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Fresh BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Creamy Avocado Ranch Drizzle

Fresh BLT Pasta Salad - featured image
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A fresh and light BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, romaine lettuce, and a creamy avocado ranch drizzle. Perfect for quick dinners, potlucks, and casual lunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or water to thin dressing

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8–10 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 6 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Halve 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, chop 3 cups of romaine lettuce, and thinly slice ½ cup of red onion (if using). Shred 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese.
  4. In a food processor or blender, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried dill, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Add 2–3 tablespoons milk or water to thin the dressing to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, red onion, and shredded cheddar. Pour the creamy avocado ranch drizzle over the top.
  6. Gently toss the salad until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately or chill for 15-30 minutes to meld flavors. Taste again before serving and adjust salt or pepper if needed.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad initially; add dressing gradually to avoid sogginess. Letting the salad rest in the fridge for 15-30 minutes helps flavors meld. If dressing thickens after chilling, stir in a splash of milk to loosen it. Use ripe avocado for smooth dressing. Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and cool it.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://evabake.com/fresh-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-creamy-avocado-ranch-drizzle/