Go Back
BLT pasta salad with ranch dressing

BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch Dressing

A delightful and easy-to-make pasta salad featuring the classic flavors of a BLT sandwich combined with a creamy homemade ranch dressing, perfect for picnics or a light lunch.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

Pasta & Salad Base
  • 10 oz Rotini pasta Or preferred short pasta shape
  • 8 slices Bacon Cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 2 cups Cherry tomatoes Halved
  • 1 cup Shredded iceberg lettuce For crunch
Creamy Ranch Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup Buttermilk
  • 2 tsp Dried dill
  • 2 tsp Onion powder
  • 1 clove Garlic Minced
  • 1 tbsp Fresh chives Chopped
  • 1/2 tsp Salt Or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper Freshly ground

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain immediately after cooking and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the ranch dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, dried dill, onion powder, minced garlic, chives, salt, and pepper until completely smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  3. Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove the bacon, let it cool slightly on paper towels, and then crumble it into small pieces.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled, drained pasta, crumbled bacon, and halved cherry tomatoes.
  5. Pour about three-quarters of the prepared ranch dressing over the pasta mixture. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and mix-ins are evenly coated.
  6. Gently fold in the shredded iceberg lettuce last to maintain its crunch. Add more dressing if you prefer a creamier salad, saving some for serving if desired. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

For a stronger tomato flavor, consider mixing in 1/2 cup of finely diced, drained Roma tomatoes along with the cherry tomatoes. This salad is best served cold. If making ahead, slightly under-dress, as the lettuce will absorb moisture upon chilling.