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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a homemade ranch dressing that perfectly balances smoky and tangy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or shell pasta
  • 6–8 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 2 cups chopped Romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or diced Roma tomatoes)
  • ¼ cup finely diced red onion (optional)
  • For the Ranch Dressing:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • ½ tsp dried dill (optional)
  • Salt and 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 directions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside to cool.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 6-8 slices of bacon and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup sour cream, and ¼ cup buttermilk until smooth. Add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives, 1 tbsp parsley, ½ tsp dried dill, salt, and pepper to taste. Whisk again until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Roughly chop 2 cups Romaine lettuce, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, and finely dice ¼ cup red onion if using. Add these to a large mixing bowl.
  5. Add the cooled pasta and chopped bacon to the bowl with the veggies. Pour the ranch dressing over everything and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated. Taste and add salt or pepper if needed. Chill in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent sticking and remove excess starch. Cook bacon low and slow for crispiness. Make ranch dressing fresh for best flavor. Toss salad gently to keep lettuce crisp. Chill salad before serving to meld flavors. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For vegetarian, substitute bacon with roasted chickpeas or smoked tempeh.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-perfect-ranch-dressing/