BLT Pasta Salad Recipe – Perfect for Summer Picnics! (2024)

In this post: This BLT pasta salad recipe combines the flavors of a BLT sandwich and classic pasta salad into one delicious bowl of yumminess!

There’s nothing quite like comfort food – especially dishes from favorite events and holidays, like the casseroles like grandma and aunties used to make. This BLT pasta salad is just like that! It combines the delicious flavors of a BLT sandwich and pasta salad into one fantastic comfort dish. Learn how to make it for yourself with step-by-step instructions below.

What is BLT Pasta Salad?

BLT pasta salad is a delicious combination of a classic BLT sandwich and pasta salad. This combo is the ultimate comfort food filled and it’s perfect for all your summer picnics and potlucks!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This BLT pasta salad recipe:

• is quick and easy to make
• doesn’t include complicated instructions or hard-to-find ingredients
• is adaptable to many common food allergens

Ingredients

• Noodles: almost any type will work (see below for ideas).
• Bacon: adds a salty crunch.
• Roma tomatoes: long, plumb-shaped tomatoes that are full of flavor.
• Romaine lettuce: adds a fresh crunch.
• Mayonnaise: or veganaise.
• Sour cream: or sour cream substitute.
• Yellow mustard: adds a subtle tang.
• Sea salt: complements the other ingredients.
• Black pepper: adds a hint of smokey spice.

Substitutions and Variations

• Noodles: try using wheat, corn, quinoa, rice, or lentil pasta.
• Bacon: instead of pork bacon, you can try turkey bacon or chicken bacon.
• Tomatoes: I love Roma tomatoes in this recipe, but you can use cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or any other tomato.
• Lettuce: romaine lettuce and iceberg lettuce are my favorites but you can use any lettuce you like.
• Mustard: you can try Dijon or spicy mustard in this recipe instead of yellow mustard.
• Seasonings: try adding smoked paprika, dill, celery seed, garlic, or cayenne pepper.

How to Make BLT Pasta Salad

1. Cook the noodles in a large pot of salted water. Drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water so they stop cooking.
2. Fry or bake the bacon.
3. While the pasta and bacon are cooking, chop the tomatoes and lettuce.
4. Mix the noodles, crispy bacon, tomatoes, and romaine lettuce in a large bowl.
5. Whisk the mayo, sour cream, yellow mustard, salt, and pepper in a smaller bowl. Pour the dressing into the large bowl.
6. Toss everything until it’s evenly coated.
7. Serve with extra bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this BLT pasta salad recipe alongside summer dishes like:

• Beer Can Chicken in a Smoker
• Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
• Caesar Salad

This recipe also goes great with summer drinks like:

• Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
• Starbucks Very Berry Hibiscus Refreshers®
• Peach Smoothie

Tips for Success

• Don’t undercook or overcook your pasta – no one wants hard orsoggy pasta salad!
• Add the lettuce, tomatoes, and sauce right before you want to serve the dish.
• If you find this BLT pasta salad recipe needs something more, you can try adding extra seasonings and ingredients like green onions, red onions, avocado, lemon juice, garlic, cheddar cheese, or bell peppers.

Storing the Leftovers

Store the BLT pasta salad leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. If you’re making this recipe ahead of time, store the dressing, lettuce, and tomatoes separately from the bacon and pasta so they don’t get soggy.

FAQs

How do I cook bacon for this recipe?

You can cook your bacon in a frying pan or in the oven (crispier).

What is the best pasta for pasta salad?

Wheat pasta and brown rice pasta hold up really well and don’t get soggy. As for shape, use whatever your heart desires! My favorite shapes to use are spirals, bowties, and shells!

Can I prep this pasta salad in advance?

Yes, you can prep this BLT pasta salad recipe ahead of time! Store the dressing separately from the bacon and pasta so they don’t get soggy. It’s also a good idea to add the lettuce and tomatoes soon before serving so they stay fresh!

Can I double this BLT pasta salad recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe yields about 6-8 servings so you can double the recipe to serve 12-16 people. This dish may serve even more people if it’s served as a side dish!

How long will pasta salad last in the fridge?

This BLT pasta salad recipe will stay fresh in the fridge for 3 days. Keep in mind that it will get soggier the longer you store it. If you don’t mind soggy pasta salad you can store it for 4-5 days.

Can I freeze my pasta salad?

This pasta salad doesn’t freeze very well; it will get soggy, and the dressing won’t be creamy anymore. However, you could probably store the salad dressing in the freezer for 1-2 months.

More Picnic and Potluck Recipes

• Classic Egg Salad
• Deviled Eggs
• Green Pea Salad
• Crunchy Broccoli Salad
• Creamy Coleslaw

BLT Pasta Salad

Yield: 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This BLT pasta salad recipe combines the flavors of a BLT sandwich and pasta salad into one delicious bowl of yumminess!

Ingredients

• 1 lb. noodles of choice
• 4 slices cooked bacon, or turkey bacon
• 2 Romatomatoes, diced
• 1 1/2 cups romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream, or sour cream substitute
• 1 tablespoon yellow or spicy mustard
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the noodles in a large pot of salted water. Drain the noodles and then rinse them with cold water so they stop cooking.
2. Fry or bake the bacon.
3. While the pasta and bacon are cooking, chop the tomatoes and lettuce.
4. Mix the noodles, crispy bacon, tomatoes, and romaine lettuce in a large bowl.
5. Whisk the mayo, sour cream, yellow mustard, salt, and pepper in a smaller bowl. Pour the dressing into the large bowl.
6. Toss everything until it’s evenly coated.
7. Serve with extra bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 335Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 521mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 9g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily via Nutrifox.

Did you make this recipe?

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Have you ever tried BLT Pasta Salad? What’s your favorite comfort food combo?