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Creamy Loaded BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a creamy avocado ranch dressing that is perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta, cooked al dente
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 large ripe avocado
  • ½ cup buttermilk (120 ml)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook 8 thick-cut bacon slices until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally for even browning. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, crumble or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If dressing is too thick, add a splash more buttermilk.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, chop 3 cups romaine lettuce, and finely dice ¼ cup red onion (optional). Add these to the pasta bowl along with the crumbled bacon.
  5. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to help flavors meld and the dressing to firm up slightly. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

For best texture, rinse pasta after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Cook bacon until very crispy and drain well to keep salad from becoming soggy. Dressing can be made dairy-free by substituting vegan mayo and almond milk with apple cider vinegar. Prepare pasta and bacon a day ahead and mix with dressing just before serving to keep lettuce crisp. Add extra dressing or buttermilk if salad seems dry after chilling.

Nutrition

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

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