Print

Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing Twist

creamy blt pasta salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a homemade ranch dressing that elevates this classic comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 2 cups shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 small green onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta quickly. Set aside in the colander to drain well.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices thick-cut bacon and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain and cool. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup buttermilk, 1 tsp dried dill, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The dressing should be creamy but pourable.
  4. Rinse and dry 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce, halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice 3 green onions. Make sure lettuce is well dried to avoid watering down the salad.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and green onions. Pour the ranch dressing over the top.
  6. Use tongs or two large spoons to toss the salad until all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing. Avoid overmixing to keep the lettuce crisp.
  7. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Give it a quick toss before plating.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water immediately after cooking to stop cooking and cool it quickly. Use thick-cut bacon for better texture and less grease. Dry lettuce thoroughly to avoid soggy salad. Chill salad at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Add extra buttermilk or olive oil if salad seems dry after chilling. Avoid overdressing initially.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-ranch-dressing-twist/