BLT Pasta Salad
We’re taking everything you love about the classic BLT sandwich and turning it into a hearty, creamy, and ridiculously fresh pasta salad. Get ready for our amazing BLT Pasta Salad!
This dish is a genius mashup that captures all the best textures and flavors. We’re talking about perfectly cooked pasta tossed with crispy, salty bacon, fresh, juicy tomatoes, crunchy shredded lettuce, and a creamy, dreamy dressing that brings it all together. It’s comforting, refreshing, and an absolute crowd-pleaser.
And of course, we have to give credit where it’s due! This amazing concept and flavor profile was inspired by the incredibly talented Tieghan Gerard from @halfbakedharvest. She always knows how to take a simple idea and turn it into something unforgettable, and this salad is no exception.
Stop settling for boring sides! This salad is destined to be the star of your next cookout or the perfect easy weeknight companion.
Ready to whip up a batch? Let’s get cooking!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
Ingredients
Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 Tbsp minced parsley
- 1 Tbsp minced cilantro
- 1 Tbsp fresh chopped chives
- 1 jalapeno, seeded, if desired
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- salt & pepper
- 1–2 tsp lemon juice
Salad
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 1 1/2 cups cubed spicy cheese (we used a mix of cheddar & pepper jack)
- 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups grilled corn (about 3 ears)
- 8 sliced cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup thinly sliced leeks, sauteed and cooled
Instructions
Part 1: The Dressing
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Combine all the dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth.
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Taste and season the dressing with salt and pepper as needed.
Part 2: Cook the Pasta
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Cook the pasta until it is al dente, following the package directions.
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Drain the pasta well.
Part 3: Assembly & Serving
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In a large bowl, toss the hot pasta immediately with the dressing and the cheese cubes. Mixing the hot pasta with the dressing helps the flavors meld.
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Add the lettuce, tomatoes, corn, and leeks, and toss everything gently to combine.
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The salad can be served warm immediately or chilled and served cold later. The flavor will develop even more as it sits.
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Important: If you are preparing the salad ahead of time, hold the bacon and avocado and mix them in just before serving.
Notes
- Be sure to head over to http://www.halfbakedharvest.com for more food inspiration!
Keywords: Salad, Side Dish, Main Dish, BLT, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Jalapeno Dressing, Pasta
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