Pioneer Woman BLT Pasta Salad

This easy Pioneer Woman BLT Pasta Salad is a creamy, satisfying dish that’s perfect for a quick side at any gathering. Packed with crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a tangy ranch dressing, it’s a simple, flavorful meal you can easily customize with common ingredients.

Ingredients Needed

• 1 (12 oz) package bacon
• 1 (16 oz) box fusilli or curly pasta
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups thinly sliced romaine lettuce
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as dill and/or parsley)

How To Make BLT Pasta Salad

1. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, turning occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain excess fat, then let the bacon cool to room temperature and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water, and let it cool.
3. Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, ranch seasoning mix, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper until smooth.
4. Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled pasta, halved tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, and fresh herbs to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together to coat evenly.
5. Serve: Top the salad with the crumbled bacon and serve chilled.

Recipe Tips

• Crisp the Bacon Properly: Ensure the bacon is cooked until crispy. This will add a nice crunch to the salad and prevent it from becoming soggy in the dressing.
• Cool the Pasta Before Mixing: After cooking, rinse the pasta with cold water and let it cool. This keeps it from absorbing too much dressing and getting mushy.
• Use Fresh Vegetables: Fresh tomatoes and lettuce will give the salad a crisp, vibrant texture. Avoid using old or wilted veggies for the best taste.
• Add Herbs for Extra Flavor: Fresh herbs like parsley or dill will elevate the flavor of the salad. If you can, use fresh herbs rather than dried for a more vibrant taste.
• Chill Before Serving: Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and makes the salad even more delicious.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Let the leftover BLT Pasta Salad cool to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop, but be sure to eat it within this time for the best taste.
• Reheating: To reheat leftover BLT Pasta Salad, simply place it in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds, stirring halfway through, or heat it in a covered skillet over low heat for a few minutes.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 310
• Total Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 35mg
• Sodium: 650mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 27g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 5g
• Protein: 7g

More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Greek Pasta Salad
• Pioneer Woman Corn Salad
• Pioneer Woman Egg Salad
• Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad
• Pioneer Woman Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Pioneer Woman BLT Pasta Salad

Author: Mohamed Shili Cooking Method:Baking Cuisine:American Courses:Salads Recipe Keys: P Pioneer Woman BLT Pasta Salad

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time: 10 minutesRest time: minutesTotal time: 25 minutesServings:6 servingsCalories:310 kcal Best Season:Suitable throughout the year

Description

This easy Pioneer Woman BLT Pasta Salad is a creamy, satisfying dish that’s perfect for a quick side at any gathering. Packed with crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a tangy ranch dressing, it’s a simple, flavorful meal you can easily customize with common ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 (12 oz) package bacon
  
• 1 (16 oz) box fusilli or curly pasta
  
• 1 cup mayonnaise
  
• 3/4 cup whole milk
  
• 1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
  
• Juice of 1 lemon
  
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
  
• 2 cups thinly sliced romaine lettuce
  
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as dill and/or parsley)

Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, turning occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain excess fat, then let the bacon cool to room temperature and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
   
2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water, and let it cool.
   
3. Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, ranch seasoning mix, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper until smooth.
   
4. Assemble the Salad: Add the cooled pasta, halved tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, and fresh herbs to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold everything together to coat evenly.
   
5. Serve: Top the salad with the crumbled bacon and serve chilled.

Notes

• Crisp the Bacon Properly: Ensure the bacon is cooked until crispy. This will add a nice crunch to the salad and prevent it from becoming soggy in the dressing.
• Cool the Pasta Before Mixing: After cooking, rinse the pasta with cold water and let it cool. This keeps it from absorbing too much dressing and getting mushy.
• Use Fresh Vegetables: Fresh tomatoes and lettuce will give the salad a crisp, vibrant texture. Avoid using old or wilted veggies for the best taste.
• Add Herbs for Extra Flavor: Fresh herbs like parsley or dill will elevate the flavor of the salad. If you can, use fresh herbs rather than dried for a more vibrant taste.
• Chill Before Serving: Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and makes the salad even more delicious.

Keywords:Pioneer Woman BLT Pasta Salad