Best BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad – Quick & Easy
Love a classic BLT but want a quick and easy meal? This BLT tortellini pasta salad is the perfect solution. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping the tortellini from sticking and the dressing from being too heavy. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Tuna Salad Recipe and Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Quick and Easy Recipe.
Why This Best BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad – Quick & Easy Is Pure Comfort
- Perfect for busy weeknights and cookouts
- Creamy dressing with a tangy kick
- Crispy bacon and fresh veggies in every bite
- Better than takeout and easy to customize
What You'll Need for Best BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad – Quick & Easy
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 (20 oz) package cheese tortellini
- 6 slices bacon
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Red onion, diced
- Optional: Crumbled blue cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- tortellini: Use refrigerated or frozen tortellini. Cook according to package instructions.
- bacon: Cook until crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect bacon crispiness. Pays for itself vs takeout. → See on Amazon
- Salad Spinner — Dries lettuce quickly for a crisp salad. Worth the investment for perfect salads every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad – Quick & Easy
- Cook tortellini: Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
- Cook bacon: In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Prepare dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine tortellini, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad – Quick & Easy
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking tortellini to prevent them from sticking together. Rinse with cold water after cooking.
- Time-saving tip: Prepare the dressing while the tortellini is cooking to save time.
- Flavor boost: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead. Add the lettuce just before serving to prevent it from getting soggy.
Storing & Reheating Best BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad – Quick & Easy
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare up to a day ahead. Add the lettuce just before serving.
Freezing Best BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad – Quick & Easy
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Microwave: Not recommended. Microwaving can make the salad soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter dressing, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- Best substitution: Substitute the cheese tortellini with spinach tortellini for a healthier twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead. Add the lettuce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the dressing is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of milk or buttermilk.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad Servers — Easy serving and mixing. Perfect for tossing salads and serving pasta salads. Pays for itself vs takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Best BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad – Quick & Easy
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz) package cheese tortellini
- 6 slices bacon
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Red onion, diced
- Crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Cook tortellini: Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking.
- Cook bacon: In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Prepare dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine tortellini, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter dressing, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- Best substitution: Substitute the cheese tortellini with spinach tortellini for a healthier twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead. Add the lettuce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the dressing is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of milk or buttermilk.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended. Microwaving can make the salad soggy.
- Make ahead: Prepare up to a day ahead. Add the lettuce just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sat. Fat: 8g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad – Quick & Easy FAQs
Yes, prepare the salad up to a day ahead. Add the lettuce just before serving to prevent it from getting soggy.
Ensure you're using enough dressing and that the tortellini isn't overcooked, which can make it sticky and dry.
Not recommended. Freezing can make the salad watery and the tortellini mushy.
The air fryer is not suitable for cooking tortellini or bacon. Stick to the stovetop for this recipe.
Substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad – Quick & Easy and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
