Name: How to Make BLT Pasta Salad in 20 Minutes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb (454 g) bow-tie pasta (farfalle); 1 lb (454 g) thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and cut into strips or crumbled; 2 large ripe tomatoes, diced; 2 cups (300 g) cherry tomatoes, halved; 10 romaine lettuce leaves, washed, dried, and chopped; ⅓ cup (50 g) red onion, diced; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 cup (240 ml) zesty Italian dressing; ½ cup (120 ml) creamy Ranch dressing

Description

This easy BLT Pasta Salad combines crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp romaine lettuce, and bow-tie pasta with a creamy Italian-Ranch dressing. Ready in just 20 minutes, it's perfect for summer lunches, potlucks, BBQs, and picnics.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

For the Salad

1 lb (454 g) bow-tie pasta (farfalle)
1 lb (454 g) thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and cut into strips or crumbled
2 large ripe tomatoes, diced
2 cups (300 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
10 romaine lettuce leaves, washed, dried, and chopped
⅓ cup (50 g) red onion, diced
Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Dressing

1 cup (240 ml) zesty Italian dressing
½ cup (120 ml) creamy Ranch dressing

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Instructions

1. Prep the ingredients.
Wash and thoroughly dry the romaine, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Dice the large tomatoes and red onion and halve the cherry tomatoes.

2. Cook the pasta.
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the bow-tie pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.

3. Cook the bacon.
While the pasta cooks, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain, then cut into strips or crumble.

4. Cool the pasta and mix the dressing.
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Drain well and transfer to a large serving bowl. In a small bowl, combine the Italian and Ranch dressings.

5. Dress the pasta.
Pour the dressing over the cooled pasta and toss until evenly coated.

6. Finish the salad.
Add the crispy bacon, romaine, diced tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Toss gently to combine. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.

Notes

Cool the pasta completely before adding the lettuce.
Dry the lettuce and tomatoes thoroughly to prevent a watery dressing.
Cook the pasta al dente so it holds its shape after chilling.
For make-ahead preparation, keep the lettuce separate and add it shortly before serving.
Reserve a little dressing to refresh the salad before serving if necessary.
Taste before adding salt because the bacon and dressings are already salty.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American