Next Post
30 Minute Korean Beef and Avocado Rice Rolls.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
With double the bacon, this BLT Pasta Salad with Jalapeño Basil Ranch is the perfect summer salad. It’s almost no-cook and comes together in minutes. It has extra crispy bacon, romaine lettuce, and cherry tomatoes all tossed together with my creamy, spicy jalapeño basil ranch dressing. Toss in some cubes of cheddar cheese, grilled corn, and chunks of avocado and you’ll be good to go. This pasta salad is simple to toss together, super flavorful, and one of those recipes that everyone LOVES. Perfect for serving at your next backyard dinner. Enjoy this for dinner and save the leftovers for lunch!
I’m on a pasta salad kick this spring/summer. Well, pasta salads and ice cream, I’ve been making both on repeat. Usually, I’d have issue with all of this repetitiveness, but I’ve loved all of the recipes I’ve been sharing. each one even more than the last.
If it’s a good recipe, it needs to be shared. And you all, this pasta salad is a really GOOD recipe.
I’m not sure exactly what inspired me to mix this up. But a week or so ago I just felt like making a really yummy, simple BLT pasta. First, I wanted to make sure I hadn’t created anything like this BLT recipe I was dreaming of. So I searched BLT on the HBH site. I was surprised to see the scant number of “BLT” dishes that came up.
Over the past 10+ years, I’ve created only a handful of BLT dishes, and never a pasta salad. That was all I needed to make up my mind to move forward with this pasta.
Now the details
One of the biggest reasons I’m loving pasta salads so much is the simple fact that they’re usually easy to make. And that is just the case with this BLT pasta salad.
Simply mix the dressing, boil your favorite cut of short-cut pasta, then toss everything together.
Step 1: make the ranch dressing
This is one of my favorite dressings, especially for summer. It’s very creamy and easy to make with fresh basil, cilantro, and then the usual ranch ingredients. Mayo, buttermilk, chives, Worcestershire, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Personally, I love to toss in a jalapeño too.
Blend everything up in a blender or food processor until creamy – super easy to do. This really adds all the flavor!
Step 2: cook the pasta
I recommend using a shortcut pasta with ridges, but whatever your favorite pasta cut is will work just fine.
Step 3: toss the salad
Toss the hot pasta immediately with the dressing and cubes of sharp, spicy cheddar cheese. The heat from the pasta will intensify the flavors of the herbs and melt those cubes of cheese.
It’s going to smell wonderful, but taste even more DELICIOUS. This is a small little secret my dad taught me for making the best pasta salad.
Step 4: add everything else
Once the pasta is tossed with the dressing, mix in the cherry tomatoes, lettuce, grilled or roasted corn, and then of course, lots and lots of crispy bacon. YUM!
You can eat this warm or at room temperature. I love hot food, so I like this best while it’s still a little warm.
What I will say is that the longer the pasta sits, the more flavor it develops, so this is also perfect for making ahead. Just be sure to add the bacon and avocado right before serving to ensure the bacon is crispy and the avocado is the perfect shade of green.
Looking for other summer salad recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad
Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad with Tomatoes and Burrata
Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad
Lastly, if you make this BLT Pasta Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
BLT Pasta Salad
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 462 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Jalapeño Ranch Dressing
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped chives
- 1 jalapeño, seeded, if desired
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- kosher salt and black pepper
Salad
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 1 cup cubed spicy cheddar cheese
- 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups grilled corn (about 3 ears)
- 8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 avocado, diced
Instructions
- 1. To make the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain.3. In a large bowl, toss together the hot pasta with dressing and cubes of cheese. Mix in the lettuce, tomatoes, corn, bacon, and avocado, gently tossing to combine. 4. Serve warm or cold. The salad will develop more flavor as it sits. If serving later, add the bacon and avocado just before serving.
My family LOVED this! We don’t tend to eat much dressing but the Jalapeno Ranch was amazing! Definitely one of our favorite recipes from your site!
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! xT
Absolutely delicious! A crowd winner!
Hi Diana,
Happy Monday!! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your review:)
Hi – If I make the dressing ahead of time – how long will it last in the fridge?
Thanks
Hi Lisa,
I would say the dressing is good for about 1 week! Please let me know if you have any other questions:) xT
I can’t get enough of this pasta salad! SERIOUSLY one of the best things I’ve ever eaten because it’s so flavorful!
Hi Josh,
Happy Wednesday!!🫐🍒🍓 I’m so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and your feedback! xT
This salad is sooooo delicious!!!We have some leftovers. How long will this salad keep in the refrigerator?
Hi Jacqueline,
Happy Monday!! I am thrilled to hear that this dish turned out well for you, thanks for trying it and your comment! I would say the leftovers are good for 2 days! 🌼🌸 xx
I doubled up on the dressing as other reviewers noted and that worked out well. I made a dairy and gluten free version; it was a hit at my summer barbecue! Thank you!
Hi Emme,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thank you so much for giving it a try! Have a great weekend:) xx
This is the 2nd time I made this recipe. It is absolutely delicious! Everyone loves it, thank you!
Hi Holly,
Love to hear this!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your feedback! Have a great day! xT
How long will dressing last in fridge?
Hi Melissa,
The dressing is good for 2 weeks in the fridge:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope this recipe turns out well for you! xT
Thank you!! I made this the other week and it was amazing!!! I just wanna have extra of this amazing dressing to throw on other salads ❤️
Exceptional! Loved everything about this recipe. The dressing is epic! 10⭐️ Making it again tomorrow because sadly there were no leftovers 😕
Hi there,
Amazing!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and sharing your feedback! Thanks for making it:) xx
Delicious! I would probably double the dressing next time I make it! And there will be a next time 😀
Hi Eliana,
Happy Monday!!☀️🌊 I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear that it was a hit! xT
This, salad was delicious. The only item I added was dill, since it was growing in the garden.
Everyone loved it and it was very easy to put together. Definitely worth making. I like the fact it can be made ahead of time and goes great with a barbeque.
Hi Rita,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and your feedback!🌼🥑 xx
Does the addition of buttermilk make a huge difference?
Hi Ashley,
You could use another milk too! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Amazing pasta salad! Omitted the jalapeño because I don’t like spice, but still so amazing!
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment! So glad to hear that it turned out well for you:) xT
Hi!! I really want to try this recipe but I don’t like Mayo. Any suggestions for a substitute?
Hi Jessica,
How about greek yogurt? That should work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope it’s delish! xT
Absolutely love this pasta salad! I did 1/2 cup spicy cheddar and 1/2 cup spicy Gouda. Also threw in 1/2 diced red onion because I had one to use up. My new potluck go to.
Hi Heather,
Happy Wednesday!!🍊🍋 I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xx