You’ll love this delicious BLT Pasta salad that takes inspiration from one of our favourite sandwiches, the bacon lettuce & tomato.
This substantial salad is perfect for lunch in a hurry and is perfect for when you don’t want to eat bread. Adaptable and perfect for packed lunches and picnics. 
Table of Contents
Why Make a BLT Pasta Salad?
For a quick, easy and filling meal I frequently rustle up a pasta salad. Cook some pasta, which only takes a few minutes, chuck everything into a bowl with the rest of the ingredients, stir it around to make sure everything is properly dressed, and you’re good to go.
Pasta salads are also great for meals on the go, make the morning or night before, throw into a suitable plastic box for picnics or lunch at work and grab as you leave the house.
How to make a BLT Pasta Salad?
First cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet. Use whatever shape you want, but I would avoid noodles, spaghetti or anything similarly long and thin.
Here, I’ve used farfalle.
How to stop pasta sticking in a pasta salad
– simply drain, give a good shake and then return to the pan and drizzle with olive oil. Shake again to coat. If it does clump it will easily separate.
Second, make the dressing. Chop the basil and mix with natural yogurt, and grain mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
Third, add all the ingredients together: pasta, bacon, chopped cherry & sun dried tomatoes, a few chopped basil leaves, and the dressing.
Fourth, mix it all together!
Finally, Serve your BLT pasta salad on a bed of green salad, for the L in the BLT. Enjoy immediately!
Adaptions for a Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Pasta Salad
Mix it up with different pasta shapes, use ham in place of the bacon, add a chopped hard boiled egg, or an avocado. Simply swap in gluten free pasta to make this gluten free.
How Long does BLT Pasta Salad Keep?
Keep your bacon lettuce and tomato pasta salad for 2 days in a sealed pot in the fridge, which means this dish is ideal for preparing ahead of time. Just add the salad leaves before serving.
If you are taking it to work and don’t have access to a fridge add in a handful of frozen peas, corn or chickpeas to keep it cool. By lunchtime they will be defrosted.
When taking this BLT pasta salad to a party or on a picnic put the dressed pasta in the container first, then top with the salad leaves so they stay fresh and don’t get squashed. When ready to serve flip the whole thing out into a bowl so the leaves are under the pasta!
Loved this pasta? Then you will want to try my Salmon Pasta!
BLT pasta salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 100 g pasta shapes
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 packet ready cooked crispy bacon
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbs sun dried tomato ((chopped))
Dressing
- 2 tbs natural yogurt
- 1 heaped tsp grain mustard
- 1 tbs chopped basil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to packet instructions
- Drain, rinse then dress with the oil to stop it sticking, and allow to cool.
- Mix all the ingredients for the dressing together.
- Add salad ingredients to dressing, and stir together.
- Serve on a bed of salad.
Notes
- This recipe is 12 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portion.
- Make it gluten free with gluten free pasta.
Caroline Jessop
I really enjoy a pasta salad, and much prefer it to sandwiches, so this is a great alternative to the classic BLT.
Helen
Sometimes you just don’t want bread.
Bryan B
Nice that you have used yogurt as a dressing rather than the usual mayo, I imagine it takes great.
Helen
The yogurt does give a lovely flavour.
Tasha
I often make a pasta salad to take to work in a box. This is a tasty idea for a yummy lunch.
Helen
Ideal for a packed lunch.
Isla T
Such a simple idea and yet it looks utterly delicious. Lovely flavours that go well together.
Helen
BLT is such a classic mix that works so well.
Lynne
Yum! A BLT pasta salad looks great. So easy to make.
Helen
Really easy, and really tasty.
Pam Greer
I love the BLT flavors in this easy pasta salad! Perfect for lunch this weekend!
Helen
BLT is such a good combination.
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
This looks delicious and easy to make! I love a good pasta salad- and this definitely is.
Helen
Pasta salads are so good, and so easy to make.
Matt @ Plating Pixels
Looks like a great summer side. I love anything with bacon!
Helen
Such a tasty addition.
Colleen
BLT plus pasta sounds perfect! This would be great for back to school lunches or late summer picnics. Can’t wait to make it,
Helen
Ideal for packed lunches.
sonia
Such a brighy and delightful salad! its a great idea for gettogethers, picnics and potlucks.. will surely give it a try!
Helen
Such a versatile dish.
Leigh G
We’re a huge fan of pasta salads in our house. So easy to make and tasty and filling. This sounds so good.
Helen
So easy to make and versatile.
Courtney
This would be lovely for a tasty picnic meal. I just wish we had more summer to come, I’m really going to miss it.
Helen
We hopefully have a bit more of summer left, fingers crossed.
Rosie P
Love the idea of having a BLT in a salad, nice alternative to a sandwich.
Helen
Making it in to a salad is more of a meal.
Kaitlin
This is great for lunches or dinners. Very tasty and easy to make.
Helen
Very versatile and so easy to make.
Alice
BLT is a real favourite in our house so this salad would be a big hit. I could even make it with veggie bacon for my veggie daughter.
Helen
BLT is such a tasty combination.
Tammy
nice idea for a tasty pasta salad. the dressing sounds delicious.
Helen
It’s a lovely dressing to compliment the salad.
Marisa Franca
This type of salad is not just for summer. The BLT pasta salad would be ideal any time of year you’d enjoy a light lunch or a great tasting side. Also it’s a great salad to take to a gathering or picnic. I know it would be super popular with our family.
Helen
Perfect for picnic food.
Gloria
You can never go wrong with a pasta salad. Always a crowd pleaser. Perfect for lunch or dinner. Great as a side dish at any party.
Helen
Pasta salad is always popular.
Jolina
This is a nice variation on the BLT. And seriously, we love bacon on anything and everything! Also like how we can prep this ahead.
Helen
Bacon is such a tasty addition to many a dish.
Denise
I love this idea! I like that you had two types of tomatoes and the dressing sounds very healthy yet tasty! I might have to make this today for my lunch. :)
Helen
We do like yogurt dressing, tasty and lower fat.
Veena Azmanov
This is so cool. I love BLT sandwiches and this is just taking it one step further. Love the creamy yogurt dressing too. Saving this for later. Thanks