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Fresh BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy summer pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and a creamy avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for busy weeknights, picnics, or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cups romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
  • 1 ripe Hass avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (120 ml)
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, plain and full-fat (60 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop cooking. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crisp, about 5-7 minutes per side. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Halve 1.5 cups of cherry tomatoes and roughly chop 3 cups of romaine lettuce. Set aside.
  4. In a food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 small clove garlic, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon chives, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If too thick, add more buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  5. Add the chopped bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce to the cooled pasta. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, making sure everything is evenly coated.
  6. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. For an extra pop, sprinkle a little extra chopped parsley over the top.
  7. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent sticking. Use ripe but firm avocados for best dressing texture. Cook bacon crisp for texture contrast. Make dressing fresh before tossing to prevent browning. Save bacon fat for other recipes if desired. For vegetarian version, substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon. Gluten-free pasta can be used for gluten-free option.

Nutrition

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

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