BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch - Recipe Diaries (2024)

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Weight Watcher's BLT Pasta Salad is the perfect side to bring to your next 4th of July gathering. No one will even know that it is WW friendly or diet-friendly.

BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch - Recipe Diaries (1)

Back when I worked at the hotel a couple of years ago as a part time job, they would make a BLT pasta salad kind of similar to this one. They added ranch seasoning and a little bit of Worcestershire sauce to spice it up a bit and it was everyone's favorite pasta salad. I tweaked my BLT pasta salad recipe to make it kind of similar to the one at the hotel because I loved the taste that Ranch added to it. A 1 oz Ranch seasoning packet is only 1 smart point so it doesn’t tack on very many points to this recipe.

If you like salad recipes check out Imitation Crab Salad (Deli Style), Dorito Taco Salad, Strawberry Poppyseed Salad (Panera Copy Cat), or Big Mac in a Bowl.

Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients Needed
  • How to make a BLT Pasta Salad
  • Tips for BLT Pasta Salad
  • Other Recipes to Try
  • Weight Watcher's BLT Pasta Salad

Why You Will Love This Recipe

I’ve brought this pasta salad recipe I found on Pinterest to quite a few pot lucks and BBQ's during the Summer and let me tell you something about Pinterest.

If you see a recipe that keeps on getting repinned and repinned over and over again it's usually a good recipe.

This one did not disappoint either. I mean c' mon it's a BLT pasta salad in a sauce with light mayo, vinegar, and mustard and it's topped with BACON. Bacon and colorful sprinkles are super foods because they make people happy. 🙂

Ingredients Needed

BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch - Recipe Diaries (2)
  • Macaroni shells pasta, cooked - For pasta salad, it's best to use short pasta shapes that can hold the dressing and other ingredients well. Some popular choices include fusilli, rotini, penne, farfalle, and macaroni.
  • Tomatoes diced - it's best to use a tomato variety that is firm and has low moisture content.
  • Bacon, cooked and crumbled - Using bacon in pasta salad adds a delicious flavor and texture to the dish. Cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble it into small pieces.
  • Lettuce, thinly sliced (can sub scallions 1 cup or as many as you like.
  • Sugar
  • Cider vinegar - Apple cider vinegar is often used in pasta salad because it adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients. It can help to balance the richness of the pasta and other ingredients, making the dish more flavorful and satisfying.
  • Fat free mayonnaise -I use this because fewer calories and little to no fat, making it a better choice for those who are watching their weight or trying to maintain a heart-healthy diet.
  • Greek yogurt - This adds a tany component to the dressing and also adds extra protein.
  • Ranch seasoning mix - Contains a blend of herbs and spices such as parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. It may also include salt, buttermilk powder, and other flavorings.
  • Worcestershiresauce - Adds a savory, umami flavor to dressings. It is commonly used in Caesar salad dressing, as well as in dressings for steak salads and other meat-based salads.
  • See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to make a BLT Pasta Salad

Recipe Tip: To keep lettuce fresh add it on top when ready to serve. Don't mix it right away. I like to sometimes add it separately so it's easier to save the pasta.

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce

Step 2: In a small bowl, mix sugar, vinegar, mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt, Ranch seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.

BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch - Recipe Diaries (4)

Step 3: Add the dressing mixture to the pasta, bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce and stir to combine.

BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch - Recipe Diaries (5)

Recipe makes 6 to 8 servings.

½ cup of BLT pasta is 4 smart points.

Tips for BLT Pasta Salad

Instead of lettuce, you can use chopped scallions. The chopped scallions will last longer in the fridge if you don’t eat all of this right away. Lettuce wilts pretty fast. If you are worried about the lettuce wilting, do not add it to the pasta salad. When ready to eat chop up some lettuce and add it to the salad.

Make this a complete meal and add in some grilled chicken.

Boil the noodles and cook the bacon a day before and store them in the fridge. When ready to eat mix all the ingredients together.

Other Recipes to Try

  • Pizza Pasta Casserole
  • Weight Watchers Starbucks Points
  • WW Meatballs (Low Point)
  • Weight Watchers Chicken Salad with Grapes

If you tried this BLT Pasta Salad or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries

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BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch - Recipe Diaries (10)

Weight Watcher's BLT Pasta Salad

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

4.5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Jenna
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 to 8 1x
Print Recipe

Description

BLT Pasta Salad -This fun Weight Watcher's BLT Pasta Salad is the perfect side to bring to your next 4th of July gathering. No one will even know that it is WW friendly or diet friendly.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 3 ⅔ cup large macaroni shells pasta, cooked
  • 4 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 4 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 3 cup lettuce, thinly sliced (can sub scallions 1 cup or as many as you like)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp cider vinegar
  • ½ cup fat free mayonnaise
  • ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 tsp of dry Ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 tspof Worcestershiresauce
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 salt
  • 1 pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix pasta, bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce.
  2. In a small bowl, mix sugar, vinegar, mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt, Ranch seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Add the dressing mixture to the pasta, bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce and stir to combine.
  4. Recipe makes 6 to 8 servings.
  5. 1 cup of BLT pasta is 6 smart points.

Notes

My WW Personal Points: 4 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)

myWW points: Blue 4; Green 4; Purple 4

Recipe and nutrition info food.com If you want even more flavor add in about a 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke and a packet of ranch seasoning.

  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Boil
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 6
  • Fat: 4.7g
  • Saturated Fat: 1
  • Carbohydrates: 9.6 g
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 5
BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

How do you make pasta salad not soggy? ›

Since it's not being served hot or with sauce, the pasta benefits from an extra minute of cooking, but don't let it get mushy. → Follow this tip: For a well-cooked pasta salad, plan to cook the pasta until just past al dente. Adding an extra minute or so of cook time will keep the pasta soft while it cools.

Should I rinse pasta when making pasta salad? ›

If you're making a dish that will be served chilled or at room temp—think cold soba, rice noodles, pasta salad—you do want to rinse so that you get toothsome (sorry) individual strands rather than one big gummy clump. Certain types of noodles benefit from a rinse in almost all applications.

Does pasta need to cool before making pasta salad? ›

I find that the higher time range listed on box instructions is usually just about right for pasta salad. Let your pasta cool completely before tossing it with the other ingredients. If it's still warm, the hot pasta will start to cook and wilt the veggies.

Do you rinse pasta in cold water for pasta salad? ›

If you are making a cold pasta salad, you would use cold water or just let it cool after making. If you are putting it in a sauce, do not rinse the starch helps the sauce to stick to it.

Why does my pasta salad taste weird? ›

Vinegar and other acidic ingredients do strange things to the flavor of pasta when used in salad-level amounts. Ever notice an irritating acerbic aftertaste just about every time you've eaten pasta salad? That's the vinegar announcing itself, and it's not pleasant.

What are the seven things that you should not do when preparing the salad? ›

Common Salad Mistakes
  1. Here are seven things you should NOT do when making salads: Too much dressing. ...
  2. Pouring on the dressing. ...
  3. Wet salad leaves. ...
  4. Not seasoning it. ...
  5. Subpar salad dressings. ...
  6. Uncreative toppings. ...
  7. Served in a bowl.
May 13, 2013

When creating a salad what 5 factors should you consider? ›

I will share some specific salad recipes in the coming days and weeks. But today, I am going to teach you how to make a salad without using a recipe so you, too, can become a salad artist. Sound like a deal? There are five elements to a perfect salad: greens, sweetness, creaminess, crunchiness, and dressing.

What is necessary to avoid when making fresh pasta? ›

15 Mistakes To Avoid When Making Fresh Pasta
  1. Not using the well method to mix your pasta. ...
  2. Using the wrong type of flour. ...
  3. Using too many egg whites. ...
  4. Not using the correct dry-to-wet ingredient ratio. ...
  5. Not adding semolina. ...
  6. Under-kneading your pasta dough. ...
  7. Forgetting to rest your pasta dough. ...
  8. Rolling out your pasta by hand.
Feb 1, 2023

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