
This BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Is:
- Creamy
- Bright
- Fresh
- Tangy
- Satisfying
- A Crowd-Pleaser Summer Side Dish
- Easily Made Gluten Free, Vegetarian, or Vegan with a few simple swaps
30 Minute Pasta Salad Recipes for Entertaining
This Ranch BLT Pasta Salad is what I call an Easy Entertaining Recipe – which is on your table in about 30 minutes. These quick and simple recipes are perfect for those last-minute potluck invites, or when you just want a healthy homecooked meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. I have a whole section of The Herbeevore dedicated to Easy Weeknight Meals, that are great for the whole family. From soups and stews, to pastas and proteins – a healthy meal can be on your table in no time. Just as fast as grabbing a quick prepared side dish from the store (and way more impressive too)! If you’re heading to a party, potluck, or BBQ, check out my list of top host gifts for summer entertaining for that next-level gift your host will love!
What’s In This Ranch BLT Pasta Salad?
- Rotini Pasta: I used this rotini for a fun twist, but you can use any pasta of your choice. And if you’re gluten free or cooking for someone who may be, this great GF rotini can be found here.
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Fresh Spinach
- Crumbled Bacon or Bacon Bits: An essential element of the BLT, bacon adds a great salty flavor to this pasta salad and a nice crunch. You can use cooked bacon that you’ve crumbled, or these great bacon bits which are vegan and vegetarian, so anyone who is eating plant based can enjoy this pasta salad too.
- Ranch Dressing – I love this gluten free and vegan ranch dressing, which gives this salad an amazing flavor and creaminess! I prefer to use a dairy free ranch dressing if my pasta salads will be sitting outside or on the counter for a while… you don’t want to leave dairy at room temperature for long.
- Plant Based Mayonnaise: like ranch dressing, I prefer to use a plant-based mayo for the dressing, especially if the pasta salad will be sitting outside for a while. This plant based mayo has such a great flavor, it’s hard to tell it from real mayonnaise! I honestly can’t tell the difference. The mayo gives this dish a little extra creaminess and classic flavor in the dressing. Or you can make my 5-minute plant-based mayo recipe here!
- Apple Cider Vinegar, which gives this dressing a little extra tang which is really fantastic! I love using this organic apple cider vinegar with the mother which has a great flavor. I think it gives a nice extra sweetness and depth.
- Italian Seasoning Blend: usually has thyme, basil, rosemary, parsley, etc. I love this bright and flavorful Italian season mix which brings this amazing dish to life.
- Tellicherry Peppercorns: Like the salt, it’s amazing the flavor difference you can get with really good tellicherry black pepper. Amazon has a generic brand tellicherry peppercorn which is the same price is buying pre-ground, and has a million times more flavor… so I use these really great tellicherry peppercorns, which I would definitely recommend.
A Great Make-Ahead BLT Pasta Salad for Entertaining
This fresh BLT pasta salad recipe is fantastic to make ahead of time for a party, potluck, or gathering. Making this recipe in advance allows you to skip any cooking or prep on the day-of. This is a great recipe to entertain with, or bring to an event… and the dressing tastes even better after being refrigerated overnight. A true crowd-pleaser that everyone is sure to love!
How Do I Make This Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe?
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain in a colander and rinse pasta under cold water to cool noodles.
- Add pasta to a large bowl. Toss in tomatoes, spinach, and bacon crumbles.
- In a separate bowl add the ranch dressing, mayo, apple cider vinegar, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Whisk well to combine, then pour dressing over the pasta salad. Toss until noodles are well coated in dressing and chill before serving.
Dietary Modifications for this Ranch BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
- To make this recipe gluten free, make sure you are using a gluten free pasta. They have some delicious gluten free rotini out there, which is a great option if you are entertaining a lot of people. That way if anyone has a gluten intolerance, they can enjoy too. And with any prepared dressing, make sure the ranch is certified gluten free as well.
- To make this recipe vegan or vegetarian, use plant-based bacon bits like these, and a dairy and egg free mayo and ranch dressing.
Other Crowd Favorite Summer Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Love!
Get the Same Ingredients I Use For My Summer BLT Pasta Salad Recipe:
As always, if you make this popular party creamy BLT pasta salad recipe be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag me @theherbeevore on Instagram so I can feature you. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
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BLT Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta use gluten free for GF version
- 1 cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
- 3 cups fresh spinach chopped
- 1 cup cooked bacon crumbled, or bacon 1/2 cup vegan bacon bits
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing plant based for vegan or vegetarian version
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise plant based for vegan or vegetarian version
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground Tellicherry Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain in a colander and rinse pasta under cold water to cool noodles.
- Add pasta to a large bowl. Toss in tomatoes, spinach, and bacon crumbles.
- In a separate bowl add the ranch dressing, mayo, apple cider vinegar, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Whisk well to combine, then pour dressing over the pasta salad. Toss until noodles are well coated in dressing and chill before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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