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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A creamy and refreshing pasta salad featuring crunchy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and a silky avocado ranch dressing, perfect for summer gatherings and quick dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded Romaine lettuce or iceberg
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup buttermilk or milk of choice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside in a large bowl.
  2. While pasta cooks, fry 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cooled.
  3. Halve cherry tomatoes, shred Romaine lettuce, thinly slice red onion if using, and shred sharp cheddar cheese. Add all to the bowl with pasta and bacon.
  4. In a food processor or blender, combine avocado, Greek yogurt, buttermilk, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more buttermilk if needed to reach desired consistency.
  5. Pour avocado ranch dressing over pasta mixture and toss gently to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta to avoid mushiness. Rinse pasta under cold water immediately after cooking to stop cooking and help dressing adhere. Use ripe avocado for creamy dressing. Bacon fat can be reserved for added smoky flavor. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Dressing can be stored separately for up to 24 hours to prevent browning.

Nutrition

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

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