BLT Ranch Pasta Salad Easy Weeknight Dinners Recipe

Some recipes just feel like a warm hug. For me, this BLT Ranch Pasta Salad Easy Weeknight Dinners is one of them. It’s the kind of dish that whispers of summer afternoons and tables crowded with family. If you love creamy, savory pasta dishes, you might also enjoy this creamy chicken ranch pasta with beef bacon.

It takes me right back to my grandma’s kitchen. The smell of bacon frying would mix with the sound of laughter from the porch. She had a way of turning simple things into a feast that felt like home.

This pasta salad is that feeling on a plate. It’s a creamy, savory salad that brings together the best of a classic sandwich and the heartiness of pasta. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight or a lazy summer lunch.

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: American
• Category: Pasta Salad
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 6-8

The Story Behind This Classic Recipe

This dish is a love letter to two American classics. The BLT sandwich and the creamy ranch pasta salad have been potluck staples for generations.

I remember my mom making a version of this for every church picnic. Her big glass bowl was always the first to empty. It was the taste of community and shared joy.

This recipe blends those traditions. It takes the timeless trio of bacon, lettuce, and tomato and folds it into a cool, creamy pasta. It’s a celebration of simple, honest food that brings people together.

What Makes This the *Traditional* Way

This isn’t about fancy twists. The traditional way is about honoring the original flavors. It’s about letting each classic ingredient shine.

We use real mayonnaise and buttermilk ranch for that authentic, creamy base. The bacon is cooked until crisp, not soft. The lettuce is fresh and crunchy, added at the very end.

It’s a no-shortcuts approach. The magic is in the combination, not in complicating it. This is how it was always meant to be made.

Recipe

BLT Ranch Pasta Salad Easy Weeknight Dinners Recipe

Make BLT Ranch Pasta Salad Easy Weeknight Dinners Recipe with simple ingredients and clear steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for cozy evenings.

Author: [email protected]

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 10 min | Total: 25 min

Serves: - 4 + bites

★ Rate 🖨 Print

The Classic Ingredients (No Fancy Stuff!)

• 1 lb (16 oz) short pasta, like rotini or shells
• 1 lb thick-cut bacon
• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 3 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
• 1 1/2 cups real mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup buttermilk ranch dressing
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

How to Make It Just Like Grandma Did

1

Cook the pasta in well-salted water according to package directions. Drain it well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Let it cool completely.

2

While the pasta cooks, chop the bacon into small pieces. Fry it in a skillet over medium heat until it’s very crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

3

In a very large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and ranch dressing. This is your creamy, dreamy base.

4

Add the completely cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss until every piece is well coated.

5

Now, fold in the crispy bacon, halved tomatoes, green onions, and cheese if you’re using it. Season with plenty of black pepper.

6

Right before you’re ready to serve, add the chopped lettuce. Gently mix it in. This keeps it wonderfully crisp and fresh.

Notes

Enjoy your homemade BLT Ranch Pasta Salad Easy Weeknight Dinners Recipe!

Nutrition Information

This is an indulgent, celebratory dish.:

For a lighter version, you can use a light mayonnaise and ranch dressing.:

Adding extra tomatoes and lettuce can boost the veggie content.:

Always check specific brand ingredients for exact nutritional values.:

Did You Make This?

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The Classic Ingredients (No Fancy Stuff!)

Gathering these simple ingredients is the first step to that perfect flavor. You likely have most of them in your kitchen right now. For another pasta dish that celebrates simple, fresh ingredients, try this bright and zesty lemon ricotta pasta.

• 1 lb (16 oz) short pasta, like rotini or shells
• 1 lb thick-cut bacon
• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 3 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
• 1 1/2 cups real mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup buttermilk ranch dressing
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

How to Make It Just Like Grandma Did

Follow these steps and you’ll have a perfect, creamy pasta salad in no time. The process is as comforting as the result.

1. Cook the pasta in well-salted water according to package directions. Drain it well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Let it cool completely.
2. While the pasta cooks, chop the bacon into small pieces. Fry it in a skillet over medium heat until it’s very crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
3. In a very large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and ranch dressing. This is your creamy, dreamy base.
4. Add the completely cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss until every piece is well coated.
5. Now, fold in the crispy bacon, halved tomatoes, green onions, and cheese if you’re using it. Season with plenty of black pepper.
6. Right before you’re ready to serve, add the chopped lettuce. Gently mix it in. This keeps it wonderfully crisp and fresh.

My Tips for Perfecting This Classic

A couple of small tricks make all the difference. They turn a good salad into a great one.

First, make sure your pasta is completely cool before you add the dressing. If it’s warm, it will soak up the dressing and make the salad dry.

Second, add the lettuce at the very last minute. This protects its crunch. No one likes soggy lettuce in their pasta salad.

How to Store and Enjoy Later

This salad is best enjoyed the day it’s made. The lettuce will stay at its peak crunch.

If you have leftovers, store them in a sealed container in the fridge. They will keep for 1-2 days. The flavors will still be delicious, though the lettuce will soften.

I don’t recommend freezing this one. The creamy dressing and fresh vegetables don’t hold up well to freezing and thawing.

Nutrition Notes

This is a hearty comfort food. Here’s a simple look at what’s in a serving.

• This is an indulgent, celebratory dish.
• For a lighter version, you can use a light mayonnaise and ranch dressing.
• Adding extra tomatoes and lettuce can boost the veggie content.
• Always check specific brand ingredients for exact nutritional values.

Your Questions About This Classic Recipe

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

You can prepare most of it ahead. Cook the pasta, make the dressing, and cook the bacon. Store them separately in the fridge. Combine everything, except the lettuce, an hour before serving. Add the lettuce right at the end.

What other pasta shapes work well?

Any short pasta with good nooks for holding dressing is perfect. I love rotini, farfalle (bows), or medium-sized shells. They all catch the creamy dressing and little bits of bacon beautifully.

Can I use a different dressing?

For the classic flavor, buttermilk ranch is key. Its tangy, herby profile is what makes this dish. A plain creamy Italian could work in a pinch, but it won’t taste quite the same.

I hope this recipe finds its way to your table on a warm evening. I hope it becomes a part of your own family’s story, just like it is in mine. If you’re looking for a pasta packed with vegetables, this spinach mushroom pasta is a fantastic choice.

There’s nothing quite like sharing a bowl of something this simple and good. It’s a little taste of nostalgia that you can make any night of the week.

Did you make this classic BLT Ranch Pasta Salad? I’d love to hear about it! Please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you and your family.