BLT Pasta Salad

American Pride BLT Pasta Salad

It is true. I love bacon. My family loves bacon. We are bacon obsessed. Applewood, Hickory Smoked, Maple, Honey Glazed, Thick, Thin, Skillet cooked, Microwaved – any which way.

We eat bacon virtually every morning and find ways to slip it into all kinds of recipes during the week. Why, you ask? You know the answer! – bacon makes everything taste better! Its salty-rich-crunchy-chewy meaty taste adds flavor and dimension to any mouthful. I’m really not a huge meat eater in general but love what bacon can do to a dish. Acknowledging the health issues surrounding “too much bacon”, I’ve think found a way to rationalize my intake: Pre-cooked, thinly sliced, frozen bacon. It’s my go-to.  It seems leaner and less bad for you…:) Can you say Costco or Sam’s Club? The only places to indulge the bacon habit! (Hey, even Weight Watchers says OK in moderation)

American BLT Pasta Salad

So it is no surprise that our best-loved family recipe has always been a customer favorite as well. A real crowd-pleaser. Every Single Time. In fact, I think the recipe is printed on most of our pasta labels. We can’t help it.

Please make this and enjoy. Your family will thank you. You’ll be the star of the potluck and tailgate party. Just a few notes:

BLT…Why the L? Looks more like a GP? OK, OK…you are right. There is no lettuce in the recipe! BUT, you can serve it on a bed of lettuce. The GP (green pepper) takes its place and adds just the right crunch and taste….so there you go. But, when you say BLT, everyone’s mouth just says “YUM”!

Can I make this ahead? Yes! You can cook the pasta a day ahead, rinse with cold water, toss with olive oil and store in fridge. Bacon can be cooked (microwaved) and broken up the day before. Peppers and tomatoes can be chopped and stored. Just do not toss all together with the mayo until the day of, an hour or so before serving.

Which shape pasta is best? Short Shapes like Penne or Rotini, or of course any of our Fun Shapes! We’ve shown here our American Pride Pasta (2 at the top), and Gymnastics Pasta at the bottom – and yes, they both have stars in them.

Enjoy this recipe and let me know what you think…I hope you love it as much as we do!

If you are interested in seeing all of our pasta shapes, you can visit The Pasta Shoppe website.  And if you have any fundraising needs, please check out Fun Pasta Fundraising!  We’d love to hear from you!

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BLT Pasta Salad

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5 from 26 reviews

BLT Pasta Salad – a family favorite!

  • Author: Carey
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 8 mins
  • Total Time: 23 mins
  • Yield: 6-8 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 14 oz. bag of pasta
  • 5 large tomatoes, medium chopped
  • 1 large green pepper, finely diced
  • 1 lb. bacon (+ some), crumbled (precooked works great)
  • 3/4 cup real or light mayonnaise
  • 1 t. salt (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in gently boiling water for approximately 6 minutes, until tender but firm. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. Combine pasta and above ingredients in a large bowl.
  3. Season to taste and enjoy!

Notes

Can I make this ahead?
Yes! You can cook the pasta a day ahead, rinse with cold water, toss lightly with olive oil and store in fridge. All veggies can be chopped and stored separately. Add bacon just before serving to maintain crispness!

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105 Comments

  1. Adelina V Priddis on July 13, 2018 at 9:53 am

    I used cherry tomatoes, and forgot the green pepper! BUT we sure loved this for our dinner.






    • carey on July 14, 2018 at 10:25 am

      Awesome!! So happy you liked it! Laughing about the green pepper! A lot of folks would be happy you forgot! 🙂

  2. Renee J. on May 20, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    Now that’s a pasta salad I would eat! The stars add a fun and special touch to this dish!

  3. Candace Galan-Calderon on May 20, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    Very yummy recipe and I love the American pride pasta shapes!

  4. Rachel DeMille on May 20, 2015 at 11:38 am

    That looks delicious! What a great summer dish!






  5. Barb on May 20, 2015 at 8:18 am

    looks so good cant wait to try it!!!

  6. Susan S on May 20, 2015 at 7:42 am

    Bacon everything is better with bacon. sounds D-Lish.

  7. Suzie P on September 8, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    This looks like a great dish to take to a family gathering this weekend.
    Everyone loves bacon!!!






    • carey on September 8, 2014 at 8:29 pm

      Thanks Suzie! I hope they like it!

  8. Kim on September 1, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    Bacon! Yum!!!
    Is this where we enter the blog contest?

    • carey on September 2, 2014 at 7:59 am

      Thanks for your comments and yes…you are entered!

  9. carey on August 31, 2014 at 4:12 pm

    Thanks Carol…:)

  10. Mya Murphy on August 29, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    Bacon anything rocks my world!!

    • carey on August 31, 2014 at 4:09 pm

      I’m with you there!

  11. Lynn Chamberlain on August 29, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    I am also a fellow bacon lover. I made this recipe with the lobster shaped pasta and it was delicious! I wish I had some right now!






    • carey on September 17, 2014 at 9:35 am

      So glad you like it!

  12. Lynn Chamberlain on August 29, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    I am a fellow bacon lover! I made this salad with the lobster shaped pasta and it was delicious! I wish I had some right now!!






    • carey on August 31, 2014 at 4:08 pm

      Love to hear that! Try the veggie patch one too…it’s another keeper!

  13. Stephanie Cornell on August 29, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    This will be making a debute at family dinner this weekend!






    • carey on August 31, 2014 at 4:07 pm

      Great – let me know how it goes!

  14. Stephanie on August 29, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    Major hit. Will be taking it to a family dinner this weekend!






    • carey on August 31, 2014 at 4:07 pm

      Have a great time and weekend!

  15. Candace Galan-Calderon on August 29, 2014 at 4:48 pm

    This looks so good! I have never thought of combining pasta and salad…..love it!






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 4:54 pm

      There are so many great combinations out there – just keep in touch for more!

  16. Debbie on August 29, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    that sounds SO good

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      It really is…try it!

  17. Carol ONeil on August 29, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    You said BLT Salad. I jumped all over this!! Yummy! Thank you sooooooo much!!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      Hope you like it!

  18. Tiffany Becker on August 29, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    Looks soooo Yummy!! Love me some bacon and pasta!! 🙂






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      Me too! Enjoy!

  19. Tamie T on August 29, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    I am making this recipe for our Labor Day picnic. The bacon is the topper for this yummy dish!






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      Sounds like a great idea! Have fun!

  20. joanna reed on August 29, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    wow, I would have never thought of this, Thank you I have a much wider understanding of how I can use my pasta now.






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 12:38 pm

      Lots more ideas coming!

  21. Diane miller on August 29, 2014 at 11:54 am

    Cant wait to try this recipe easy sounds so Yummy

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 12:38 pm

      Tasty…and I do hope you try it!

  22. Carmela Capano on August 29, 2014 at 11:51 am

    Thank you for the recipe! Looks so delicious!!! Great for this weekend Go Vols!!!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 12:37 pm

      YEA – Go Vols!! Thanks for the comment!

  23. Trisha B. on August 29, 2014 at 11:27 am

    Bacon, bacon and more bacon please! Love this recipe idea!






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 12:36 pm

      Thank you!

  24. Susan Sirois on August 29, 2014 at 11:08 am

    Bacon is flavorful tasty and what makes it even better the BLT salad has Pasta Shop Pasta. Kids love adults do to. Pasta Shop Pasta makes meals fun and exciting. Adding tasty bacon makes everthng Bacon Better! !!!






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 12:35 pm

      Thanks Susan!

  25. Christa L. on August 29, 2014 at 10:53 am

    This looks very delicious! I can’t wait to make it!






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 10:55 am

      You’ll love it!

  26. Sheryl Edwards on August 29, 2014 at 10:30 am

    BACON! Yay! Thank you for this recipe! I love BLT sandwiches! This looks so good! I love pasta salads!






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 10:36 am

      You are welcome! Me too on the sandwiches…

  27. Juanita Cross on August 29, 2014 at 10:28 am

    Oooh! I love this idea!! Finally something my two young boys may eat!! I am so bored of Mac and Cheese!!!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Let me know how they like it! I’ll be posting some new twists on mac n cheese, stay in touch!

  28. Jennifer Simmons on August 29, 2014 at 10:20 am

    This looks soooo good! Will have to make this for one of our football parties. Love the idea of the texture contrasts of crunchy lettuce and soft pasta with the creamy dressing. Yum!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 10:27 am

      Believe me….it is good! 🙂

  29. T. Reynolds on August 29, 2014 at 10:09 am

    The BLT Salad is a great idea! It looks delish! I am excited to try it and I am sure my family will love it! It is true…Bacon makes everything great!!!! We are bacon lovers here too! Thanks for sharing the blog with me and I look forward to trying some awesome dishes! Take care and have a wonderful day! God bless

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 10:27 am

      Same to you – keep in touch!

  30. nancy fiorenza on August 29, 2014 at 10:09 am

    wow that looks amazing I must try this






  31. nancy fiorenza on August 29, 2014 at 10:07 am

    oh wow gotta try that it looks delicious






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 10:26 am

      Thank you!

  32. Jackie Vigliucci on August 29, 2014 at 9:48 am

    MMM Bacon! Can’t wait to try this!! Looks delicious!!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 10:22 am

      I agree! Enjoy!

    • carey on September 3, 2014 at 3:59 pm

      Jackie, you were randomly chosen as one of our three lucky winners! Please email me your name and address and I’ll send off a Pasta Goodie Box to you! carey@worldofpastabilities.com

  33. Janice Dean on August 29, 2014 at 9:48 am

    This sounds great! Thanks






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 10:22 am

      Enjoy!

  34. cheryl c. on August 29, 2014 at 9:41 am

    I think I will make this for our football Saturdays this fall. I love your college pasta shapes.

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 10:32 am

      Thanks! And the Collegiate Pasta comes with a Game Day Vinaigrette mix. I’ll be posting that soon!

  35. rhonda hagy miller on August 29, 2014 at 9:34 am

    Come on now!! You just went over the top with this one!!
    BACON..did I see BACON!!
    Love me some bacon..it ALWAYS make things better
    Love it, going to try this one soon!!






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 10:34 am

      We are in sync my friend!

  36. teresa harvey on August 29, 2014 at 9:26 am

    Now on my todo list!






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:28 am

      Awesome!

  37. carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:23 am

    Let me know what you think!

  38. Lauryn on August 29, 2014 at 9:18 am

    i will be making this dish very soon!!!!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:23 am

      Good while the weather is hot!! 🙂

  39. Sarah on August 29, 2014 at 9:18 am

    This looks great. I will be trying this with grape tomatoes from the garden.

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:24 am

      Grape tomatoes will be a delish addition! Mine didn’t turn out this year! Little creatures ate them all up!

  40. Jennifer M on August 29, 2014 at 9:16 am

    This looks yummy! I may even be able to convince my husband to eat it because of the bacon.






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:20 am

      He’ll love it I promise…:)

  41. LisaB on August 29, 2014 at 9:09 am

    I make a BLT dip and this should be just as amazing!






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:16 am

      Someone else mentioned the dip – and I’m going to try it!

  42. Lesley on August 29, 2014 at 9:09 am

    This sounds so yummy! I love bacon, and tomatoes (in that order), and mixing them with pasta (which I love, too), just sounds so great! I am definitely going to make this.

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:15 am

      Great Lesley! I agree on that order too!

  43. Barbara Riffe on August 29, 2014 at 9:06 am

    I would love to try this one. Looks so good.






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:14 am

      Please do and let me know what you think about it!

  44. Ronda Garnett on August 29, 2014 at 9:03 am

    will be trying this recipe this weekend…Thanks 🙂

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:13 am

      Awesome – let me know what you think Ronda!

  45. Kimberly Snyder on August 29, 2014 at 9:02 am

    sounds great, I always love by carbonara with bacon, this sound great






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:13 am

      Hope you like it Kimberly!

  46. vicki howes on August 29, 2014 at 9:00 am

    Always looking for new pasta recipes – this looks fabulous!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:11 am

      Happy to hear that and I hope you’ll keep in touch!

  47. Angie on August 29, 2014 at 8:54 am

    ANYTHING with bacon is good! But the shaped pasta makes it that much better! I enjoy using them for ALL occasions!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:11 am

      Angie, I won’t argue with you about any of your comments! 🙂

  48. Cindy Tipton on August 29, 2014 at 8:52 am

    Soooo looking forward to all the great pasta recipes! Collegiate shapes make our Tennessee Vols Football game days so much fun! Keep em coming…GO VOLS!!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 8:59 am

      GO VOLS is right!!! Thanks for sharing and stay tuned for some Tailgate Recipes coming soon!

  49. Annette Wilcox on August 29, 2014 at 8:47 am

    My family loves all things bacon. We love BLT dip as an appetizer, but never thought of it as a pasta dish. Will definitely try this soon! Thank you!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 8:58 am

      And I love the idea of a BLT dip! Thank you!

  50. Pat Burgess on August 29, 2014 at 8:46 am

    This looks delicous! Something I will definately be making…thank you!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 8:57 am

      Great Pat – thanks!

  51. keirsten on August 29, 2014 at 8:42 am

    This looks delicious! Any chance you guys make gluten-free pastas?

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 9:28 am

      We actually do! Well, we import it from Italy, because you have to have a dedicated gluten free facility….but it is delicious and the best I’ve ever tasted (70% corn, 30% rice). We taste tested dozens of variations. You can check it out here: https://pastashoppe.com/product.php?id=149&&c=2

  52. Heidi Lavorato on August 29, 2014 at 8:34 am

    This. Looks. Awesome. I’m thinking it will be a. Great option this Labor Day weekend






    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 8:45 am

      Thanks Heidi! I hope you like it!

  53. Jodi Pace on August 29, 2014 at 8:11 am

    My little carnivore will love that bacon can be considered a food group! I am going to try out this recipe at our Labor Day picnic. I only have the flamigo shaped pasta left, I have used all my other delious pasta during the summer. I guess it is time to shop again!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 8:44 am

      Too funny! Don’t skimp on the bacon! You’ll love this recipe – and it is the perfect weekend to try it. You can always buy of course, but we have weekly contests to win free pasta so check out our Facebook pages!

  54. Angel on August 29, 2014 at 6:53 am

    Looks and sounds delish!

    • carey on August 29, 2014 at 7:05 am

      I hope you give it a try! and if you do – please let me know what you think!

  55. Kathy Bird on August 23, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    Made this last night..everyone loved it! BLT anything is always a hit here in the South…but the pasta addition really made it hearty and delicious. Thanks for the recipe, and please post more!






    • carey on August 27, 2014 at 3:38 pm

      Thanks Kathy! Please visit me again – I promise there is more to come!

  56. Steffi K on August 22, 2014 at 9:28 am

    You had me at “bacon”!!!! Thanks, can’t wait to try this. The pasta shapes are FUN!!!

    • carey on August 22, 2014 at 1:40 pm

      Thanks Stephanie! Let me know what you think after trying it!

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