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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing Guide

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A creamy BLT pasta salad combining smoky bacon, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, sharp cheddar, and a homemade ranch dressing for a fresh, nostalgic comfort food perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) rotini pasta
  • 6–8 thick-cut bacon strips
  • 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • For the homemade ranch dressing:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ⅓ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Let it drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add bacon strips and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping as needed. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Chop romaine lettuce, halve cherry tomatoes, and slice green onions thinly. Shred sharp cheddar cheese if not pre-shredded.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, and sour cream until smooth. Add garlic powder, dried dill, dried parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Whisk again until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, romaine, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and shredded cheddar. Pour the ranch dressing over the top and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Give it a gentle toss again just before serving.

Notes

Avoid dressing the pasta while warm to prevent sogginess. Cool pasta completely before mixing. For thinner ranch dressing, add more buttermilk; for thicker, add more mayo or sour cream. Chill salad at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Add splash of buttermilk or mayo if salad seems dry after chilling.

Nutrition

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

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