Easy salads might be one of my favourite things about summer. I love how easy they are to throw together and my BLT pasta salad is no exception. It’s creamy, satisfying, and delicious. This salad works well on its own for lunch or makes a welcome addition to any potluck or barbecue!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This salad is combines all of the delicious flavours of a classic BLT sandwich in a unique way. It’s creamy, satisfying, and fresh.
I love making a big bowl of this salad to keep in the fridge for quick lunches throughout the week; but as I mentioned before, it’s equally great for barbecues or potlucks! It’s familiar enough to please picky eaters, but unique enough to stand out at gatherings.
Ingredients
3 cups uncooked pasta (I like small shells)
5 cups romaine, chopped
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
4 cooked bacon strips, chopped
1/3 cup red onion, diced
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp garlic powder
How to Make BLT Pasta Salad
Cook your pasta according to the directions on package. Drain water and add pasta to a large bowl once finished cooking.
To the bowl, add in the cherry tomatoes, bacon, and red onion. Mix until well combined.
Add in the mayonnaise and garlic powder, stirring until well combined.
Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.
When it’s time to serve, add in the chopped romaine and give everything a final toss.
Notes + Tips
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Keep the lettuce crisp: If you’re making this ahead, store the chopped lettuce separately and mix it in right before serving.
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Make it your own: This is a pretty basic recipe (which I love), but it could easily be made more elevated with the addition of grilled chicken, cheddar cheese, or avocado.
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Serving tip: This salad is best served chilled, but not too cold. Let it sit out for 10 minutes before serving so all the flavours really pop.
Whether you’re lounging in the backyard or heading to a summer cookout, this BLT Pasta Salad is about to be your go-to side dish. Fresh, creamy, and full of texture — it’s basically summer in a bowl.
Let me know in a comment below if you decide to try my BLT Pasta Salad. I’d love to hear what you think or how you made it your own!
BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked pasta (I like small shells, but any pasta will do)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 5 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/3 cup red onion, diced
- 4 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to the directions on package. Drain water and add pasta to a large bowl once finished cooking.
- To the bowl, add in the cherry tomatoes, bacon, and red onion. Mix until well combined.
- Add in the mayonnaise and garlic powder, stirring until well combined.
- Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.
- When it’s time to serve, add in the chopped romaine and give everything a final toss.
