Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad
Love BLTs? You’ll love this Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad with the flavors of the classic BLT. It’s a perfect salad for summertime entertaining or as an easy weeknight dish. It takes no time at all to make this delicious salad!
Not long ago we visited a large farmer’s market in Cordele, Georgia, and came home with the most delicious juicy tomatoes, many other vegetables, and other goodies. My husband said those tomatoes would be great with some bacon and lettuce. Right there I fell in love with him all over again. I mean he read my mind!
This past week, I craved those same flavors from the classic BLT sandwich but I also wanted pasta salad. What’s a girl to do? I could either ignore the craving, give in to one of those options, or just find the bag of chocolate hidden in the freezer (that was another craving I was having). Considering those options, I went with making this tasty Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad. The perfect blend of both cravings.
Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad
The best thing about pasta salads is that you can use what you like, which makes it easy to use vegetables or foods that are in the refrigerator. This bacon tomato salad is sort of like that to a point. By that I mean, you have to have crispy bacon, tomatoes, and pasta. I added cheese because we love cheese on everything. The peas I had just enough in a bag in the freezer so I wanted to use them up. Plus, they gave the salad a bit of color pop!
This recipe is super simple. Cook the pasta, mix the dressing ingredients, chop the vegetables, and cook the bacon. Combine in a bowl and chill. Easy. You can add chicken to this BLT salad and you’ll have a main dish meal!
The hard part is waiting for dinner to eat it! This salad is a perfect side to bring to any of your summer cookouts, picnics, and so many more events. Consider making this Sub Salad to take to cookouts with this one or make it to have lunch or dinner.
Do I Need to use Rotini Pasta?
No, you don’t need to use rotini pasta. Any short pasta like penne, farfalle, or bow tie pasta works well. I’ve even used elbow noodles in this recipe. Gluten-free pasta is great to use, too. I do find that the rotini pasta with its corkscrew shape holds all of that creamy ranch dressing better. Whatever pasta you choose to use, be sure to drain it well after cooking according to package directions, and chill it before adding the dressing and the other ingredients. Hot pasta isn’t good for a mayo-based dressing.
What Type of Bacon is Best?
Any type of thick-cut bacon works great in this recipe. I’ve used both pork bacon and turkey bacon. Also, here’s a great tip if you don’t have bacon in the house. I like to keep a bag of real bacon pieces in the pantry. You can find it in the salad dressing aisle in the grocery stores. It saves cooking time and all of that grease. The precooked chopped pieces work wonderfully in this salad. I would steer clear of imitation bacon bits. That’s just my personal opinion.
Do you have to use Grape Tomatoes?
No, you do not have to use grape tomatoes. I like them because they’re small and I just have to half of them to use. You can use cherry or even chop an on-the-vine tomato to use. Whatever you have!
I don’t like Peas, what can I replace them with?
I hear you loud and clear! I’m not a true fan of them either, but the little green balls tasted delicious in this salad. However, you can use fresh lettuce, spinach, or even arugula.
How Long Does Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad Last?
Pasta salads in an airtight container will last about a week in the refrigerator. If the salad is mayonnaise-based, you may need to add a bit more to make it creamy again.
Ingredients and Equipment
- 12 ounces rotini pasta cooked and chilled
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 package dry ranch dip mix
- 6 slices of bacon cooked and coarsely chopped
- 1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, diced (or whatever cheese you like)
How to Make This Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad
Step 1
First, make the creamy dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, and dry ranch packet ingredients.
Step 2
Add all of the remaining ingredients to the dressing mixture in the large bowl. Toss gently to combine.
Step 3
Cover bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. You can make this salad ahead of time. I often make it the night before or in the morning.
Tips, Tricks, and FAQs
- Any short pasta shape will work in this recipe if you don’t have rotini.
- You can use gluten-free pasta.
- Chilling the cooked pasta will ensure the dressing isn’t runny plus warm pasta will absorb a lot of your dressing. You want a creamy salad.
- Substitute mayonnaise with avocado mayonnaise
- Not a pea fan? Use fresh spinach or arugula.
- Use a package of pre-cooked real bacon pieces in place of the cooked bacon slices.
- Don’t care for sharp cheddar? Use white cheddar or Colby jack cheese; whatever your favorite cheese is.
- Add diced red onion, green onions, or celery.
- You do not have to use grape tomatoes. Chop an on-the-vine tomato instead. Whatever you have!
Printable Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad Recipe
Creamy Bacon Tomato Pasta Salad
Equipment
- 1 wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta, cooked, and chilled
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 packet dry ranch dip mix
- 6 slices bacon cooked and chopped coarsely
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed and drained
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, diced
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, milk and dry ranch packet ingredients.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients to the dressing mixture in the large bowl. Toss gently to combine.
- Cover bowl and chill in refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. You can make this salad ahead of time. I often make it the night before or in the morning.
Notes
- Any short pasta will work in this recipe, if you don’t have rotini.
- You can use a gluten-free pasta.
- Chilling the cooked pasta will ensure the dressing isn’t runny plus warm pasta will absorb a lot of your dressing. You want a creamy salad.
- Substitute mayonnaise with avocado mayonnaise
- Not a pea fan? Use fresh spinach or arugula.
- Use a package of pre-cooked real bacon pieces in place of the cooked bacon slices.
- Don’t care for sharp cheddar? Use white or mild cheddar; whatever your favorite cheese is.
- Add diced onions or celery.
- No, you do not have to use grape tomatoes. I like them because they’re small and I just have to half them to use. You can use cherry or even chop a on the vine tomato to use. Whatever you have!
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
If the summer flavors in this salad didn’t check all the boxes for your cravings, add chocolate for dessert! You can’t go wrong with a little sweetness with your meals!
Other Salads to Enjoy
More Summer Salads
- Chicken Caesar Salad from That Recipe
- Greek Panzanella from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Greek Salad with Grape Tomatoes and Feta from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Italian Sub Salad from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad from Art of Natural Living
- Skillet Radish Bacon Salad from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Southwestern Oven-Fried Chicken Salad with Avocado Dressing from The Spiffy Cookie
- Strawberry Spinach Salad from Magical Ingredients
- The Best Potato Salad from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
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Enjoy!
Great way to serve a pasta salad. I love the add ins. Also bacon makes everything better!
Great take on a BLT! I’m envious of those fresh local tomatoes. I think you can still eat the chocolate for dessert!
This looks like one of my favorite summer salads. I’m going to have to make it for myself!
I love those bacon bits too! I buy the big bag and pop it in the freezer! I need to make this for my husband who’s starving since I’m dieting 🙂
Omg! This is amazing! Now I am craving for this creamy pasta salad! I guess I will make this instead of going for chocolate.
The cheese and bacon look delicious! This is great to bring for a cookout!