Easy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe | Creamy Bacon Lettuce Tomato Side Dish
A creamy, crunchy BLT pasta salad with smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and tender pasta tossed in a tangy mayo-sour cream dressing. Perfect make-ahead side for cookouts, potlucks, and weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12 ounces short pasta (rotini, bowties, or shells)
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce (or a mix)
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar or Parmesan (optional)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or water, as needed to loosen dressing
- Extra chopped lettuce and chives for garnish
Instructions
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking, then shake off excess water very well.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until deeply crisp, transfer to a paper towel–lined plate, and crumble when cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt, Dijon, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of milk or water if the dressing seems too thick and should coat a spoon and drip slowly.
- Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing and fold until evenly coated.
- Gently fold in the tomatoes, crumbled bacon, red onion, and chives, then taste and adjust seasoning with more lemon, salt, or pepper.
- Right before serving, fold in the chopped lettuce and cheese if using, tossing lightly to keep the lettuce crisp.
- Garnish with extra chives and a crack of black pepper, and serve chilled or at cool room temperature.
Notes
For best texture, add lettuce and bacon just before serving. Store components separately up to 24 hours (dressed pasta and tomatoes in one container, bacon and lettuce in others). Revive leftovers with a splash of lemon juice or milk and fresh lettuce. Choose ridged or twisty pasta shapes to hold dressing and bacon. Romaine or iceberg work best for crunch. Turkey bacon can be used if cooked very crisp. Variations: add avocado, ranch seasoning, grilled chicken, fresh herbs, a spicy kick, whole-wheat pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, or blue cheese.