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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Easy Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad featuring a homemade avocado ranch dressing, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and crisp lettuce. Perfect for casual meals and crowd-pleasing gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) rotini or penne pasta
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, roughly chopped
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup (120 ml) plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) buttermilk or milk
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). 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 6 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup (120 ml) plain Greek yogurt, ¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, and ¼ cup (60 ml) buttermilk or milk. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne if desired.
  4. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes and roughly chop 2 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce. Add to the bowl with pasta.
  5. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the pasta and veggies. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Add the crispy bacon last and fold it in carefully to keep the pieces intact.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors meld and the dressing thicken slightly. Give it a final stir before serving.

Notes

Use ripe but not mushy avocado for best dressing texture. Rinsing pasta under cold water stops cooking and prevents clumping. Chill salad at least 20 minutes before serving for best flavor. Add bacon just before serving to keep it crispy. For gluten-free, use rice or chickpea pasta. For vegetarian, omit bacon and add toasted sunflower seeds or smoked paprika roasted chickpeas.

Nutrition

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

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