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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing Salad

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A creamy BLT pasta salad combining crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks, casual dinners, or quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • For the Homemade Ranch Dressing:
  • ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk (or regular milk with a splash of lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, fry 6 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 5-7 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and ½ cup buttermilk. Stir in 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The dressing should be creamy but pourable.
  4. Chop 2 cups romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice 2 green onions. Pat the lettuce dry if needed to avoid a watery salad.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled pasta with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and green onions. Pour the ranch dressing over the salad and gently stir until everything is evenly coated. Be careful not to mush the lettuce.
  6. For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Give it a gentle stir before plating.

Notes

Avoid overdressing the salad initially; add more ranch dressing if needed. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and keep firm. Dry lettuce well to prevent watery salad. Crisp bacon is essential for texture and flavor. Chill salad at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Stir in a splash of milk or buttermilk if salad thickens after chilling. For dairy-free or vegan versions, substitute mayo, sour cream, and buttermilk with plant-based alternatives. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-sensitive diets.

Nutrition

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

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