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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing

Close-up of creamy blt pasta salad featuring fusilli pasta, crispy bacon bits, and halved cherry tomatoes.
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This creamy BLT pasta salad combines crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes with tender rotini pasta, all coated in a rich avocado ranch dressing. It is a perfect, easy cold pasta salad for summer BBQs and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool completely.
  2. While the pasta cools, prepare the avocado ranch dressing. In a food processor or blender, combine the avocado, mayonnaise, buttermilk, lime juice, garlic powder, and onion powder. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, halved tomatoes, and chopped romaine lettuce.
  4. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  5. Cover the bowl and chill the BLT pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving as a BBQ side dish or quick weeknight meal.

Notes

  • For the crispiest bacon, cook it slowly in a skillet over medium heat until fully rendered and crisp. Drain well on paper towels.
  • If you are making this ahead of time, keep the lettuce separate and stir it in just before serving to prevent it from wilting.
  • This recipe works well for make-ahead salads; chill for up to 4 hours.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://daisyrecipe.com/blt-pasta-salad-recipe-creamy-avocado-ranch/