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Fresh BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing

Fresh BLT Pasta Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy pasta salad combining smoky bacon, fresh romaine, cherry tomatoes, and a creamy avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for lunches, potlucks, and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 4 cups fresh romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini or bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well and place in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve a teaspoon of bacon fat if desired.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, and 1 minced garlic clove. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with more buttermilk or milk if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Chop 4 cups romaine lettuce and halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes. Chop fresh herbs if using.
  5. Add chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and bacon pieces to the bowl with pasta. Pour the creamy avocado ranch dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Drizzle reserved bacon fat over salad if using and toss again.
  6. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh herbs. Serve immediately or chill for 15-20 minutes to let flavors meld.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta to keep texture firm. Rinse pasta with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sogginess. Use ripe avocados for smooth dressing. Adjust dressing thickness with milk or buttermilk. Bacon and dressing can be made a day ahead and stored separately. Toss salad just before serving for freshness. For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt and buttermilk with coconut yogurt and almond milk and use dairy-free ranch seasoning. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/fresh-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-creamy-avocado-ranch-dressing-guide/