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Easy 5-Ingredient BLT Pasta Salad Recipe for Perfect Summer BBQs

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A quick and fuss-free BLT pasta salad combining crispy bacon, rotini pasta, fresh cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) rotini pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups (100 grams) romaine lettuce, chopped
  • ½ cup (120 ml) creamy ranch dressing

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts (4 liters) of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Let it drain thoroughly (about 5 minutes).
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a frying pan over medium heat. Lay 6 slices of thick-cut bacon flat and cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Rinse and chop 2 cups (100 grams) of romaine lettuce and halve 1 cup (150 grams) of cherry tomatoes.
  4. In a large bowl, add the drained pasta, chopped bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes. Pour in ½ cup (120 ml) of creamy ranch dressing. Toss gently but thoroughly.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. Optionally, add a squeeze of lemon juice. Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving or serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente is key. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and keep lettuce crisp. Cook bacon evenly over medium heat for best texture. Dry lettuce well to avoid watery salad. Toss gently to avoid bruising tomatoes and crushing lettuce. Save a tablespoon of bacon fat for extra flavor if desired. Add lettuce just before serving if storing leftovers to keep it crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, easy pasta salad, summer BBQ salad, bacon pasta salad, creamy ranch pasta salad

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/easy-5-ingredient-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-for-perfect-summer-bbqs/