BLT Pasta Salad

Introduction

This BLT Pasta Salad is a fresh, creamy, and satisfying dish that’s perfect for warm summer days. Combining crispy bacon, crunchy romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and tender pasta, it delivers all the classic BLT flavors in a delicious salad form. Whether served as a quick lunch, picnic favorite, or a side dish for grilled meals, this recipe is always a crowd-pleaser and easy to make ahead.

Ingredients

Salad

• 1 lb bacon, cooked until crispy, drained, and chopped
• 2 heads of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 3 cups rotini pasta, cooked, drained, and cooled
• 1–2 cups diced tomatoes

Dressing

• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons tomato powder (optional but recommended)
• 2 teaspoons celery salt (or to taste)
• 1 tablespoon dried dill (or to taste)
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon
   Arrange the bacon on a baking sheet and place it in a cold oven. Set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 15 minutes, or until crispy. Remove, drain on paper towels, let cool, then chop into pieces.
2. Prepare the lettuce
   Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
3. Cook the pasta
   Boil the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and let it cool completely.
4. Make the dressing
   In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, tomato powder, celery salt, dill, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
5. Assemble the salad
   In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped lettuce, and diced tomatoes. Pour in the dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated.
6. Chill
   Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to let the flavors blend.
7. Add bacon and serve
   Just before serving, stir in the chopped bacon to keep it crispy.

Conclusion

This BLT Pasta Salad is the ultimate easy summer dish—creamy, crunchy, and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or backyard barbecues. Make it once, and it’ll quickly become a regular favorite in your kitchen!