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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch

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A quick and easy summer pasta salad combining crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade creamy ranch dressing for a refreshing and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
  • 3 cups iceberg or romaine lettuce, shredded
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk with a squeeze of lemon juice as a substitute)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon dried dill
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package directions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large bowl.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices thick-cut bacon and cook, turning occasionally, until crispy (about 8 minutes). Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat. Once cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon dried dill, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust thickness with more buttermilk if needed.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups of cherry tomatoes, slice 3 green onions thinly, and shred 3 cups of lettuce. If using cheddar cheese, shred ½ cup now.
  5. Add bacon, tomatoes, green onions, lettuce, and cheese (if using) to the pasta bowl. Pour the ranch dressing over everything. Gently fold until well combined, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated but lettuce stays crisp.
  6. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, give it a gentle stir. Taste and add extra salt or pepper if needed.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad to keep lettuce crisp. Add lettuce last and chill immediately after mixing. For a dairy-free option, use almond milk-based ranch dressing. Bacon can be swapped for turkey bacon for a leaner version. Homemade ranch dressing tastes better than store-bought and can be thinned with milk if needed. Cook pasta al dente and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and keep pasta firm.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-with-ranch-recipe-easy-fresh-summer-meal/