BLT Pasta Salad

This BLT pasta salad is a cool and creamy side that fits right in at summer picnics, backyard meals, and easy patio lunches. It has everything people love about a classic BLT, mixed into tender pasta with a smooth, tangy dressing that coats every bite.

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A mix of chives and parsley adds a soft herb flavor without taking over. Finely chopped onion gives just enough bite. Celery seed adds a subtle, savory note that makes the salad feel familiar yet a little more interesting. The dressing is creamy but not heavy, with a slight zing that keeps it balanced and easy to eat.

This is the kind of pasta salad people scoop up first at a party. It sits well on the table and tastes even better after it chills. It pairs well with grilled food and disappears fast at potlucks.

If you like simple salads that still feel special, this one belongs on your summer list.

What You Need

• Pasta: Your favorite shape is fine. But remember to use short pasta, like elbows, fusilli, farfalle, orriechetti, shells, bowtie, penne or rotini pasta.
• Bacon: Crispy bacon. Cook it in the oven, a skillet, or an air fryer. You can use pork or turkey bacon.
• Lettuce: Use fresh leaf lettuce, iceberg or Romaine lettuce.
• Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes are best. Buy them from a farm stand or the farmer’s market for the best flavor.
• Onion: Finely diced yellow or red onion.
• Chives: Chopped fresh chives.
• Parsley: Use chopped fresh parsley.
• Celery Seed: Celery seed adds a fresh flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: to taste
• Mayonnaise: Use a good quality mayonnaise, not salad dressing which has a lot of sugar in it.
• Italian Dressing: The dressing adds a nice zing and reduces the amount of mayonnaise needed.

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How to Make it

• Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions until it has a slightly al dente texture. Drain it and put in a large bowl.
• Crisp up the bacon. Try our air fryer bacon; it’s an easier cleanup than the oven or stovetop.
• While the pasta is cooking, slice the tomatoes in half, break the lettuce, and chop the herbs.
• Cool the pasta in the fridge for an hour or so. Combine the mayo with the dressing to form a creamy dressing for the salad.
• Mix all of the ingredients together and top with the mayonnaise and dressing. Toss and serve.

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Here is my Tomato Cucumber Salad that is great for last-minute additions to the party.

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Here’s a high protein pasta salad that is incredibly easy and super delicious.

This BLT sandwich look alike. You will love this super-easy side dish! Try it at your next party and let me know what you think!

Enjoy! And have fun cooking!

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Originally published June 13, 2017. Updated January 30, 2026.

• Recipe Name: BLT Pasta Salad
• Type: Side Dish
• Main Ingredients: Pasta, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, Italian dressing
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes plus chilling time
• Yield: Serves 6 to 8
• Special Equipment: Large mixing bowl, pasta pot
• Great For: Summer picnics, potlucks, backyard meals, cookouts