Ranch BLT Pasta Salad

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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.

Jump to:

• This Pasta Salad Recipe Is...
• Ingredient Notes
• Instructions
• Make-Ahead Salad
• Recipe Tips
• Storage
• Recipe
• MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

This Pasta Salad Recipe Is...

• Quick and Easy!
• Great lunch or dinner idea.
• Family Friendly
• Versatile in Ingredients Uses
• Light

Ingredient Notes

1. Pasta - I used rotini pasta for this pasta dinner. But you can use any medium-sized pasta like shells, bowties, etc.
2. 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.
3. Diced Tomatoes - Cherry or grape tomatoes work great for this recipe. You can use regular tomatoes that you 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 dice it up into small pieces so that it is easy to spread evenly all over the salad.
7. Lettuce - Iceberg or Romaine are both great lettuces to use for this recipe.
8. 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

Original post date 11/22/2013. Updated 10/02/2018 and 06/01/2022.

MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

• 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!