BLT Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful side dish that captures all the classic elements of a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich in a cold pasta salad. This easy BLT pasta salad recipe blends tender bow tie pasta with crisp romaine, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and smoky crumbled bacon, all tossed in a simple sour cream and mayonnaise dressing. It’s perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, and summer bbqs.
BLT Pasta Salad Ingredients
Below are the ingredients for this bacon lettuce and tomato pasta salad. Quantities are listed for a recipe that serves about 6.
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces bow tie (farfalle) pasta, cooked and drained
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
- 10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 avocado, diced (use slightly firm for best texture)
How to Make Bacon Lettuce Tomato Pasta Salad
- Prepare the dressing: in a medium bowl whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, and salt until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Combine the salad base: in a large mixing bowl add the cooked and cooled bow tie pasta, roughly chopped romaine, halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled bacon, and diced avocado.
- Toss with dressing: pour the sour cream mixture over the pasta and vegetables, then toss gently to coat everything evenly. Be careful not to mash the avocado while mixing.
- Serve: transfer to a serving bowl and top with a few extra crumbles of bacon for garnish, if desired. Serve chilled or at cool room temperature.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This BLT pasta salad keeps best when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If you plan to store it longer or prepare it ahead, leave the avocado out until just before serving or slice and toss it with a little lemon juice right before adding to slow browning. You can also keep the dressing separate and toss it with the salad just before serving to preserve crunch and freshness.
Tips and Variations
- Cook pasta al dente: Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water to stop cooking and help it cool faster for the salad.
- Crisp bacon well: Cook bacon until it’s crisp, cool, and then crumble so it holds texture in the salad.
- Dressing swaps: For a tangier option substitute ranch dressing or mix in a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the sour cream-mayo base.
- Vegetable additions: Add diced cucumber, sweet corn, or thinly sliced red onion for extra color and crunch.
- Protein variations: For a heartier salad, add grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or extra crumbled bacon.
- Pasta shapes: Farfalle, rotini, or penne all work well—choose a shape that catches the dressing and bits of lettuce and tomato.
Other Pasta Salad Ideas
If you enjoy BLT pasta salad, try other pasta salads with bright, bold flavors such as a pizza-style pasta salad, a colorful summer macaroni salad with peppers and onions, a chicken bacon ranch pasta salad, or a Mediterranean-inspired Greek pasta salad with olives and cheese tortellini. These variations use similar pantry ingredients and make great sides for gatherings.
Recipe Details
Prep time: 20 mins · Total time: 20 mins · Servings: 6
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 651 kcal · Carbohydrates: 53 g · Protein: 14 g · Fat: 44 g · Saturated fat: 14 g · Sodium: 400 mg · Fiber: 5 g · Sugar: 6 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on exact ingredients and portion sizes. Use it as a general guide.
The BLT pasta salad is an easy, versatile side that tastes like a classic BLT sandwich but in a cold, shareable form. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, it’s a reliable choice for gatherings, meal prep, or a quick family dinner. Enjoy!