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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado

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A fresh and easy summer pasta salad combining crispy bacon, ripe avocado, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy avocado-based dressing for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced thinly
  • ½ cup (120ml) plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225g) rotini or bowtie pasta 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 to drain well.
  2. While pasta cooks, fry 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 6-8 minutes), flipping occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, mash 1 ripe avocado until smooth but still a bit chunky. Add ½ cup (120ml) plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until creamy and well combined. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce, and 2 sliced green onions. Pour the avocado dressing over and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Be careful not to mash the avocado too much during mixing.
  5. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Give it a gentle stir before plating. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

If avocado dressing is too thick, add a splash of water or extra lemon juice to thin it out. Rinse pasta with cold water to prevent mushiness. Cook pasta and bacon simultaneously to save time. Avoid over-blending avocado for texture. Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 2 days; add lemon juice before storing to prevent browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy avocado dressing, summer salad, easy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, avocado salad, fresh summer recipe

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-with-avocado-easy-fresh-summer-recipe/