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Crispy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Bacon Ranch Dressing

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A flavorful and easy-to-make pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and a creamy homemade bacon ranch dressing. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, and backyard barbecues.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or whole milk with 1 tsp lemon juice as a substitute)
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340g) rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool for about 10 minutes.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Lay 8 slices of thick-cut bacon flat in the pan and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and ¼ cup buttermilk. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives, 1 tbsp parsley, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Add 1 tsp Dijon mustard if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups of cherry tomatoes, chop 2 cups of romaine lettuce, and finely dice ¼ cup red onion if using.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crispy bacon pieces, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and red onion. Pour the bacon ranch dressing over the salad. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Use thick-cut bacon for best crispiness. Make the bacon ranch dressing ahead of time to enhance flavors. Add lettuce last to avoid sogginess. Keep extra bacon bits for garnish. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta; for dairy-free, substitute mayo, sour cream, and buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, bacon ranch dressing, summer salad, pasta salad, crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/crispy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-bacon-ranch-dressing-perfect-for-summer/