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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Avocado Ranch with Crispy Bacon

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A creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and a unique avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup crisp romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk or milk
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro or parsley (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh dill
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6-8 slices thick-cut bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried dill, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with extra buttermilk if needed.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion. Toss gently to mix.
  5. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the salad and toss until well coated. Add a splash of buttermilk or water if dressing is too thick.
  6. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired. Chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use thick-cut bacon for better crunch. Rinse pasta after cooking to stop cooking and cool it for salad. Adjust dressing consistency with buttermilk or water. For vegetarian version, substitute bacon with smoked tempeh or crispy mushrooms. For dairy-free, use coconut yogurt and almond milk. Store bacon separately to maintain crispness if storing leftovers.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://morselora.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-avocado-ranch-with-crispy-bacon/