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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing Delight

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A creamy and crunchy BLT pasta salad tossed with homemade ranch dressing, perfect for casual gatherings and quick meals. This recipe combines crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and rotini pasta for a satisfying and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 2 cups chopped Romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or regular milk with a splash of lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: ¼ cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Optional: chopped green onions or chives
  • Optional: sliced cucumbers

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces rotini and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly (about 5 minutes).
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook 6 slices of thick-cut bacon until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and ¼ cup buttermilk. Add 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried parsley, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice. Mix until smooth. If dressing seems too thick, add a splash more buttermilk to reach desired consistency.
  4. Roughly chop 2 cups Romaine lettuce and halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes. Optionally, slice cucumbers or green onions if using. Dry the lettuce well to prevent watering down the salad.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes. Pour the ranch dressing over the top and toss gently but thoroughly until everything is coated evenly without sogginess.
  6. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld, though it’s good right away too.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Cook bacon until crisp for best texture. Add lettuce just before serving or chilling to keep it crisp. Chilling the salad helps flavors meld. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta; for dairy-free, substitute sour cream and buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-ranch-dressing-delight/