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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy summer pasta salad featuring creamy avocado ranch dressing, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and romaine lettuce. Perfect for gatherings or a refreshing meal on hot days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) rotini or your favorite short pasta (penne or bowtie works great too)
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 large ripe avocado
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt (use dairy-free if needed)
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk with a splash of lemon juice)
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it off. Set aside to drain completely.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  4. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth and creamy. If dressing is too thick, add a splash more buttermilk or water to thin.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, 1 ½ cups halved cherry tomatoes, and 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Use ripe avocados that give slightly when pressed for best dressing texture. For gluten-free, substitute pasta with gluten-free rotini. Bacon can be baked at 400°F for 15 minutes as an alternative to skillet cooking. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Add lettuce just before chilling or serving to keep it crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, avocado ranch dressing, creamy pasta salad, summer salad, bacon pasta salad, easy pasta salad, backyard BBQ salad

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