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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A nostalgic and fresh creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a luscious avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for summer picnics or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) rotini pasta (or your favorite short pasta)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion (optional)
  • 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or substitute with milk + 1 tsp lemon juice)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped dill or 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped chives
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse briefly with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook 6 slices of thick-cut bacon until crispy, about 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tbsp fresh dill, 1 tbsp chives, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and season with salt and cracked black pepper. If too thick, add a splash more buttermilk.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, 1/2 cup diced red onion, and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Toss gently to mix.
  5. Pour the creamy avocado ranch dressing over the salad. Toss everything together until every bit is coated. Start with about 3/4 of the dressing and add more if you want it extra creamy.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, give it a gentle toss and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent clumping. Use ripe but firm avocado for best dressing texture. Make dressing ahead and toss just before serving to keep salad fresh. Substitute gluten-free pasta or dairy-free alternatives as needed.

Nutrition

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

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