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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Avocado Ranch and Crunchy Bacon

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A flavorful and creamy pasta salad inspired by the classic BLT sandwich, featuring a smooth avocado ranch dressing and crispy bacon for a satisfying crunch. Perfect for potlucks, weeknight dinners, or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until very crispy
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 8–10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cool, crumble or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine 2 ripe avocados, 1/2 cup (120 ml) plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup (60 ml) buttermilk, 1 clove minced garlic, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, add a splash more buttermilk or water to reach desired consistency.
  4. Halve 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes and chop 3 cups romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and half of the crispy bacon pieces. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining bacon on top for extra crunch and serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.

Notes

Cook bacon slowly over medium heat for maximum crispiness. Use ripe avocados for smooth dressing. Salt pasta water well. Toss salad just before serving to prevent lettuce wilting. Dressing can be thinned with extra buttermilk or water. For gluten-free, use brown rice or chickpea pasta. For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and buttermilk with almond milk.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-avocado-ranch-and-crunchy-bacon/