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Easy Blt Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing Summer Recipe

Easy BLT Pasta Salad

This Easy BLT Pasta Salad is the kind of summer recipe I love bringing to potlucks, picnics, and easy weeknight dinners. It has all the fresh, familiar flavors you want, with a creamy ranch dressing that ties everything together beautifully.
It’s bright, creamy, and loaded with classic BLT flavor in every bite. The pasta makes it hearty enough for lunch or dinner, and it comes together quickly with simple ingredients you probably already know and love.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz pasta such as rotini, bowties, or shells
  • 2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup crisp turkey bacon cooked and chopped
  • 2 cup romaine lettuce chopped
  • 0.5 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 0.75 cup ranch dressing
  • 0.25 cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain it well, then rinse with cool water so it stops cooking and cools down faster.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, and a little salt. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed.
  • Add the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, turkey bacon, romaine lettuce, red onion, and cheddar cheese to the bowl with the dressing.
  • Gently toss everything until evenly coated. Serve right away for the freshest texture, or chill it briefly if you want it extra cold.

Notes

Let the pasta cool before adding the lettuce so it stays crisp. If you are making this ahead, keep the lettuce separate and stir it in just before serving. I also like to season the dressing first, then taste the finished salad after tossing, since the pasta can mellow the flavor a bit.
Try adding diced avocado for a creamy twist, or swap in cucumber for extra crunch. You can also use whole wheat pasta for a heartier texture, or add grilled chicken if you want to make it more filling.
This pasta salad pairs well with grilled chicken, burgers, corn on the cob, or simple fruit salad. It also works nicely beside sandwiches, wraps, or a light soup for an easy summer meal.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Since the lettuce softens over time, this salad is best enjoyed fresh. There is no need to reheat it, just give it a quick stir before serving.