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Creamy Classic BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Smoked Bacon and Avocado Ranch

Creamy Classic BLT Pasta Salad - featured image
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A creamy and fresh BLT pasta salad featuring smoky bacon, crisp veggies, and a rich avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for quick summer meals, potlucks, or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 6 slices smoked bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
  • ½ cup diced red onion (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tsp lemon juice as substitute)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta quickly. Drain well and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, fry 6 slices of smoked bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tbsp fresh chives, 1 tbsp dill if using, and 1 tsp apple cider vinegar. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the dressing is too thick, add a splash of buttermilk or water to loosen it up.
  4. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, chop 1 cup romaine lettuce, and dice ½ cup red onion if using. Set aside.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and onion. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the top and gently toss everything together until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and dressing to thicken slightly.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta to avoid mushiness. Rinse pasta under cold water to cool and keep salad fresh. Use ripe avocados for smooth dressing. Cook bacon to crispy perfection for best texture. Chill salad before serving to meld flavors. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo and almond milk. Gluten-free pasta can be used. Baking bacon at 400°F for 15-20 minutes on a wire rack is a good alternative to frying.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, avocado ranch, smoked bacon, creamy pasta salad, summer salad, quick salad recipe, potluck salad

Find it online: https://grubella.com/creamy-classic-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-smoked-bacon-and-avocado-ranch/