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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and a smooth avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) rotini or penne pasta
  • 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce or romaine
  • ½ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup buttermilk or whole milk (or dairy-free milk)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
  • 1 tsp dried dill weed
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) rotini and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, fry 6-8 slices of thick-cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup buttermilk, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp dried dill, 1 tsp dried parsley, ½ tsp onion powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. In a large bowl, add the drained pasta, chopped bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and thinly sliced red onion. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the top.
  5. Gently toss everything together until the dressing coats the pasta and veggies evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  6. Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and taste for seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if needed. Garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; al dente works best. Drain and cool pasta thoroughly to prevent watery salad. Use ripe avocados for smooth dressing. Cook bacon until crisp for best texture. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Drain excess liquid if salad becomes watery after chilling. Dressing can be made dairy-free or vegan with substitutions. Bacon can be swapped for smoked tempeh or crispy chickpeas for vegetarian version.

Nutrition

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

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