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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Easy Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A creamy and fresh pasta salad combining crispy bacon, tender pasta, fresh tomatoes, and a luscious avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for summer parties and quick gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 ripe avocado, mashed
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk for thinner dressing)
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh chives, minced
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini or fusilli and cook according to package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While pasta cooks, fry 8 slices of thick-cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning as needed. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, mash 1 ripe avocado until smooth but still a bit chunky. Add ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, ¼ cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 teaspoon minced chives, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Whisk together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes and chop 2 cups romaine lettuce. Add these to the large bowl with pasta.
  5. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the pasta, tomatoes, and lettuce. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  6. Fold in the chopped crispy bacon last to keep its texture intact. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 20 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water to prevent sticking and keep salad fresh. Cook bacon until very crispy and add last to maintain texture. Use ripe but firm avocado for best dressing texture. Dressing can be adjusted with more buttermilk if too thick. For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt and buttermilk with coconut yogurt and almond milk. Salad is best served chilled or at room temperature and can be made ahead but keep lettuce separate if prepping more than a day ahead.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://milaspoon.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-easy-avocado-ranch-dressing/