Print

Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing and Crispy Bacon

creamy BLT pasta salad - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and a homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a satisfying lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
  • 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp dried dill weed
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together ¾ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and ¼ cup buttermilk until smooth. Stir in 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tbsp chopped chives, 1 tbsp fresh parsley, and 1 tsp dried dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. Halve 2 cups cherry tomatoes, chop 2 cups romaine lettuce, and slice 3 green onions thinly. Make sure lettuce is well-drained to avoid watering down the salad.
  5. In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crispy bacon pieces, tomatoes, lettuce, and green onions. Pour the ranch dressing over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Give it a gentle toss before plating.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For lighter dressing, substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise and sour cream. Add extra buttermilk or mayonnaise if pasta seems dry after chilling. Add crumbled bacon just before serving for extra crispness. Dry lettuce well to avoid sogginess. Bacon should be cooked over medium heat for best crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, homemade ranch dressing, crispy bacon, easy pasta salad, picnic salad, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-ranch-dressing-and-crispy-bacon/