BLT Pasta Salad

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4th of JulyBaconEasyEatsLunchParty FoodPastapicnicpotluckRanchSaladssavorySide DishSummerTomatoes

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Bacon, lettuce and tomato are piled high in this BLT Pasta Salad! It’s like the classic sandwich but with a few special changes. Everything is coated in a creamy ranch dressing that makes it all taste fresh and delicious!

BLT Pasta Salad - Life In The Lofthouse (1)

This BLT Pasta Salad is absolutely wonderful. It’s become one of those side dishes I’m always asked to bring to any barbecue or potluck (along with my Lunch Lady Brownies). It’s so popular because it is just amazing!

Bacon, lettuce and tomato are just a few of the things inside this BLT Pasta Salad! It’s like the classic sandwich but with a few special changes. Everything is coated in a creamy ranch dressing that makes it all taste so fresh and delicious!

BLT Pasta Salad - Life In The Lofthouse (2)

The original recipe calls for mayo. You all know I despise mayo, so I replaced it with ranch dressing. It gave it amazing flavor. You could also add some chopped grilled chicken to this as well to serve as a main course.

I think after you make this you will love it as much as everyone else. 😉 I’m sure it will make many appearances at your summer cookouts and barbecues too!

MORE DELICIOUS PASTA SALADS YOU MAY LIKE:

California Pasta Salad

Tri Color Pasta Salad

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Chicken Strawberry Pasta Salad

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5 from 10 votes

Bacon, lettuce and tomato are piled high in this BLT Pasta Salad! It's like the classic sandwich but with a few special changes!

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Author Holly

Ingredients

2 ½ cups uncooked bow tie pasta
6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 medium tomato, diced
4 cooked bacon strips, chopped
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1 Tablespoon barbecue sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Then rinse pasta under cold water.
In a large bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, tomato, bacon and pasta.
Drizzle the ranch dressing and barbecue sauce over the top. Gently toss to coat evenly. Season with pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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BLT Pasta Salad - Life In The Lofthouse (4)

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Sounds great,but since most in our home HATE Ranch dressing,too salty,how much mayonnaise can i replace it with? Thanks so much!
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1. You can use about 1/4 cup mayo, and add a 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar with it (that’s what the original recipe calls for) 🙂
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  1. I add a little dill to the mayo and vinegar and thin it with milk if necessary with a sprinkle of sugar . Not a ranch fan either . The dill gives it a fresh flavor
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    1. I think that sounds delicious, Carol!
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  2. When you do use the mayo, do you still add the BBQ sauce too?
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    1. Yes I always use the barbecue sauce 🙂
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  3. How many servings does this recipe make
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    1. About 6 servings 🙂
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  4. Hi holly,
    just wondering if 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice can be used instead of white vinegar?
    thank you.
    Reply
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    1. I’m sure that would work fine 🙂
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2. Lighthouse makes a really good bacon blue cheese dressing that’s a good substitue for the ranch. I’m not a Ranch fan.
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3. What i have found to be delish is to mix the powered ranch dressing with mayo . It make a great sanwich spread as well as a salad dressing. I don’t find it to be too salty, just tangy.
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  1. That is exactly what we do! So good!
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4. haha thanks Lisa, I was just about to ask the same thing, not a ranch lover…
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First of all, I truly hope u r feeling much better and u will not have to even use your medicine much. I love your recipes but most of all I am so glad to hear that u do not like mayo either! I can not tolerate it! Thanks again for your website and prayers to you!
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1. Thank you so much, Sharon 🙂
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Hey Holly, I had to tell you I have made this pasta salad 3 times since it landed in my inbox last week! lol. 2 times for my sister who said it was so good she needed a second batch….just to make sure she wasn’t dreaming! And then again this weekend for my husband who was skeptical but then said it was so good and refreshing that he would like to have just that for lunch! He didn’t even want to add meat! Amazing. So thanks for sharing.
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1. Dawn! That is so great you love it that much! I am so happy. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
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Would this work for a packed lunch? Looks and sounds delicious. Hope you are feeling much better.
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1. Thanks Adele, I am feeling a lot better! I would only recommend this for a packed lunch if you make it the morning of. The lettuce can get soggy so I suggest eating it within a few hours of making it. 🙂
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  1. I use this as a packed lunch and keep the dressing in a separate container. I make the rest of the salad the night before and it’s been good.
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Do you think you could use ceaserdressing instead of the ranch?
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1. Erica, yes you could switch out the ranch for Caesar. I think that would be delicious!
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This sounds so delicious! I’m plan on making it for an event at my church. Would you happen to know how much ingredients I should buy to fill a 9×13 container?
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Ooh, this looks amazing! Looking forward to checking out your site for meal planning. Plus, I think my husband would eat this, yay!
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I tried this recipe last night and I loved it! I added mozzarella cheese to mine:) It was a big hit and so easy.
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Do you mix the ranch and barbecue sauce together then drizzle? Please let me know. This looks really good and would love to try it. Thank you.
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Hi! Can you give s suggestion to replace the bbq sauce? We don’t usually have that in our pantry.
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1. Tbsp of ketchup with a splash of mustard and hone works
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  1. Honey I mean
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Saw this on Pinterest and thought it looked so delicious, but figured it was slathered in mayo (which I think is probably the most disgusting thing on the planet…) SO HAPPY I opened this recipe up!! Finally an amazing food blogger I can follow that hates mayo as much as I do, but still has delicious recipes. Life-changing? I’d say so…;)
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1. Haha! Thanks, Kylee 😀
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Thanks for this wonderfull recipe. I will try it. Hope will be able to make this one. As you are beside me.
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Do you know how many calories are in this recipe?? I changed the recipe a little with a regular head of lettuce (half a head) 5 pieces of bacon and Jim bean honey barbecue sauce and left out the pepper. Was still absolutely delicious (total keeper! We are trying to eat healthier). If I knew how many calories the original recipe was I think my variation would be somewhere close in that same ball park. Found your recipe on Pinterest and definitely glad I came across it!
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I never comment on recipes, but this was too good not to. Thanks for the recipe! Super delicious!
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This was delicious !! It looked good but I did have my doubts when I put it together. I was very surprised. My son ate almost all of it !!. I did add a little chopped red onion and a little of small cut up sharp cheese. I also mixed the 2 dressings together and put that in a bowl in the refrigerator until ready to mix the salad. VERY good !!
Definitely one I will make again… thanks
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This looks so good! It is the perfect side dish for a summer BBQ 🙂
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I am doing this tonight with grilled chicken cut up, peppered bacon and whatever else I can find…the BBQ caught my eye, has to be amazing….
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Hope you are feeling better. I made a salad similar and it calculated the WW Plus points which we try to follow.
I like how your lettuce is cut or torn bigger mine said to shred but my dressing was made with
1tsp cider vinegar
1/2 cup fat free mayo (used lite)
1/3 c sour cream (lite)
1Tbs Dijon mustard
sprinkle of salt and pepper. really tasted good. made 6 servings with using 3 and 2/3 c pasta I used shells sliced up cherry tomatoes into quarters about 3 cups 4 bacon slices and the lettuce around 3 cups…WW points 3 per 1/2 cup and the new Smart Points 4.
so since it was low in points and filling had it as a snack….
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This sounds amazing… Ranch is pretty much unavailable here in my country so I would replace this with mayonaise… (we have deliciously creamy mayonaise)…
I am going on a 12 hour bus ride tomorrow and was looking for a good recipe to take with me.. This sounds delicious I am going to make this tonight and put the lettuce in a ziplock bag for last minute adding.. I’ll also add some pulled chicken.. and add some cheese 🙂
I’m already looking forward to this… this sounds like if you leave out the pasta and put the rest of the mixture on a wrap this would be pretty good too 🙂 Getting all kinds of inspiration here now 😉
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Okay, first of all, AMAZING RECIPE!!!!!!!! I love it so much. I’m currently on summer break from high school, and I often get very bored during the day. I decided to browse Pinterest, and I saw your salad and fell in love with it. The picture looked incredible, so I decided to make it then and there. I’m not one that likes salads at all, or cooking, but this recipe was phenomenal and super easy!! I will definitely make it again for my family
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Not a fan of BBQ sauce unless its on meat so I substituted the ranch/bbq sayce with thousand island.. yum!
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1. Yum! I love the 1000 Island substitute! 😀
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Made this today, and it was “Awesome!” Didn’t change a thing. This is a keeper, Thanks for sharing
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All of my kids loved this. My 15 yr old son said that this is the only acceptable way to eat a salad.
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Can it be served cold… Like can I make it in the morning… store it in the fridge and then take it out for party time?
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Made this for a family bbq and everyone loved it. I made it the night before and just added the lettuce the next morning. I also used Pene as I couldn’t get Bow Knot pasta. It makes a very large amount and we have been enjoying the leftovers. I didn’t have ranch dressing either so in an almost empty mayo jar I put some cream and garlic and shook together, it was a very nice option.
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Hi…can I make this the night before and just add the lettuce the day of ?
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1. I can’t tell you how much me and my husband love this recipe. I’m kinda lazy with the bacon, so I just buy bacon crumbles, cause I would just eat all the bacon instead of putting it in the salad. I made it for a Memorial day picnic and my best friend’s mom wanted me to make it for her other grandchild’s confirmation party. I also add avocado to it to up the healthy factor. love love love this recipe
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This is a favorite in our home. It’s not always easy finding something that all five of my kids like, let alone love.
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My boyfriend loves this recipe and it’s easy to make-ahead or make in bulk for potlucks and such. Ranch dressing isn’t a “thing” where I’m from so I found a recipe to make it myself, it tastes great! Making it yourself means you can also adjust it to your own preference (less fat, salt, sugar). I just saw a comment saying they added grilled chicken, I think I’ll try that next time 🙂
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This looks delicious! What wines would you pair with this?
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It was fantastic. I made it for a work lunch and it was a huge success. I will definitely make this again, and again, and again. Wish I could post a picture of how it turned out. Thank you for a wonderful meal.
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Oh wow this looks fabulous!! I’m always looking for new takes on classics, and this sounds perfect. My husband would just love it! Thanks!!!
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Glad you are feeling better and nothing really serious . I have never made this BLT salad but I will fix this hopefully this weekend . I love ranch dressing . Stay well , love your recipes !!!!!!!!
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After reading these salad recipes I want to try the benr …
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Made this for my tribe on our recent summer vacay. It was a HIT and my hubs hates ranch. There wasn’t any left over. I cannot wait to make it for our next gathering.
I made sure to feature this one on my blog! Thank you big for such a yummy recipe.
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I’m planning on featuring this recipe in a roundup of Fire-Free Camping Meals on my blog: inourpond.com
Thank you!
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Hi,
I was looking for new lunch ideas for my husband and came across your recipe. It looks absolutely delicious! I would like to know if it can be made ahead or is it better served fresh?
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1. I would serve it fresh. If you make it in advance the lettuce will get soggy.
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My moms last bbq of summer. I’m going to make this for the first time. Cant waite to taste it.
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What kind od BBQ sauce?
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1. You can use any kind you like! We like the Sweet Baby Ray’s original barbecue sauce. 🙂
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I tried your BLT salad this past weekend and it was a success I’m so glad I tried it. The only change I made was I added more bacon and I made my own dressing USING hidden Valley Ranch mix and everyone loved it.
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Is the BaBarbecue sauce a strong favor. Could it be left out?
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1. You can definitely leave it out, but I don’t think the flavor is that strong at all. 🙂
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I just made this! I read the comments and used the 1/4 cup of mayonnaise and 1/2 teaspoon of white VInegar, I also ADded 1 tablespoon of peppercorn ranch than The BBQ sauce. I also was without a fresh tomato so I opened a Can of Diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed them. Oh My goodness I had to try a forkful and it is absolutely delicious! Mine Is chilling in the fridge as my meat is still waiting on getting grilled! Holly, I love so many of your awesome recipes! Another keeper! Thank you!
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It is sooo good.
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tried this last night. Very good! used halved cherry heirloom tomatoes
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Have made this a few times and it is scrumPtious!!
I passed alobg to a friend that Loved and asked for the recipe
Thank you!
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I have made this NUMEROUS times and
It is a fan fav!!!!!
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This is easy and very tasty. My husband said “very good salad tonight dear Make that again” Thank you
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This was so good on a hot summer evening!
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This is delicious. I used an entire pound of bacon and pasta. Doubled the sauces (ranch and bbq sauce). Was a big hit. Will defintely be making this again.
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I have made this many times and it is delicious just as written. Tasty hit! Thank you, Holly!
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