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BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A quick and delicious BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and a creamy homemade avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or easy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 6 strips thick-cut bacon
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or plain yogurt or milk plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional add-ins:
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup sweet corn kernels, fresh or frozen
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain well.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 thick-cut bacon strips and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat, then crumble or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup buttermilk, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons chopped chives, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, ½ teaspoon dried dill, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups of cherry tomatoes and chop 2 cups romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. If using, finely chop 1 small red onion and prepare optional corn kernels.
  5. In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta with bacon pieces, tomatoes, lettuce, and any optional add-ins. Pour the creamy avocado ranch dressing over the top and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Before serving, give a gentle stir and adjust seasoning if needed. Add an extra sprinkle of fresh herbs or cracked pepper on top for presentation.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent mushiness. Cook bacon until crispy for best texture. Use ripe avocado for smooth dressing. Prepare dressing last to keep it vibrant green. Chill salad for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Add lettuce just before serving if storing leftovers to keep it crisp. Dressing can be loosened with a splash of buttermilk or milk if too thick after chilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, avocado ranch dressing, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, picnic salad

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-creamy-avocado-ranch-dressing-easy-and-delicious/