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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch and Crispy Bacon

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A creamy and flavorful pasta salad combining crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and a smooth avocado ranch dressing for a fresh twist on the classic BLT.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce or chopped romaine
  • 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free coconut yogurt)
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (or milk of choice)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh, finely chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. While pasta cooks, place 6 slices thick-cut bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. Cook, turning occasionally, until bacon is evenly crispy but not burnt, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain extra grease. Once cooled, roughly chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more buttermilk if needed to reach desired consistency.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, and 1/2 cup sliced green onions. Pour dressing over the top.
  5. Gently toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with avocado ranch and ingredients are well distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover and chill for at least 20 minutes to let flavors mingle.
  6. Give the salad a final toss before serving. Garnish with extra chopped green onions or fresh dill if desired.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and cool noodles. Dry pasta well before mixing to prevent watery salad. Cook bacon low and slow for even crispness. Use ripe avocados for smooth dressing. Prepare salad no more than a few hours ahead to keep freshness. Reheat bacon if needed to restore crispness before mixing.

Nutrition

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

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