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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Easy Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A quick and satisfying creamy BLT pasta salad tossed with a smooth, tangy avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks, lunches, or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 2 cups shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce, roughly chopped
  • 1 large ripe tomato, diced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives or green onions
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz rotini and cook according to package instructions, about 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta and stop cooking. Let it drain well.
  2. While the pasta cooks, cook 6 slices of thick-cut bacon in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Drain on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Save a little bacon fat for extra flavor if desired.
  3. Dice 1 large ripe tomato, roughly chop 2 cups lettuce, and finely chop 1/4 cup red onion. Set aside.
  4. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons chopped chives, and 1 tablespoon chopped dill. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If dressing is too thick, add a tablespoon of water or more buttermilk to thin.
  5. In a large bowl, add cooled pasta, chopped bacon, tomato, lettuce, and red onion. Pour avocado ranch dressing over the top and toss gently to coat evenly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld, or serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente is best. Rinse pasta with cold water to stop cooking and keep lettuce crisp. Use ripe but firm avocado for smooth dressing. Toss salad gently to keep bacon crunchy and lettuce crisp. For dairy-free, substitute buttermilk and mayo with coconut yogurt and almond milk. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

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

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