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Home » Recipes » Salads

Published: Aug 28, 2024 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch

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Overhead view of finished pasta salad in large glass mixing bowl.
Overhead view of serving of finished salad in white bowl by a fork on marble surface.
Close up side view of serving of pasta in white bowl.
Close up view of finished pasta in white bowl by a fork on marble surface.
Two photos of finished pasta salad in bowl on pin with text overlay.
Overhead view of finished pasta salad in large glass bowl on pin with text overlay.
Four process photos to make pasta salad on pin with text overlay.
Overhead view of finished pasta salad in large glass mixing bowl.

This BLT Pasta Salad with ranch is a light and simple recipe that is loaded with so many delicious flavors, including creamy ranch dressing, lettuce, pasta, and chopped bacon.

If you're craving even more ranch flavor, then be sure to try making your own homemade Ranch Dressing recipe. For more taste pasta salad options, try making Chicken Macaroni Salad and Lemon Pasta Salad.

Overhead view of finished pasta salad in white bowl on marble surface by a fork.

This pasta salad combines everything that you love about a good BLT sandwich. Salty bacon, crispy lettuce, and tangy tomato. Plus add in some cooked pasta, Swiss cheese, and ranch dressing. You will have a delicious savory bite.

Even though I have provided ingredient measurements, you may add as much or as little of the ingredients as you would like. There are no rules when it comes to making this pasta. If you prefer more bacon than lettuce, then you can go ahead and add more of it. It's your kitchen and this is a no judgement zone.

This pasta salad also refrigerates very well and tastes even better the next day. This recipe is so simple to make and will make a great addition to any meal or could even be the meal itself.

Let's get started!

Why You'll Love This Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

  • It's quick and easy to make!
  • Perfect Meal Idea - Great option for lunch, dinner, or side dish, main dish.
  • Family Friendly - Everyone in the family is sure to love this recipe, especially since there's crispy bacon in it.
  • Versatile - The ingredients are easy to substitute for options that you prefer. Try using buttermilk ranch dressing or turkey bacon.
  • Light - Made using fresh ingredients for a lighter fare.

Ranch Pasta Salad Ingredients

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make pasta salad in separate bowls on marble surface.
  1. Pasta - I used rotini pasta for this pasta dinner. But you can use any short pasta like shells, bowties, elbow macaroni, penne, etc.
  2. Ranch Salad Dressing - Feel free to add more ranch dressing to flavor it to your taste preference. Or if you want less, then go ahead and do ½ cup to ¾ cup instead of a full cup. You may also substitute with low-fat dressing or any other versions.
  3. Diced Tomatoes - Cherry or grape tomatoes work great for this pasta salad recipe. You could also use regular tomatoes that you need to dice up yourself into small pieces. 
  4. 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. 
  5. Swiss Cheese - Grab a block of Swiss and then use a grater to finely grate it. 
  6. Bacon - Any brand of bacon works, just cook it until it is crisp, and then dice it up into smaller pieces so that it's easy to spread all over the salad.
  7. Lettuce - Iceberg or Romaine are both great lettuce options to use for this recipe.
  8. Salt and Pepper - Coarse salt and ground black pepper are used to add flavor and overall taste to the pasta salad.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

How to Make This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe

Begin the salad recipe by cooking the pasta according to package directions; al dente and in plenty of salty water. Drain the pasta, then toss with the ranch dressing to lightly coat and prevent the pasta from sticking together. Refrigerate until cold.

Overhead view of cooked pasta and dressing in glass mixing bowl.

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

Ingredients to make pasta salad added to glass mixing bowl.

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

Overhead view of finished pasta salad in large glass mixing bowl.

Recipe Variations & 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 you make it, as the lettuce will wilt pretty fast. Or hold the lettuce separately and add it in just 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, parmesan cheese, or cheddar cheese. Get creative or use your favorite cheese combination.
  • Top the pasta salad with your favorite croutons before serving.
Close up view of serving of pasta salad in white bowl on marble surface.

Storage Tips

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. 

Freezing. This pasta salad can not be frozen. This is a dish you 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. 

Make-Ahead Pasta Salad

This ranch pasta salad is great to be made in advance. You can make it up to 24 hours in advance. I recommend keeping the lettuce out until you are close to serving it up. The lettuce may 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.

Close up side view of serving of pasta in white bowl.

Want More Easy Recipes? Try These:

  • Hibachi Ginger Dressing
  • Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing
  • Pear Walnut Blue Cheese Salad
  • Easy Lasagna Recipe
  • Warm Macaroni Salad
  • Bacon Frittata
  • Easy Bacon Mac and Cheese
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Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ways to enjoy this delicious BLT Pasta Salad Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!

📖 Recipe

Overhead view of finished pasta salad in large glass mixing bowl.

BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch

LaKita Anderson
This BLT Pasta Salad with ranch is a simple recipe that's loaded with delicious flavors, including creamy dressing, lettuce, pasta, and bacon.
5 from 13 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 543 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large mixing bowl

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 you make it, as the lettuce will wilt pretty fast. Or hold the lettuce separately and add it in just 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, parmesan cheese, or cheddar cheese. Get creative or use your favorite cheese combination.
  • Top the pasta salad with your favorite croutons before serving.
Calories: 543kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 15gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 654mgPotassium: 312mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 871IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 159mgIron: 1mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword blt pasta salad
Tried This Recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @simplylakita on social!

Original post date 11/22/2013. Updated 06/01/2022 and 08/28/2024.

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Comments

    5 from 13 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Moop Brown says

    June 06, 2022 at 2:17 am

    BLTs are one of my favorite sandwiches and I like that in this recipe I can try it in a unique pasta salad form.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 06, 2022 at 9:48 am

      Thank you Moop, same here!

      Reply
  2. Chenée says

    June 06, 2022 at 1:47 am

    5 stars
    I made this to go with dinner tonight and everyone loved it! What a great idea for a side dish!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 06, 2022 at 9:48 am

      Thank you so much, so happy to hear Chenée!

      Reply
  3. Mikayla says

    June 05, 2022 at 5:40 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 05, 2022 at 10:27 pm

      So happy to hear it went well at your potluck, thank you Mikayla!

      Reply
  4. Enri Lemoine says

    June 05, 2022 at 6:35 am

    5 stars
    My favorite sandwich as a pasta bowl? This is genius, Lakita. Thank you for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 05, 2022 at 10:25 pm

      Exactly!! Thank you so much Enri!

      Reply
  5. Jamie says

    June 04, 2022 at 9:09 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 05, 2022 at 10:24 pm

      Thank you Jamie! It is so perfect to share at potlucks this season.

      Reply
  6. Kim says

    June 04, 2022 at 4:29 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Super versatile and was a huge hit at our BBQ. I used Monterey Jack instead of Swiss for personal preference. So yummy!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 05, 2022 at 10:24 pm

      Thank you Kim, Monterey Jack sounds perfect as well!

      Reply
  7. Amy Liu Dong says

    June 04, 2022 at 8:40 am

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 05, 2022 at 10:23 pm

      Thank you Amy, it is so easy to make!

      Reply
  8. Megan says

    June 03, 2022 at 3:05 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 05, 2022 at 10:23 pm

      Thank you so much Megan! So happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed the recipe.

      Reply
  9. Jenny says

    June 02, 2022 at 5:08 am

    5 stars
    Beautiful ranch bacon (BLT) pasta recipe! You had me at bacon.

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 02, 2022 at 1:27 pm

      Thank you Jenny, bacon makes everything better!

      Reply
  10. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    June 01, 2022 at 10:59 pm

    5 stars
    When you need something for an outdoor meal, make this your go-to! Everyone loves the flavor combo! I could eat this often!

    Reply
    • LaKita says

      June 02, 2022 at 1:27 pm

      Thank you Patricia, it's so perfect for outdoor meal this season 🙂

      Reply
Head shot bio photo of LaKita in an orange shirt.

Hi, I'm LaKita. I'm a Lifelong home cook and self-taught baker. I've been sharing modern comfort food through food blogging, recipe development, and photography since 2013.

More about me →

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