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Crispy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe with Avocado Ranch Dressing

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A quick and easy pasta salad combining crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a creamy homemade avocado ranch dressing for a refreshing twist on the classic BLT.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped and cooked until crispy
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce or chopped romaine
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • ½ cup toasted croutons or homemade crispy bread cubes
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or regular milk plus 1 tsp lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill or parsley
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 slices of chopped thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
  3. If making homemade croutons, cut day-old bread into small cubes and toast in bacon fat over medium heat until golden and crunchy. Skip if using store-bought croutons.
  4. In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, and chopped dill or parsley. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Add more buttermilk if dressing is too thick.
  5. Add cooled pasta, crispy bacon, cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, toasted croutons, and green onions to the large bowl. Pour dressing over and gently toss to coat evenly.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Chill salad for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

For dairy-free, use vegan mayo and almond milk instead of mayonnaise and buttermilk. Swap bacon with smoked tempeh or coconut bacon flakes for vegetarian/vegan version. Toast croutons in bacon fat for extra flavor or use store-bought. Toss salad gently to avoid wilting lettuce. Keep croutons separate until serving to maintain crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: BLT pasta salad, avocado ranch dressing, crispy bacon salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, crowd-pleaser, creamy dressing

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/crispy-blt-pasta-salad-recipe-with-avocado-ranch-dressing-easy-and-perfect/