This Ranch BLT Pasta Salad is a light and simple recipe that is loaded with so many delicious flavors, including creamy ranch dressing, and chopped bacon.
If you're craving even more ranch flavor, then be sure to try making a batch of Chicken Ranch Wraps or making your own homemade Ranch Dressing recipe.

This pasta salad combines everything that I love about a good BLT...salty bacon, crispy lettuce, and tangy tomato. Add to that combination some cooked pasta, Swiss cheese, and ranch dressing and you have yourself a delicious savory bite.
Remember that even though I have given you measurements for the ingredients, you may add as much or as little of the ingredients you would like. There really are no rules when it comes to making this pasta. If you want more bacon than lettuce, then you can go ahead and add more of it. It is your kitchen and this is definitely a no judgement zone.
This pasta also refrigerates very well and tastes even better a day or two after it's made. This recipe is so simple to make and will make a great addition to any meal or could even be the meal itself.
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This Pasta Salad Recipe Is...
- Quick and Easy!
- Great lunch or dinner idea.
- Family Friendly
- Versatile in Ingredients Uses
- Light
Ingredient Notes

- Pasta - I used rotini pasta for this pasta dinner. But you can use any medium-sized pasta like shells, bowties, etc.
- Ranch Salad Dressing - You can add more ranch dressing to flavor to your preference if you would like. Or if you want less, then go ahead and do ½ cup to ¾ cup instead of a full cup. May also use low fat or any other versions.
- Diced Tomatoes - Cherry or grape tomatoes work great for this recipe. You can use regular tomatoes that you dice up yourself into small pieces.
- Red Onion - To help reduce the strong aroma, you may soak your sliced onions in ice water for 5-10 minutes if you find that the onions are too powerful alone.
- Swiss Cheese - Grab a block of Swiss and then use a grater to finely grate it.
- Bacon - Any brand of bacon works, just dice it up into small pieces so that it is easy to spread evenly all over the salad.
- Lettuce - Iceberg or Romaine are both great lettuces to use for this recipe.
- Salt and Pepper - Coarse salt and black pepper are used to flavor to taste.
Instructions
Begin the recipe by cooking the pasta according to package directions; al dente and in plenty of salted water. Drain the pasta, then toss with the dressing to lightly coat and prevent the pasta from sticking together. Refrigerate until cold.

In a large bowl, toss the cold pasta with the tomatoes, Swiss cheese, red onion, bacon and lettuce.

Add more dressing, at least enough to generously coat everything and season to taste with salt and ground black pepper. Serve and enjoy!

Make-Ahead Salad
This ranch pasta salad is great to be made in advance. You can make it 1 day in advance. I just recommend keeping the lettuce out until you are close to serving it up. The lettuce will wilt and break down once it pairs with the dressing.
So right before serving add in the lettuce, stir and serve. This is a delicious summer dinner, potluck dish, etc.
Recipe Tips
Here are some tips for making the best ranch BLT pasta salad. These tips below will help set you up for success when it comes to making this pasta salad.
- If you feel that your dressing is too thick, then you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk. This will help thin it out, without altering the flavor.
- Plan to eat this the day that you make it, as the lettuce will wilt pretty fast. Or keep lettuce separate and add it in before serving.
- Any pasta that is small to medium in size does work for this recipe. You can even use gluten-free pasta, chickpea, or protein pasta. Just cook as directed on the back of the package.
- You could swap the lettuce with spinach leaves or even kale if you would prefer.
- If you don't want to use Swiss cheese, then you can easily swap it with Mozzarella, pepper jack, cheddar, etc. Get creative or use your favorite cheese combination.
Storage
You can store any leftovers of the salad in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Just make sure that you give a good mix before you go to serve it up. As the dressing can settle at the bottom of the bowl.
This pasta salad can not be frozen. This is a dish you will want to make and eat the same day that you make it and just refrigerate leftovers. No freezing as it will not thaw properly, and the lettuce will be mushy.
📖 Recipe

Ranch BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 cup ranch dressing, divided
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ¾ cup Swiss cheese, finely grated
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 cup Romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
- salt & ground black pepper to preference
Instructions
- Cook the 8 ounces of rotini pasta according to package instructions; al dente and in plenty of salted water.
- Drain the pasta from the water and then gently toss with ½ cup Ranch dressing to lightly coat and prevent the pasta from sticking together. Refrigerate until cold.
- In a large bowl, toss to combine the cold prepared pasta with 1 cup tomatoes, ¾ cup Swiss cheese, ½ cup red onion, 1 cup bacon and 1 cup lettuce.
- Lastly, add in the other ½ cup Ranch dressing and gently stir to generously coat everything. Season to your preference with salt and ground black pepper.
Notes
- If you feel that your dressing is too thick, then you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk. This will help thin it out, without altering the flavor.
- Plan to eat this the day that you make it, as the lettuce will wilt pretty fast. Or keep lettuce separate and add it in before serving.
- Any pasta that is small to medium in size does work for this recipe. You can even use gluten-free pasta, chickpea, or protein pasta. Just cook as directed on the back of the package.
- You could swap the lettuce with spinach leaves or even kale if you would prefer.
- If you don't want to use Swiss cheese, then you can easily swap it with Mozzarella, pepper jack, cheddar, etc. Get creative or use your favorite cheese combination.
Nutrition
*All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands used, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
Original post date 11/22/2013. Updated 10/02/2018 and 06/01/2022.

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- Chicken Ranch Wraps
- Lemon Pasta Salad
- Warm Macaroni Salad
- Keto Ranch Dressing
Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy this delicious Ranch BLT Pasta Salad? Please share them in the comments below!
Moop Brown
BLTs are one of my favorite sandwiches and I like that in this recipe I can try it in a unique pasta salad form.
LaKita
Thank you Moop, same here!
Chenée
I made this to go with dinner tonight and everyone loved it! What a great idea for a side dish!
LaKita
Thank you so much, so happy to hear Chenée!
Mikayla
I had a lunch potluck I needed a new dish that would be different than anyone else's.
This salad quickly was a favorite and many people commented on how great is was.
LaKita
So happy to hear it went well at your potluck, thank you Mikayla!
Enri Lemoine
My favorite sandwich as a pasta bowl? This is genius, Lakita. Thank you for the inspiration.
LaKita
Exactly!! Thank you so much Enri!
Jamie
I made this pasta salad for a potluck and it was a huge hit! I added the dressing and tossed it right before serving and it was so delicious. Definitely making it again!
LaKita
Thank you Jamie! It is so perfect to share at potlucks this season.
Kim
Delicious! Super versatile and was a huge hit at our BBQ. I used Monterey Jack instead of Swiss for personal preference. So yummy!
LaKita
Thank you Kim, Monterey Jack sounds perfect as well!
Amy Liu Dong
This pasta recipe is so easy and looks so delicious.
I am so excited to make this for my family, and I am sure they will love it!
LaKita
Thank you Amy, it is so easy to make!
Megan
This is such a great recipe to toss together and everyone always loves it. Thanks so much for yet another family friend dish my family loves.
LaKita
Thank you so much Megan! So happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed the recipe.
Jenny
Beautiful ranch bacon (BLT) pasta recipe! You had me at bacon.
LaKita
Thank you Jenny, bacon makes everything better!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
When you need something for an outdoor meal, make this your go-to! Everyone loves the flavor combo! I could eat this often!
LaKita
Thank you Patricia, it's so perfect for outdoor meal this season 🙂