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Creamy BLT Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Ranch Dressing Delight

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

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • For the ranch dressing:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tsp vinegar)
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: fresh chives or dill for garnish
  • Optional: Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for lighter dressing

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces rotini and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and prevent sticking. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 8 slices thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat. Once cool, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Chop 2 cups romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes and finely dice 1/4 cup red onion. Keep veggies chilled until ready to toss.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1 tsp dried parsley, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp fresh lemon juice. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. Pour ranch dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly. Start with most of the dressing and add more if desired.
  6. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Toss gently again before plating and garnish with fresh chives or dill if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Cook bacon until just crispy and drain well to avoid greasy salad. Homemade ranch dressing with fresh lemon juice adds brightness. Chill salad before serving to meld flavors and thicken dressing. Toss gently to keep lettuce crisp and pasta intact.

Nutrition

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

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