Creamy Crunchy BLT Pasta Salad
A delicious and easy-to-make pasta salad combining smoky bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy tangy dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, and quick weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
- 2 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup finely chopped red onion
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini or bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 6 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Chop 2 cups of iceberg or romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Halve 1 ½ cups of cherry tomatoes and finely chop ½ cup of red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh chives or parsley if desired. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Cook pasta al dente and rinse with cold water to prevent sogginess. Cook bacon until crispy for best texture. Toss salad gently to keep tomatoes and lettuce intact. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Add lettuce just before serving if storing leftovers to keep crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, summer side dish, easy pasta salad, picnic recipe