this BLT Pasta Salad is your favorite pasta classic sandwich! It’s made with gluten-free pasta, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, and crispy bacon, all tossed in a creamy, rich dressing.
Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
This BLT Pasta Salad is your favorite sandwich turned gluten-free pasta! It’s filled with tender pasta, hard-boiled eggs, fresh vegetables, and crispy bacon.
It’s delicious, hearty, creamy, crunchy and the perfect light summer or side dish to a dinner or BBQ!
materials needed
pasta salad
- spaghetti: Use any small pasta shape you like.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Halves of cherry tomatoes are the perfect bite-sized addition to salads.
- lettuce: Coarsely chopped fresh romaine lettuce is the perfect “L” for our BLT Pasta Salad recipe.
- bacon: Cooked and crushed.
- Chives: Cut into thin slices.
- Eggs (optional): Boiled eggs are optional but delicious.
- Hot sauce (optional): Hot sauce is also optional, but perfect for those who like it hot and spicy.
Pasta Salad Dressing
- mayonnaise: The base of our creamy dressing. I like avocado oil mayonnaise, but any will do.
- Apple cider vinegar: Add a little broth to reduce the richness of the mayonnaise.
- lemon juice: Brighten up any look with one touch.
- seasoning: A combination of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried dill, sea salt, and black pepper give the dressing the perfect flavor profile.
How to Make Gluten-Free Pasta Salad
This easy pasta salad recipe is quick to prepare. Just a few simple steps and you’re ready to go!
- Hard boiled eggs and bacon: on the stove or in the instant pot can also cook bacon in the oven or in the air fryer.
- Prepare the pasta: Cook gluten-free pasta or another pasta of your choice according to directions, then drain, rinse, and set aside.
- Prepare to mix: Chop the lettuce, scallions, and tomatoes, quarter the eggs, and crumble the bacon.
- combine: Place cooked and cooled pasta, eggs and bacon, and vegetables in a large bowl.
- Add the dressing: In a blender, combine all of the dressing and pour it over the pasta salad. Taste and adjust as needed, then serve or store in the refrigerator.
what pasta to use
Really any pasta will work here! I like to use gluten-free rice flour (made only with brown rice) because it’s easier to digest. Two of my favorite brands are Jovial and Tinkyada.
However, any kind will do, so feel free to use any smaller pasta shapes or types you like.
Tips and Precautions
- Cook the pasta. Al dente means slightly undercooked. I prefer to leave a little bit so the noodles don’t get mushy.
- Rinse pasta. Be sure to rinse the pasta in cold water immediately after cooking. This stops the cooking process and removes excess starch so it doesn’t get mushy.
- Let cool completely. Make sure the pasta is completely cool before adding the fresh mixture. If it’s still hot, the texture of the other ingredients will suffer.
- Serve immediately. Once assembled, this pasta salad is best done in under 5 hours!
- lighten it. If you prefer a lighter option, feel free to swap the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt. It’s not my preference, but it will work.
- Add other mixes. Get creative! Pasta salads are super customizable. Add cheddar cubes, other vegetables like red peppers, broccoli florets, celery or red onions, mix in chopped avocado, or add another type of meat. chicken wire It will be delicious!
service suggestion
Serve this BLT Pasta Salad as a main course or as a side dish next to your favorite summer main dish.
try Air Fryer Chicken Breasts, Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Burgers, My Favorite 10 Minute Shrimp Stir Fry, My Family’s Favorite Roast Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Salmon,as you like!
Can Pasta Salad Be Made Ahead?
Yes! Well, sort of! I don’t recommend fully assembling the pasta salad ahead of time, but you can definitely prep the different ingredients ahead of time to store separately.
- spaghetti: Cook the pasta ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- vegetable: Chop lettuce, tomatoes, and scallions ahead of time and refrigerate for 2-3 days.
- Egg: Hard-boil eggs and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- bacon: Cook the bacon and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- dressing: Mix the dressing and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How long is pasta salad good in the fridge?
This BLT Pasta Salad is made with super fresh ingredients, so it’s best served right away or at least within 5 hours of assembling.
However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just keep in mind that the texture of the lettuce and tomato will suffer, and the bacon won’t be as crispy!
Can you freeze pasta salad?
I don’t recommend it. Pasta doesn’t keep well in the refrigerator, and the fresh ingredients in this recipe can get watery when thawed.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Love
Watch the video:
- Pasta Salad: 1 package gluten-free pasta 12 oz bag, cooked according to package directions
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 2 head of lettuce roughly chopped
- 1 Packaged nitrate-free bacon cook until crispy
- 1/4 cup Chives thinly sliced
- Optional: 4 hard-boiled eggs cut into quarters
- optional: a little hot sauce
- Dressing: 1 cup mayonnaise I love avocado oil mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon chili
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt more flavors
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper more flavors
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Put all salad ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
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In a high speed blender, combine all seasoning ingredients until smooth.
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Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss to coat.
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Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve!
Calories: 272kcalcarbohydrate: 21.7Gprotein: 8.7Gfat: 17.1GSaturated fat: 3.8Gcholesterol: 25mgsodium: 610mgfiber: 2.2Gsugar: 3.8G
