Description

This BLT Pasta Salad combines all your favorite flavors from a classic BLT sandwich into a refreshing pasta salad. Featuring al dente bow tie pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and savory bacon, all tossed in a creamy ranch and barbecue sauce dressing with a hint of black pepper. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, potlucks, or summer gatherings, this salad is served chilled for a delightful, flavorful bite every time.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

2½ cups uncooked bow tie pasta

Salad

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 medium tomato, diced
4 cooked bacon strips, chopped

Dressing

½ cup ranch dressing
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Cook the bow tie pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta and stop the cooking process.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, diced tomato, and chopped cooked bacon strips. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, and black pepper until smooth and well blended.
Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve the salad chilled for a refreshing and tasty dish.

Notes

To make this salad vegetarian, omit the bacon and consider adding smoked paprika or a plant-based bacon alternative for smoky flavor.
For a lighter version, use a reduced-fat ranch dressing or substitute with Greek yogurt mixed with herbs.
Be sure to rinse the pasta with cold water to prevent it from sticking and to cool it down quickly for salad use.
Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavors and texture.
This salad can be made a few hours ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.