The Sandwich I Turned Into My Favorite Summer Bowl

I had a craving for a BLT one hot afternoon but absolutely no interest in turning on the oven to toast bread, so I threw every element of that classic combination over cold rotini with a creamy tangy dressing and immediately wondered why it took me this long to make the switch. If you have been looking for easy cold pasta salad recipes that feel familiar, satisfying, and completely perfect for warm weather eating, this BLT summer version is the one that will earn a permanent spot on every table you bring it to.

Smoky, Creamy, and Built for Summer

This is one of the best salads ever for backyard gatherings because crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lettuce tossed with cold rotini and a creamy dressing create a pasta salad recipes combination that is impossible to resist. It doubles as one of the most satisfying easy lunch ideas you can prep ahead and pack all week. Bold, cold, and completely addictive.

What You Will Need

• 400g rotini or fusilli pasta
• 250g bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
• 120ml mayonnaise
• 60ml sour cream
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped

BLT Summer Pasta Salad

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• Author: danyrecipes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Description

BLT summer pasta salad combines crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, sweet corn, and tender pasta in a light creamy dressing for the perfect summer cookout side.

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Ingredients

12 oz rotini or shell pasta

8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup fresh corn kernels (1 ear)

1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup buttermilk or sour cream

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.

2. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until fully cooled.

3. Cook the corn kernels in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain and cool.

4. Whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, apple cider vinegar, dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

5. Add cooled pasta, tomatoes, corn, red onion, and most of the bacon to a large bowl.

6. Pour dressing over and toss to coat. Add lettuce just before serving and top with remaining bacon.

Notes

Add lettuce right before serving to keep it crisp.

Use fresh summer corn if available.

Store without lettuce for up to 2 days in refrigerator.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Method: Boiled
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 650mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 13g
• Cholesterol: 38mg

Cold, Crispy, and Ready in 25 Minutes

1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a full rolling boil.
2. Cook the rotini according to package instructions until perfectly al dente.
3. Drain and rinse immediately under cold running water until completely cooled.
4. Shake off all excess water and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
5. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until deeply crispy then drain on paper towels and crumble into generous pieces.
6. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until completely smooth.
7. Pour the dressing over the cooled pasta and toss thoroughly to coat every strand evenly.
8. Add the cherry tomatoes and chives and toss again gently.
9. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and vinegar to your exact preference.
10. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
11. Right before serving add the crumbled bacon and chopped romaine and fold gently to keep both crisp.
12. Plate immediately and finish with extra chives and a generous crack of black pepper on top.

Summer Twists Worth Trying

• Add diced avocado right before serving for a creamy buttery element that plays beautifully against the smoky bacon
• Swap romaine for baby arugula for a peppery, more grown-up green element that still wilts beautifully under the warm bacon
• Add halved hard-boiled eggs to make this one of the most complete and protein-rich easy lunch ideas in your collection
• Stir a teaspoon of hot sauce into the dressing for a gentle summer heat running through every single bite
• Use turkey bacon for a lighter version that still delivers all the smoky, savory satisfaction of the original
• Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese or shaved Parmesan over the top right before serving for a bold extra layer of flavor

Pro Tips for the Crispiest BLT Pasta Salad

• Always add the bacon and romaine right before serving rather than mixing them in early because both lose their texture quickly once they hit the creamy dressing and resting time turns bacon soggy and lettuce limp
• Cook the bacon until deeply and almost aggressively crispy since it needs to hold up against the moisture of the tomatoes and dressing for as long as possible before softening
• Use cherry tomatoes rather than large diced tomatoes because they release significantly less juice into the dressing and hold their shape and freshness far better throughout the cold pasta salad
• Taste the dressing before adding it to the pasta and get the vinegar and mustard balance right first since correcting seasoning after everything is tossed is much harder
• Keep the dressing slightly looser than you think it needs to be since the pasta absorbs moisture during refrigeration and a thin dressing at first becomes perfectly coating by serving time
• Dress the pasta while still slightly warm so the creamy dressing soaks into every spiral far more evenly and deeply than it would over completely cold pasta

Your Quick Questions Answered

When do I add the bacon and lettuce?
Always right before serving to keep the bacon crispy and the romaine fresh and crunchy. Adding them too early completely undermines the entire appeal of this cold pasta salad.

How long does the pasta base keep?
The dressed pasta base stores well for up to three days. Keep the bacon and lettuce separate and add them fresh each time you serve for the best possible texture.

Can I lighten up the dressing?
Yes, swap the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt and reduce the sour cream by half for a noticeably lighter but still creamy and tangy result that works beautifully with all the other ingredients.

Is this a good easy lunch idea for work?
Excellent, as long as you pack the bacon and romaine separately in a small container and add them right before eating. The pasta base travels and stores perfectly with zero reheating required.

Can I make this without mayonnaise?
A creamy avocado-based dressing or a light olive oil and lemon vinaigrette both work well as alternatives while keeping all the BLT magic fully intact.

The Summer Bowl That Never Needs an Explanation

BLT Summer Pasta Salad takes everything beloved about a classic sandwich and transforms it into one of the freshest and most crowd-pleasing easy cold pasta salad recipes of the season. Make it for your next gathering or keep it as your most satisfying weekly easy lunch idea and enjoy every smoky, creamy, crispy bite all summer long.

Farfalle Summer Salad with Asparagus, Peppers & Feta

Summer Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies & Tomato Vinaigrette

Lemon Garlic Anchovy Fusilli Salad