This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.
This easy BLT Pasta Salad is the perfect summer side dish for your next BBQ. It combines the flavors of a favorite sandwich in salad form.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
I am so ready for summer and all the cookouts and BBQ’s that come with it! Whenever we are invited to a summer time potluck cookout I always opt to take a side dish, and this BLT Pasta Salad is one of my favorites.
This BLT Pasta Salad takes one of our favorite summer time sandwiches, the BLT, and puts all the flavors into a salad. This pasta dish is a fun way to enjoy those traditional flavors and feed a crowd at the same time.
Ingredients Needed
- Farfalle (bow tie) or could also use rotini pasta, penne pasta, fusilli or your favorite pasta shape
- Crispy Bacon, cooked and cut into small pieces. Could also substitute turkey bacon.
- Cherry Tomatoes or chopped Roma tomatoes
- Green Onions or could substitute red onion
- Monterey Jack Cheese. You could also use Parmesan cheese, feta or cheddar cheese.
- Mayonnaise
- BBQ Sauce
- Garlic Powder
How to Make BLT Pasta Salad
- Boil water in a large pot and cook pasta according to package directions, until al dente.
- Drain and rinse.
- Cook bacon slices in a large skillet until crisp.
- Chop tomatos and green onions and put in a large bowl.
- Crumble cooked bacon and add to the bowl.
- Add pasta and cheese to the bowl.
- Mix together mayo, BBQ sauce and garlic powder.
- Add dressing to pasta bowl and toss to combine.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tips
- If making ahead, reserve some of the dressing to add in right before serving.
- Al dente pasta always works best in a pasta salad, to prevent it from becoming to soft.
- If you prefer, you could use a ranch dressing or a creamy ranch dressing from the grocery store although the dressing in the recipe is so easy and so yummy, you should try it.
- To add some flavor variation, add in some chopped red or green bell peppers, or avocado (add avocado right before serving)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you store leftover pasta salad?
This salad should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Can I make BLT pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, in fact, I recommend making it at least several hours ahead of time to give the flavors time to meld together. You could also make it a day ahead of time.
Check out more of my other favorite summer potluck dishes:
Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.
BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz box Signature Kitchen Farfalle
- 1/2 lb. Signature Farms Thick Cut Hickory Smoked Sliced Bacon, cooked crisped and diced
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 3 green onions diced
- 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese grated
- 1 cup Signature Kitchen mayonaise
- 4 Tbsp Signature Kitchen BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder.
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions in boiling water until cooked al dente. Drain and rinse.
- In a bowl, combined pasta, tomatoes, green onion, cheese and bacon.
- Mix together mayo, BBQ sauce and garlic powder.
- Add dressing to pasta bowl and stir to combine. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tips & Notes:
- If making ahead, reserve some of the dressing to add in right before serving.
- Al dente pasta always works best in a pasta salad, to prevent it from becoming to soft.
- If you prefer, you could use a ranch dressing or a creamy ranch dressing from the grocery store although the dressing in the recipe is so easy and so yummy, you should try it.
- To add some flavor variation, add in some chopped red or green bell peppers, or avocado (add avocado right before serving)
Nutrition Facts:
Sherri Wolles says
So easy and so good!
Brittany says
I came across this a few years ago and it’s been a staple for the summer months ever since! I usually use bacon bits because I hate cooking bacon, but it’s still super yummy! I’ve also been known to add chicken which is a great addition! I made a huge batch this year for my daughter’s 1st birthday and it was a hit! Everyone asked for the recipe! Thanks for this!!
ann crockett says
Love that you let me print recipe! Thanks so much – very helpful for planning, shopping and cooking. .
Ann Crockett
Andrea says
How long will this last in the refrigerator?
Leigh Anne says
Two to three days, you may need to add a little water or more dressing to it to “rehydrate” it a bit after a few days.
Nancy McPhee says
I just went out to the kitchen and made it,…Wanted to let it set until tomorrow, but we all had to try it. Guess I will have to make another one tomorrow. Everyone loved it!
Leigh Anne says
Nancy, I love it! I am so glad you all enjoyed the salad!!