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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A fresh and indulgent summer pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and a creamy avocado ranch dressing that adds a unique twist to a classic favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) rotini or fusilli pasta
  • Salt, for boiling water
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • ½ small red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) rotini and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While the pasta cooks, cook 6 slices thick-cut bacon until crispy. For best results, bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) on a wire rack over a baking sheet for 15-20 minutes. Once cool, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, and 2 tablespoons fresh chives. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the dressing is too thick, add a splash more buttermilk or milk to loosen it up.
  4. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, chop 2 cups romaine lettuce, and finely dice ½ small red onion if using. Add these to the bowl with the cooled pasta.
  5. Add the crumbled bacon to the pasta and veggies. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over everything. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly without breaking up the tomatoes or lettuce.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed right before serving.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Oven-baking bacon on a wire rack yields the crispiest results. Use a food processor for a smooth avocado ranch dressing. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. For dairy-free, swap buttermilk with unsweetened almond milk and use egg-free mayonnaise. For vegetarian, omit bacon and add roasted chickpeas or tempeh bacon.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-with-avocado-ranch-dressing-recipe-perfect-for-summer/