Crispy BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing
A quick and easy pasta salad combining crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a tangy creamy dressing, perfect for summer meals and potlucks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy
- 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce or romaine
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Rinse and halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, slice 3 green onions thinly, and shred 2 cups lettuce. Keep lettuce ready to add last to maintain crispness.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Add crumbled bacon, halved tomatoes, and green onions to cooled pasta. Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly. Fold in shredded lettuce carefully to keep it crunchy.
- Chill salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to let flavors meld, or serve immediately if preferred.
Notes
Cook bacon slowly over medium heat for best crispness. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and cool it. Fold lettuce in last to keep it crunchy. Chill salad for at least 15 minutes for best flavor. Store lettuce separately if prepping ahead to avoid sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy dressing, bacon pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, potluck recipe