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.
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.
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.
Here is my Tomato Cucumber Salad that is great for last-minute additions to the party.
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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BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta, your choice of shape
- salt for boiling pasta and to taste on the salad
- 6 slices bacon
- ½ small onion
- 30 grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1-1½ cup baby lettuce, mixed colors
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 1 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons Pepper
- 2 teaspoons celery seed
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3-4 tablespoons Italian dressing
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to package directions.
- Turn on the oven to 375°F. Line a roasting pan with strips of bacon. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the desired crispness is reached. Drain on paper towels. Or make air fryer bacon
- When pasta is done, drain and cool. If you are in hurry, you can put it in the freezer for 10 minutes and stir. If it’s still needs to cool more, check it every 5 minutes, stirring every time you check it.
- Once bacon is cool enough to handle, rough chop it.
- Slice the tomatoes in half. Break the lettuce into bite-sized pieces. And chop the fresh herbs.
- Add bacon and all other ingredients to the bowl with the pasta and toss. Can be made a day ahead but don’t add the lettuce until just before you serve.
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Nutrition
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
Yum!! I love BLT’s just like you! This salad looks fabulous and I can’t wait to try your recipe!!
Thank you, Elaine! It’s quick and easy and will be devoured in a jiffy!
I love a good pasta salad in the summer, I’ll need to try this!
They are so great for BBQ’s aren’t they Emily? Thanks for checking it out!
I don’t think this would last long in my home – it looks and sounds wonderful. And yes, it’s sure to taste at it’s best right now with summertime tomatoes around.
Agreed, Julie! They are so much better in the summer! I’m always sad when I pick the last batch in the fall! Thank you for your comment!
I love BLT sandwich so BLT salad sounds super delicious to me. Thanks for sharing.
So do I! They are the best, aren’t they Edyta? Thank you for stopping by!
I’ve never had BLT pasta, surely I will try your recipe as a guide and will prepare a vegetarian version 🙂 Thanks for shring.
Thank you so much for your comment, Jagruti! I love adapting recipes to adjust them to my family’s tastes too!
Your recipe looks fabulous! I make a BLT pasta salad and it’s always the first thing gone at the bbq’s. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
It sure good! And so easy too! It didn’t last long at my house either! Thanks Debra!
I love BLT’s so I know that I am going to love this! Great for all our Summer BBQ’s too!
Honestly, who doesn’t love BLT’S Delicious! Thank you for stopping by Kristina!
Now THIS is my kind of pasta salad. It looks amazing!!! I love all of those flavors and textures.
Thank you Emily! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Have a great day!
My whole family loves BLT’s. This pasta salad version looks so delicious. I’ll pin it for later!
Thank you for your comment, Jill! It really is super!
BLT Pasta Salad is my favourite salad in the world! This looks so delicious!
I think it is my new favorite, too, Annie! Thanks for your comment!