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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Bacon Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade smoky bacon ranch dressing. Perfect for busy days, casual gatherings, and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta (or your favorite short pasta shape)
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
  • 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce or iceberg
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp lemon juice as a substitute)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 slices cooked bacon, finely crumbled (for dressing)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (9-11 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large bowl.
  2. While the pasta cooks, cook 6 slices of thick-cut bacon until crispy in a skillet over medium heat, about 6-8 minutes, flipping once. Drain on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve 3 slices worth of finely crumbled bacon for the dressing.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, and ¼ cup buttermilk. Add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried dill, and 2 tbsp freshly chopped chives. Stir in the finely crumbled bacon. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add more buttermilk if dressing is too thick.
  4. To the cooled pasta, add 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, the chopped crispy bacon, and ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (if using). Pour the bacon ranch dressing over the top.
  5. Gently toss everything together until well coated with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
  6. Give the salad a final toss before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente texture is key. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and cool quickly. Cook bacon until crispy but not burnt for best texture. Whisk dressing thoroughly to combine flavors. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Add fresh lettuce just before serving if storing leftovers to keep crispness. Bacon can be baked at 400°F for 15-20 minutes as an alternative to skillet cooking.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-bacon-ranch-dressing-easy-and-best/