Description
A quick and easy pasta salad combining crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and creamy ranch dressing for a fresh, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 3/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8 to 10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside to drain fully.
- While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain excess grease, then roughly chop once cooled.
- Chop cherry tomatoes in half, dice red onion finely, and chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Chop fresh herbs if using.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped bacon, tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese if using. Toss gently to combine.
- Pour 3/4 cup ranch dressing over the salad. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients. Taste and season with salt and pepper sparingly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Toss gently before serving and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Cook pasta al dente and rinse with cold water to prevent mushiness. Keep bacon crispy by draining well and adding just before chilling. Chill salad at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Use fresh, firm tomatoes to avoid sogginess. Season lightly due to saltiness from bacon and ranch. Optional ingredients like cheddar cheese and fresh herbs add extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 3.5
- Protein: 14
Keywords: BLT pasta salad, ranch pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, easy pasta salad, summer salad, quick salad recipe