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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Crispy Bacon and Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, tender pasta, fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a smooth avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for picnics, BBQs, or quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) elbow macaroni or small shell pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon (Applewood-smoked preferred)
  • 2 cups shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or whole milk as substitute)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional add-ins: thinly sliced red onion or chopped green onions

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices of thick-cut bacon in a single layer. Cook, flipping occasionally, until crisp but not burnt, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine 1 ripe avocado, ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Halve 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes and shred 2 cups romaine lettuce. Optionally, thinly slice red or green onions for extra bite.
  5. In a large bowl, add cooled pasta, chopped bacon, shredded lettuce, and halved tomatoes. Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the top.
  6. Using two large spoons or salad tongs, toss everything carefully to coat all ingredients with the creamy dressing without bruising the lettuce. The pasta should glisten with dressing, and bacon bits should be evenly distributed.
  7. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Toss again briefly before plating. Add lettuce last if prepping earlier to avoid sogginess.

Notes

For best texture, cook pasta al dente and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Crisp bacon slowly to avoid burnt spots. Add lettuce just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp. Dressing can be made ahead and chilled. Toss gently to avoid bruising lettuce. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, substitute buttermilk with almond milk and use dairy-free mayo.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, avocado ranch dressing, summer salad, picnic salad, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/creamy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-crispy-bacon-and-avocado-ranch-dressing/