This easy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is loaded with bacon, spinach, and tomatoes giving it a delicious BLT flavor. This easy pasta salad recipe is a great side dish to share at summer picnics or barbecues.
Summer Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is my go to during the hot summer months. If we get invited to picnics or dinners it is safe to say I will be bringing some type of easy pasta salad recipe.
I also make a Caprese pasta salad or this Veggie Salad when I have no idea what else to make for dinner. It's safe to say veggies and pasta are always my go to.
It's ok though, because pasta goes with just about any meal, right? Burgers, pulled pork, chicken tenders...it all goes together.
BLT Pasta Salad
A few weeks ago we made this Southwest Pasta Salad, and we still had extra bottle of salad dressing in our refrigerator. We always keep an extra bottle of Ranch dressing because our kids love it on salads, veggies, and pizza crust.
One of my favorite summer salads is a BLT pasta salad. When I was growing up my parents used to buy the Suddenly Salad box mix that we would eat with hamburgers and hot dogs all summer long.
I decided to recreate that ranch pasta salad from scratch since we had most of the ingredients on hand. All I had to do was thaw out the package of bacon from the freezer before I could get started.
Did you know that I am not a huge bacon fan? Yes, I know you all probably just gasped out loud. Don't shoot me!
What I have found is that I do actually like bacon on things like BLT sandwiches. Well, as long as the bacon is crispy.
I also really like it in cheesy pasta dishes like this Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake. The key must be ranch and tomatoes because so far everything I like with bacon has those two ingredients.
How to make Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Cook and drain pasta according to the package directions. (full recipe at bottom of post)
- Cook bacon and place on paper towels to drain.
- Chop tomatoes, spinach, and avocados. Open and drain the green chilis.
- Add the pasta, veggies, crumbled bacon, and ranch dressing in a large bowl.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.
PRO TIP: This can be eaten right away, but if you have time to refrigerate it for an hour or more the flavors come together even more. The pasta may absorb the dressing, so you may need to add more right before serving.
Other summer salads
- Picnic Potato Salad
- Vegetarian Pasta Salad
- Chicken Salad with grapes and pecans
- Spinach Orange Salad
- Ways to Eat Tuna
- Summer Zucchini Salad
- Mexican Chicken Salad
- Zucchini Slaw
Recipe
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Green chiles and avocados give this easy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad a spicy twist that everyone will love. This pasta salad recipe is an easy side dish to share at summer picnics or barbecues.
Ingredients
- 8 ounce box shell pasta
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup crumbled cooked bacon
- 1 cup finely diced baby spinach leaves
- 1 - 4 ounce can diced green chiles
- ¼ cup ranch dressing + extra
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente according to the box directions. Drain and cool.
- In a large bowl, mix together the pasta, tomatoes, bacon, spinach, chiles, and ranch dressing.
- Gently stir in the avocado chunks. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. The pasta will absorb the dressing, so you may need to add a little extra right before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 155Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 209mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 5g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Ranch BLT Pasta Salad was first published July 22, 2015. The post and pictures were updated and republished August 1, 2020.
TriXie
I know this old but MAN did it age well! Had the neighbors over and threw this together in no time. I also had some shredded Parmesan and asiago that a threw in. Was YUMMY!!!!
Kim | a little lunch
Hi, Jocelyn! I saw your tasty looking BLT salad on Heather's (basilmomma) post about using up the last of this summer's tomato bounty. Now I'm wishing the tomato crop would last a little longer -- your salad sounds as good as it looks! Thanks for your recipe.
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg
I'm totally subbing in some turkey bacon and devouring all of this pasta salad. 😀
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
This is my kinda pasta salad!!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass
How delicious is this Jocelyn? BLT in a bowl. Let's just call it supper! Love manage and avocado together.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
This looks so creamy! love the kick of spice and you just cannot go wrong with a pasta salad 🙂
Ashley@blondegirlcravings
I am with you on your feelings for bacon. While I love the flavor it gives to things like salads and baked beans, you would never find me eating a slice at breakfast.
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze
Jocelyn how can you not be a bacon lover? Haha just kidding. I actually only way turkey bacon and now pork bacon just kinda of taste yuck to me. Silly ha. This pasta salad looks amazing and so easy. Love quick and easy meals! 🙂
ChiChi
I love a good pasta salad and yours Jocelyn with avocados looks really delicious.
Jennifer
This recipe looks amazing but I don't see the avocado in the ingredient list. How much should I use?
Jocelyn
Thanks for catching that mistake for me. You will use one whole one diced up. I updated the recipe too! I hope you enjoy it!