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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing Version

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A creamy and flavorful BLT pasta salad combining crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and homemade ranch dressing for a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for potlucks and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) elbow macaroni or small pasta shapes
  • 6 slices center-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 ½ cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream (full-fat)
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp lemon juice as a substitute)
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) elbow macaroni 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.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 6 slices center-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain and cool. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and ¼ cup buttermilk until smooth. Stir in 1 tsp dried dill, 1 tsp dried parsley, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp onion powder. Season with salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Adjust thickness by adding more buttermilk if needed.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 ½ cups chopped romaine lettuce, and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese if using.
  5. Pour the ranch dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly until every bite has a creamy coating. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water to prevent sogginess. Cook bacon until crispy and drain excess fat. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, substitute vegan mayo and yogurt and use almond milk instead of buttermilk. Toss gently to avoid bruising tomatoes or wilting lettuce.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://grubella.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-ranch-dressing-version/