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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Ranch Dressing Easy and Best

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A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad with ranch dressing that combines crispy bacon, fresh cherry tomatoes, and rotini pasta for a satisfying summer dish perfect for lunches or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup ranch dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Salt, 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 (usually 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, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 thick-cut bacon slices and cook until crispy, about 8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then crumble or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Slice 1 pint of cherry tomatoes in half, chop 2 cups of romaine lettuce, and thinly slice 3 green onions. Add these to the bowl with the pasta.
  4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup ranch dressing, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust salt carefully, considering bacon and ranch bring saltiness.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta and veggies. Add crumbled bacon and gently toss everything together until well coated. The pasta should glisten with dressing but not pool at the bottom.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and the dressing thicken slightly. Give it a gentle stir before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse under cold water immediately after cooking to stop cooking and cool. Cook bacon evenly over medium heat or bake in oven for less mess. Toss salad gently to avoid breaking pasta or bruising tomatoes. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Add extra ranch or olive oil if salad seems dry after chilling.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-ranch-dressing-easy-and-best/