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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy creamy BLT pasta salad featuring crispy bacon, fresh romaine, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or casual meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
  • 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) sour cream
  • 1 tsp fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, place 8 slices of thick-cut bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. Cook, turning occasionally, until crispy and browned, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, chop into bite-size pieces.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tsp fresh dill, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried parsley, 1 tbsp lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust buttermilk to reach your preferred dressing thickness. Let the dressing sit for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  4. Roughly chop 3 cups romaine lettuce, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, thinly slice 2 green onions, and shred 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese if using. Dry the lettuce thoroughly after washing to avoid watering down the salad.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crispy bacon pieces, lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, and shredded cheddar. Pour the ranch dressing over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors marry. Give it a gentle toss and serve chilled or at cool room temperature.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Dry lettuce thoroughly to avoid watery salad. Save a tablespoon of bacon grease to sauté green onions for extra smoky flavor. Let dressing sit for 10 minutes before mixing. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Can substitute gluten-free pasta and dairy-free mayo and sour cream for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, ranch dressing, bacon pasta salad, summer salad, barbecue side dish

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