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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing Delight

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A creamy BLT pasta salad featuring smoky bacon, fresh tomatoes, crisp romaine, and a homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for quick meals, picnics, and potlucks with a fresh and indulgent flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 3 large green onions, thinly sliced
  • For the Homemade Ranch Dressing:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook for 8-9 minutes until just shy of al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
  2. While pasta cooks, fry 8 slices of bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and crumble into bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, bake bacon at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ½ cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon chopped chives, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, chop 2 cups romaine lettuce, and thinly slice 3 green onions.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled pasta with crumbled bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and green onions.
  6. Pour the homemade ranch dressing over the salad and gently fold until evenly coated. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed.
  7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and chill. Stir gently before serving and garnish with extra fresh chives and bacon if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; cook just shy of al dente. Crisp bacon is essential for texture and flavor. Fresh herbs in ranch dressing enhance flavor significantly. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Stir in a splash of buttermilk or milk if salad is too thick after chilling. Keep lettuce separate if prepping ahead to avoid sogginess. Use gluten-free pasta and vegan substitutes for dairy-free or gluten-free adaptations.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, homemade ranch dressing, bacon pasta salad, picnic salad, potluck recipe, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-ranch-dressing-delight/