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Fresh BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy fresh BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and al dente pasta tossed in a creamy avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for casual dinners, potlucks, and family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt (or dairy-free coconut yogurt)
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp lemon juice/vinegar, or unsweetened almond milk)
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook 8 slices of thick-cut bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes and chop 2 cups romaine lettuce. Set aside.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, cherry tomatoes, and romaine lettuce. Pour the creamy avocado ranch dressing over everything.
  6. Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are well coated with the dressing. Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley for a fresh, colorful finish.

Notes

Make sure pasta is well drained before tossing to avoid watery salad. If dressing is too thick, whisk in more buttermilk or milk to loosen. Prepare salad up to 2 hours ahead and add lettuce just before serving to maintain crunch. Use ripe but firm avocado for best dressing texture. Cook bacon until crisp but not burnt for optimal flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, avocado ranch dressing, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, easy pasta salad, quick dinner, potluck recipe

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