This creamy BLT pasta salad with an easy, homemade dressing is a healthier take on the classic and perfect for summer picnics, cookouts and parties!

This recipe post has been updated with new photos.
What says summer more than pasta salad?
It’s endlessly versatile, entirely portable and always a crowd pleaser!
And this creamy BLT pasta salad? Oh yeah, everyone’s gonna be coming back for another scoop. Or two or three.
We’ve got tender pasta, crisp rich bacon, sweet fresh cherry tomatoes, crunchy romaine and cheddar cheese, plus the creamy, dreamy dressing that coats it all.
Plus, it's lightened up and a tad healthier, but still cool, creamy and oh so delicious.
You’re going to be throwing more parties just to make this again and again!
And you should.
It's the perfect addition to backyard cookouts, picnics, boat or lake days and all the summer holidays from Memorial Day to July 4th to Labor Day.
OK, let's get cooking.
Recipe Notes:
Bacon: Since this calls for 8 slices of bacon (and since we don’t need to use the bacon grease), I prefer to cook my bacon in the oven. I included instructions in the recipe card as well. You can also cook the bacon in the microwave if you prefer.
Pasta: We love using whole wheat for some added nutrition - and texture. Regular pasta is fine, too. You can use gluten-free pasta for this salad if you are making it for a party and have some gluten-free folks.
Avocado: You can also add diced avocado to this salad to make a BLAT pasta salad.
Dressing: My homemade creamy dressing is basically a mock buttermilk dressing that’s been lightened up. You could substitute a store-bought buttermilk dressing or even Ranch dressing in this if you don’t want to make your own.
I hope you give this a try and treat your friends to this healthier BLT pasta salad at your next get together. It’s sure to be a hit!
And speaking of pasta salad, if you need some more ideas and inspiration, check out my summer veggie pasta salad and classic spaghetti salad. Pasta salad all summer long!
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
Creamy BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the pasta salad:
- 12 oz. whole wheat rotini or farfalle pasta
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, roughly chopped (see notes)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
For the dressing:
- 1 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- ⅔ cup skim milk
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce (optional - see notes)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, prep the remaining ingredients: cook the bacon, slice the tomatoes, chop the spinach and shred the cheese. (See notes.)
- For the dressing, combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix well with a fork, until smooth and very well combined. It will be liquidy.
- Once pasta is cooked, drain it and rinse it with cold water for a minute to cool the pasta. Drain well.
- Add the pasta to your serving bowl and add tomatoes, spinach and cheese. Stir well to combine.
- If ready to serve, pour the dressing over the pasta salad and stir very well to get everything well coated. Top with bacon and serve.
- If making ahead, store the pasta salad, dressing and bacon separately and mix together when ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Here's a couple of the earlier photos of this recipe from the original August 2018 publish date.
Mimi
I don't think I have ever seen a pasta salad that included lettuce! But why not?!! I love the ingredients and the dressing! thanks.
Kathryn
It's SUCH a good combo - I hope you try it Mimi!
Carolyn
My dressing is very liquidy from the 2/3c milk, is that right? I'm scared to pour it over!
Kathryn Doherty
Yes, that's right and it is liquidy. It's like a lightened up buttermilk and more of a pourable one than a thick one. Hope you enjoy it!