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Fresh BLT Pasta Salad with Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing

Fresh BLT Pasta Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy pasta salad combining crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a creamy avocado ranch dressing for a fresh twist on the classic BLT.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) rotini or penne pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 2 green onions, sliced thinly
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free coconut yogurt for vegan)
  • 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 dill, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package directions, about 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 6 slices thick-cut bacon and cook until crisp, about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain and cool, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Halve 2 cups cherry tomatoes, chop 1 cup romaine lettuce, slice 2 green onions thinly, and shred ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese. Add all to the bowl with pasta.
  4. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried dill, ½ teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add more buttermilk a tablespoon at a time.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Add the chopped bacon. Gently toss everything until evenly coated. Taste and adjust salt or pepper as needed.
  6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Give it a final toss just before plating.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water immediately after cooking to prevent mushiness. Cook bacon until crisp but still slightly chewy for texture contrast. Use ripe but not overripe avocado for best dressing flavor. Pulse blender in short bursts to avoid heating and dulling flavors. Adjust seasoning after tossing salad.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/fresh-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-creamy-avocado-ranch-dressing-mix/