce first if you need to prep early, then fold in fresh romaine just before serving to keep it crisp.
Don’t mash the avocado: Cut into small chunks but mix gently to keep that creamy texture from turning into mush.

How to Serve BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra chopped parsley on top for freshness and sometimes a few extra crumbled bacon pieces for crunch. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving adds a nice brightness too.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish, toasted garlic bread, or even a simple fruit salad to round out your meal. It’s also a fantastic side at barbecues when you want something lighter but satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve served this salad in hollowed-out lettuce cups as finger food, or layered the ingredients beautifully in a glass trifle bowl to show off all the colors—it always gets people excited before they even dig in!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Because of the lettuce and avocado, this salad tastes best fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container and eat within 24 hours, making sure to add any lettuce fresh when you’re ready to serve again.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this salad due to the mayonnaise dressing and fresh veggies, which don’t fare well once thawed.

Reheating

This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe is best served cold or at room temperature. If you want to warm leftovers, just make a fresh batch since reheating isn’t ideal for the dressing and ingredients here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta for this BLT Pasta Salad Recipe?

Absolutely! While rotini is great for holding the dressing, penne or fusilli would work just as well. Just be sure to cook and rinse the pasta properly to avoid clumping.

How do I keep the lettuce from getting soggy?

The key is to add the romaine lettuce just before serving. If you need to prep in advance, mix everything except the lettuce and dressing, then toss the lettuce in last minute.

Can I make this salad vegan or vegetarian?

Definitely vegetarian if you omit the bacon or use a vegetarian bacon alternative. For a vegan version, substitute vegan mayo, sour cream, and cheese alternatives, and use plant-based bacon if desired.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Store any leftover salad in a tightly sealed container in the fridge and try to eat within 24 hours. To keep the lettuce fresh, add it only when you’re ready to serve again.

Final Thoughts

This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it always hits the spot—whether it’s a casual family dinner or a special get-together. It’s approachable but packed with flavor, and I’ve found it’s one of those “wow” recipes that gets better the more you make it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do—let me know how you customize it!