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Fresh BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy fresh BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and tender pasta, all tossed in a creamy avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks, lunches, or summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) rotini or bowtie pasta, cooked al dente
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
  • ½ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp lemon juice as a substitute)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of rotini or bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large bowl.
  2. While pasta cooks, place 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a cold skillet. Turn heat to medium and cook until bacon is crisp and browned, about 8-10 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, chop 2 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, and finely dice ½ cup red onion if using. Add all to the bowl with the cooled pasta.
  4. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup buttermilk, ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Pour the creamy avocado ranch dressing over the pasta and veggies. Add the chopped bacon. Gently toss everything together until well coated and evenly combined. If the dressing feels too thick, add a splash more buttermilk to thin it out.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to let flavors meld and the salad chill. Before serving, give it a gentle stir and taste once more to add salt or pepper if needed.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute pasta with brown rice or chickpea pasta. For dairy-free, use dairy-free mayo and coconut or almond milk instead of buttermilk. To keep bacon extra crispy, crumble just before serving. Dry lettuce well to avoid sogginess. Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and cool it quickly.

Nutrition

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

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